Roadtrip with RVshare Phoenix to Seattle

A Phoenix to Seattle road trip should top the list for any traveler interested in a fascinating journey. One of the most popular routes for this trip, U.S. Route 93, also known in parts of Arizona as the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway, offers plenty of diverse landscapes that present abundant photo opportunities. As you venture north of Phoenix and get closer to Las Vegas, you'll encounter a mixture of desert and mountain scenery. Majestic rock formations and cacti that come into full bloom every spring are a part of the scene here. Some of the natural landmarks you can see on your trip include Grand Canyon National Park, Great Basin National Park and North Cascades National Park. As you approach Seattle, Olympic National Park is a perfect way to finish your road trip.

Nearby National Parks

Your Phoenix to Seattle RV road trip is a great way to take some side trips to see some of the most beautiful national parks the country has to offer. Each of the states you'll travel through has some stunning scenery to see, and the respective parks provide a mixture of memorable sights and activities to pursue.

Grand Canyon National Park

While you're on your Phoenix to Seattle RV road trip, you won't want to miss the chance to take a detour to see Grand Canyon National Park. The deep canyon is one of the world's wonders, so it's no surprise that so many people visit yearly. Temperatures can get quite hot in this region, especially down inside the canyon, making some caution while hiking a necessity. However, the river provides a good bit of relief from the heat in the form of rafting. Hiking and mule riding are popular ways to travel down to the canyon floor.

Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park, located in eastern Nevada, is a convenient trip along your route. The scenery is comprised of a beautiful mixture of desert and mountain scenery. Go on a hike to see some of the bristlecone pine groves or watch bighorn sheep. This park is host to the Lehman Caves that boast some of the most impressive rock formations in the region and are also open to exploration. 

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park in Washington is a great place to visit on your road trip from Phoenix to Seattle. The mountains, ancient forests and glaciers are all worth seeing, each offering their own unique form of beauty in their setting. One of the best things about this park is that there are plenty of unspoiled hiking trails you can enjoy and use to take your time watching wildlife.

Olympic National Park

The icing on the cake on your road trip itinerary from Phoenix to Seattle is the opportunity to visit Olympic National Park in Washington. Hiking is a popular activity in this park with its varied ecosystems. If climbing is an activity you enjoy, you'll have plenty of chances to do so here. The rainforest areas are some of the most scenic places in the state.

Nearby State Parks

Each of the states you'll travel through has parks of their own that are worth a visit, offering many of the same types of activities popular in national parks. Your Phoenix to Seattle road trip should include some of these if you're looking for areas that are less crowded. 

Cattail Cove State Park

Cattail Cove State Park is on Lake Havasu in Arizona and offers beautiful mountain views with stunning sunsets. Swimming, fishing and recreational boating are all popular activities that you can take advantage of virtually all year. Be sure to bring plenty of water when hiking as it tends to get quite warm here.

Ainsworth State Park

Ainsworth State Park in Oregon stands out for offering waterfalls along with impressive rock formations. Hiking trails provide a sufficient challenge for all ability levels and offer chances to see various types of wildlife and birds. If you're lucky, you might even spot some of the eagles that provide the inspiration for Eagle Creek's name.

Dash Point State Park

Dash Point State Park is one of Washington's smaller state parks, but it easily rivals other parks in the state with its beauty. The park's beach setting is a perfect place for relaxation activities, including building sandcastles or working on your tan. Water sports like canoeing or kayaking are popular in this location, especially since the water is known to be calm the majority of the time.

Along the Way

The Hoover Dam  

Constructed between 1931 and 1936 on the Arizona-Nevada border near Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a leading source for hydropower in the region. This dam is one of the world's largest concrete structures, serving as an example of impressive engineering. The size of the dam alone is a marvel that makes a trip well worth your time, and the dam is one of the most popular attractions in the area. Take a tour of the inside of the dam, or walk across the top of it from Nevada to Arizona, and vice versa, as the state line goes right through the dam.

City of Rocks National Reserve

The granite rocks at this park in Idaho have attracted visitors since the days when settlers traversed the California Trail. The spires and boulders were popular places for the Shoshone tribe to make camp. Photographers and birders find this area fascinating, and there are abundant opportunities for hiking and climbing, offering a bit of something for everyone.

Multnomah Falls

Standing at over 600 feet, Multnomah Falls is Oregon's highest waterfall, and it's also one of the most well-known landmarks in the state. A footbridge provides easy access to the falls for a closer look. The viewing platform is a perfect spot to get photos of the waterfall.

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is Washington state's highest mountain as well as an active volcano. The area surrounding the mountain is heavily forested with pine trees. During the spring and summer months, the nearby meadows have an abundance of colorful flowers. This mountain is a landmark that's easy to see from Seattle.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Las Vegas, NV

Las Vegas is not only famous for its casinos and nightlife, but it also has noteworthy parks nearby. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is one of the most interesting outdoor areas near Las Vegas, offering an abundance of opportunities for hikers and climbers, and your Phoenix to Seattle road trip will provide even more choices for outdoor adventure if you keep such areas in mind. The Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort is a campground that also has a dump station. You can also purchase potable water and propane here, both of which may be necessary in some areas. This RV park also has a casino, so it's a location where you'll want to get your space reserved quickly.

Boise, ID

The capital of Idaho, Boise is a viable city to consider if you're staying overnight. The Boise River is a perfect place for fishing and other fun on the water. One of the most popular outdoor areas in the city, the Green Belt, is a perfect place to get out and about with a mountain bike. You'll find plenty of exciting restaurants downtown, representing many popular cuisine types. Hi Valley RV Park offers hookups for larger RVs as well as dump station capabilities. The park even provides hookups for drinking and wash water.

Yakima, WA

The Yakima area is host to apple orchards and wineries, which make the region popular with tourists from all corners. If you love the outdoors, you'll want to stroll through the Yakima Area Arboretum with its tree and garden collections. A network of trolleys services the area, saving you an extra drive. One of the city's highlights is the Yakima Valley Museum, hosting a working 1930s soda fountain. Yakima Sportsman State Park is a great place to park an RV that's not far from the downtown area. You have access to the river, which is an ideal fishing spot, and there are plenty of trails you can use to explore the area.

Find Adventure from Phoenix to Seattle

Find your One-Way Rental

A Phoenix to Seattle road trip is exciting enough on its own, but it offers the most enjoyment when you plan your itinerary carefully. One of the advantages of traveling via RV is not having to think about finding hotels along the way. If you're ready to take the road trip of your dreams but you don't have an RV, a rental from RVshare might be what you need.