Roadtrip with RVshare Minneapolis to Seattle

If you want to spend plenty of time driving through some gorgeous, rugged country all the way to the beautiful Puget Sound, then this Minneapolis to Seattle road trip may be right for you. You'll be able to see all the stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and natural beauty you could ever want in the form of some great national and state parks. There are also multiple great towns to explore that are packed with interesting places to visit. Crafting the perfect road trip itinerary from Minneapolis to Seattle is simple, so let's get started!

Nearby National Parks

Theodore Roosevelt National Park  

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is less than one mile from Medora, North Dakota. This park is a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt and features three different sections that include badlands, prairies, and a portion of the Little Missouri River. It's an outstanding place to view bison, so if you want to see a thundering herd, this is the park to visit. At this park, you can go backcountry camping, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and more. 

Yellowstone National Park  

Several decades before Theodore Roosevelt became president, President Ulysses S. Grant created Yellowstone National Park. Once you drive an hour south of Livingston, Montana, to visit this park, you'll understand what drove Grant to designate it as America's first national park. Iconic features like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and more await you here. There are some great trails that can take you on a rugged adventure, but there are easier trails as well if you would prefer a more leisurely walk through this extraordinary landscape. 

Grand Teton National Park  

Grand Teton National Park is only 10 minutes south of Yellowstone and an hour and 10 minutes from Livingston, so how could you not stop on your road trip from Minneapolis to Seattle? More than 200 miles of trails give you the means to explore this magical world of clear mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls, and, of course, mountaintop peaks. This is a great place to go horseback riding, backcountry camping, and mountaineering. You can also take a scenic drive through this gorgeous mountain paradise.

Glacier National Park  

Three hours north of Missoula, MT, you’ll find the entrance to Glacier National Park. While you can, of course, find many glaciers here, you'll also be able to explore multiple different ecosystems in this million-acre park that's aptly referred to as the "Crown of the Continent." There are 734 miles of trails in this park and more than 130 named lakes, so you won't have a hard time finding adventure and beauty here. Hiking, biking, fishing, backcountry camping, and more are popular at this rugged park. 

Mount Rainier National Park  

Mount Rainier National Park is one of Seattle's most beloved symbols, so you should definitely see it before you end your Minneapolis to Seattle RV road trip. It's less than two hours from Bellevue or Snoqualmie, so reaching this 14,410-foot mountain isn't difficult. Exploring the park is also easy thanks to the bevy of trails ranging in difficulty from easy to hard. You can summit the mountain itself, but you can also explore its base and slopes. Wildflowers, old-growth forests, glaciers, valleys, and more are on display here.

Nearby State Parks

Glacial Lakes State Park  

A little more than 20 minutes outside of St. Cloud, MN, you'll find Glacial Lakes State Park. Signalness Lake is full of walleye, crappie, pike, sunfish, and more, so it's a great place to fish. You can also paddle, kayak, or canoe on the lake or take advantage of the mile and a half of shoreline along the lake. If you keep your eyes open, you might be able to spot a cougar, bobcat, timber wolf, or another animal that calls this park home.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park  

Just southwest of Bismarck, SD, on the banks of the Missouri River is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. This thousand-acre park is home to multiple historical buildings as well as an assortment of wildlife. You'll be able to visit On-A-Slant Indian Village, Custer house, and more here. Nearly seven miles of trails provide great places for hiking, biking, and riding, while the Heart River and Missouri River both serve as great fishing areas. 

Missouri Headwaters State Park  

Half an hour beyond Bozeman, MT, you’ll drive past Missouri Headwaters State Park. Multiple rivers split off from the Missouri here, so you'll have your pick of top-notch fishing and boating locations. You can hike, bike, and ride on four miles of trails and hunt during the off-season of the park. Speaking of seasonal activities, be sure to check the park's calendar for special events if you're visiting during the summer.

Farragut State Park  

As you pass through the panhandle of Idaho, add Farragut State Park to your road trip itinerary from Minneapolis to Seattle. It's only 40 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene, so it's fairly close to your route. This park gives you access to Lake Pend Oreille, which is a great place to swim, fish, and boat. The park also boasts an 18-hole disc golf course and a naval history museum.

Riverside State Park  

Less than 20 minutes northwest of Spokane, you’ll encounter Riverside State Park. This 9,000-plus-acre park was once the site of a bustling fur trade outpost, so there's plenty of fascinating local history to learn. You'll be able to take advantage of the 55 miles of trails in the park. The Spokane River is a great place to go boating and fishing; you can even go rock climbing and water skiing here.

Along the Way

Fargo Air Museum

At Fargo Air Museum, seven minutes from Downtown Fargo, you can explore two large hangars of historical aircraft. Many of the planes still fly, so you might be able to watch one fly into the wild blue yonder. You can take a self-guided tour, an audio tour, or a scheduled tour with a pilot guide.

Dakota Zoo  

Before you head across the Missouri River to explore Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, you should travel seven minutes from Downtown Bismarck and visit the Dakota Zoo first. There are plenty of endangered animals to see here; you can also buy souvenirs at the Antler Trading Post or take a ride on a couple of zoo trains.

Moss Mansion  

Five minutes from the heart of Billings is Moss Mansion, which is a lovely turn-of-the-century home you can tour. You'll enjoy looking at the opulent décor, intriguing architecture, and maybe even some seasonal decorations. The gift shop has some classy keepsakes you can buy to remember your visit to Moss Mansion.

Museum of the Rockies  

If you want to view one of the world's largest dinosaur fossil collections on your Minneapolis to Seattle RV road trip, then you'll want to visit the Museum of the Rockies, which is six minutes from Downtown Bozeman. There are more than bones here, however. You can also view other exhibits featuring art from around the world and memorabilia from multiple time periods.

Riverfront Spokane  

Three minutes from the heart of Spokane on the Spokane River, you'll find Riverfront Spokane. At this nice downtown park, you'll be able to walk along the Spokane River, see Spokane Falls, and take in some seasonal entertainment. You can also ride the Looff Carousel and the Numerica SkyRide.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Fargo, North Dakota  

The Red River serves as the border between North Dakota and Minnesota; Fargo is right on the other side of the Red River. Multiple dump stations and campgrounds are available locally. Places to stop include the Red River Zoo and the Fargo-Moorhead Visitors Center. 

Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck is North Dakota's capital, so it's worth exploring. You’ll be able to find plenty of dump stations and campgrounds close by. Be sure to check out the North Dakota State Capitol and the Dakota Zoo. 

Billings, Montana  

Nestled on the banks of the Yellowstone River is Billings, Montana. Many dump stations and campgrounds are present in the area. ZooMontana and Pictograph Cave State Park are great places to visit. 

Missoula, Montana  

If you want to explore some of the northern parts of the Rockies, then Missoula is a great place to visit. You’ll easily find some quality dump stations and campgrounds in the area. Stop by A Carousel for Missoula and the Aerial Firefighter & Smokejumper Center.

Spokane, Washington  

Spokane is home to lovely locations like Manito Park and Spokane Falls. There are several dump stations and campgrounds nearby for convenience.

Find Adventure from Minneapolis to Seattle

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Minneapolis to Seattle, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Minneapolis or Seattle.