VERDICT: We gave 5 out of 5 tickets and here’s why!
Day 1: Canada to Astoria
Day 2: Astoria to Cannon Beach
Day 3: Cannon Beach to Portland
Day 4: Portland to Mount St. Helens and Union
Day 5: Union to Canada
From the Sumas Border to Astoria, Cannon Beach, Portland, Mount St. Helens and Union, Washington, we’re hitting the road for five unforgettable days filled with ocean views, quirky towns, iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Follow along as we share real-time travel stories, videos and behind-the-scenes moments from one of North America’s most beautiful regions.
Not Just Another Road Trip
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones closest to home.
What started as a simple five-day getaway quickly became one of our most anticipated road trips yet.
Beginning just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, we’ll travel nearly 1,400 kilometres through Washington State and Oregon, crossing international borders and exploring some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic destinations.
Over five days we’ll discover fascinating history, spectacular coastlines, quirky roadside attractions, active volcanic landscapes and peaceful waterfront communities. But this isn’t just another road trip.
What do giant sea stacks, hidden trolls, fish and chips served from a boat in a parking lot, the world’s largest independent bookstore, the world’s smallest park, an infamous doughnut shop, a mysterious Octopus Tree, stories of Bigfoot and one of America’s most active volcanoes all have in common? They’re all part of this adventure.
The beauty of this itinerary is its balance.
There are no frantic schedules or exhausting days. Instead, we’ll travel at a comfortable pace that allows plenty of time to stop, explore and simply enjoy the journey.
Our route takes us through Washington State and Oregon, with overnight stops in Astoria, Cannon Beach, Portland and Union before returning home to British Columbia via Seattle. Along the way we’ll experience some of the Pacific Northwest’s most fascinating attractions.
In Astoria, one of America’s oldest settlements west of the Rocky Mountains, we’ll explore historic streets, search for the city’s famous trolls and sample fresh fish and chips served directly from a boat on the waterfront. The town’s rich maritime history, Victorian architecture and connection to classic films make it one of Oregon’s most interesting destinations.
We’ll then continue to Cannon Beach, widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the Oregon coastline. Towering sea stacks, endless sandy beaches and the iconic Haystack Rock create one of the most photographed landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Nearby we’ll also seek out the famous Octopus Tree, a bizarre and mysterious spruce that has puzzled visitors for generations.
Portland offers an entirely different experience. We’ll visit the infamous Voodoo Doughnuts, one of the city’s most recognizable attractions, along with Powell’s City of Books, the largest independent bookstore in the world. We’ll also stop at Mill Ends Park, officially recognized as the world’s smallest park, proving once again that Portland proudly embraces the unusual and proudly weird.
From there the journey turns toward one of North America’s most dramatic natural landmarks. Mount St. Helens remains one of the most active volcanoes in the United States and the site of the catastrophic 1980 eruption that forever changed the surrounding landscape. The forests around the mountain are also home to countless Bigfoot legends, adding a little mystery to an already unforgettable destination.
Our final overnight stop takes us to Union, Washington, situated on the shores of Hood Canal. Surrounded by forests, mountains and waterfront scenery, it’s the perfect place to slow down and reflect on the experiences of the previous days before beginning the drive home.
Sometimes the road itself is just as rewarding as the destinations.
This master guide will eventually connect all of our individual stories, destination guides, videos, costs, tips and behind-the-scenes experiences from every stop along the journey.
Join us as we hit the road and discover why the Pacific Northwest remains one of North America’s most diverse and rewarding road trip destinations.
🗺️ Our Road Trip At A Glance (1,397 kms)
DAY ONE
🇨🇦 Vancouver Area – Fraser Valley
🇺🇸 Sumas Border Crossing
☕ Sumas, Washington
☕ Bellingham & Fairhaven
🌊 Astoria, Oregon
DAY TWO
🏖️ Cannon Beach
DAY THREE
📚 Portland
🌋 Mount St. Helens
🌲 Union, Washington
DAY FOUR
⛴️ Bremerton Ferry
🌆 Seattle
🍽️ Lynden
🇨🇦 Sumas Border
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
