Any road trip worth taking begins in a beautiful destination—Portland, Oregon is such a place. When your journey begins at Portland International Airport (PDX) and ends at the San Juan Islands, you can expect to be entertained from start to finish. In this road trip itinerary, we’ll take you from PDX, through Seattle to Anacortes, WA, where you’ll dock a ferry to the San Juan Islands. Along the way, we’ll give you optional travel destinations and detours to fit your specific interests.
But first, your rental car.
Once you collect your luggage, head to the Avis PDX car rental location for your road trip transport. For a trip of this nature, almost any vehicle will do, but if you’re not pleased with the size or model you chose, you can always stop at one of our other locations in Portland for a quick swap -- or any of our other US locations for that matter.
Once you’ve picked up your rental and stocked up on snacks, it’s time to decide how you’ll begin your road trip. You can choose to get right on I-205 and begin the beautiful coastal drive between Portland and Seattle, or you can take a 2-hour detour west for a nostalgic day trip to Haystack Rock for the Oregon Coast Goonies tour.
The Space Needle in Seattle, Washington is among the nation’s most iconic landmarks, therefore making it a must-see road trip travel destination. The 605-foot observation tower of futuristic architecture and cultural history is open to the public year-round. Buy a $19 ticket for a 43-second elevator ride to the observation level for a view you’ll never forget. You can also dine inside the Space Needle at the famous revolving SkyCity Restaurant 500 feet up.
The Olympic National Park is another optional detour on your way to the San Juan Islands. Once you’ve had your fun in Seattle, you can push on toward Anacortes or you can head west and arrive at the national park on the Olympic Peninsula of the Northwest in less than three hours.
The Olympic National Park stretches across almost one million acres and is comprised of stunning geographical diversity. Go kayaking in the Ozette, hike through temperate rainforests or ancient woods, camp out under the stars, or stay in a charmingly rustic lodge. Whatever you choose to do at the Olympic National Park, you can count on truly stunning natural beauty and breathtaking views.
Because the San Juan Islands are, well, islands, you will need to board a ferry in Anacortes, Washington. You can ride that ferry all the way to San Juan, or you can make a day of it and stop at another island on the way; however, the other three islands available to visit won’t be as wonderful as this one.
San Juan is a quaint little island that offers plenty of relaxation, serene views, and new experiences for everyone to enjoy. Go horseback riding, sailing, hiking, climbing, whale watching, biking, and so much more all in one place.
Ready to embark on a memorable road trip from Portland to the San Juan Islands? Get the best car rental deal from Avis and opt for our Fuel Plan to save time at the drop off. Happy travels!