Car rental Washington State

With its wide open roads and outstanding scenery, Washington is made for exploring by car. The main cities and towns are connected by a well-maintained network of roads that include three major interstates – I-90, I-82 and I-5.

The longest of these is I-90, which runs all the way from Seattle on the west coast to Spokane in the east, before crossing into Idaho. Along the way, it provides access to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as well as destinations including Moses Lake and Sprague.

Meanwhile, the I-82 begins just off I-90 at the town of Ellensburg and runs south into Oregon, passing through Yakima and the Tri-Cities area. The I-5 is another north to south route, which connects Seattle with the state capital, Olympia as well as Portland city.

The interstates provide useful connections between major cities, but the best views of Washington can be found on its scenic byways. There are 25 to choose from, so with car rental in Washington you’ll be able to take your pick.

Highlights include the Cascade Loop, a route of over 700 kilometres that takes in Everett, Leavenworth and Wenatchee. You’ll come across beautiful views of forests, mountains and islands along the way on this route.

For a shorter journey, try the Coulee Corridor, a 240-kilometre byway through Washington’s dry canyons, formed by floodwaters that flowed through the state thousands of years ago. You can even stop off at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, where canoeing, hiking and fishing are all popular activities.

Washington has similar driving laws to the rest of the US – you’ll drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left only when there’s a dashed yellow or white line between lanes. The speed limit on rural freeways is 70mph (112km/h) and falls to 55mph (88km/h) on most urban routes, and 30mph (48km/h) or lower in built-up and residential areas.

Seattle sights

The biggest city in Washington, Seattle is the perfect place to begin your journey. Landmarks not to be missed include the iconic Space Needle, a 600-foot high observation tower, originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair.

The glass floor on its lower observation deck, known as the Loupe, offers breathtaking panoramic views while the glass benches known as Skyrisers on the open-air level allow you to lean back over the city below. Parking is available at the base and the attraction offers a valet service.

Once you’re back at ground level head for Pike Place, Seattle’s original farmer’s market. Here you’ll find hundreds of stores, restaurants and independent vendors selling everything from fresh flowers to seafood.

Browse for souvenirs at the craft market, indulge your sweet tooth at one of the bakeries or enjoy fine dining at restaurants offering everything from sushi to Hawaiian-style poke bowls. No matter what you choose, you won’t leave hungry. 

Scenic landscapes

When you rent a car in Washington, you’ll also be able to explore the state’s spectacular natural landscapes. Olympic National Park boasts almost a million acres of breathtaking coastline, mountains and even rain forests.

Highlights include boating and kayaking on Lake Crescent, scenic hiking routes as well as wildlife viewing with deer, Olympic marmots and whales visible from many parts of the park.

If you’re planning to stay overnight, you’ll find year-round accommodation open at Kalaloch Lodge, as well as seasonal lodging at areas including Lake Crescent. You’ll be treated to spectacular views of the stars thanks to the lack of light pollution within the park.

To the east lies Mount Rainier National Park, home to waterfalls, an inland rain forest and various wildlife- you may see a few grizzly bears roaming the area. In the winter, the mountain itself offers outstanding skiing and snowboarding facilities.

Traffic can be heavy heading into the park during the summer and some routes are subject to seasonal closures, so it’s worth planning in advance and allowing plenty of time for your journey.

Island getaways

With Washington car rental, you’ll also be able to take a trip to explore the San Juan islands, which you’ll find just off the mainland in the area known as Puget Sound. Park up your car and take the ferry out to the largest island, Orcas, just over an hour from the city of Anacortes.

Here you’ll find stunning mountain and woodland scenery, as well as a thriving community of art galleries, studios and shops where you can browse for products made by local artists. Not far from the island’s largest town, Eastsound, you’ll find Moran State Park, home to Mount Constitution. Here you can enjoy spectacular views of the water and surrounding islands.

Other popular activities include bike tours of the countryside as well as kayaking in the fjords. The most popular of activities? Seasonal whale watching excursions that take in Orcas Island and other big islands such as Lopez and San Juan. With Washington car rental, all this and more is within easy reach.