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Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary (3–5 Days)

Looking for an Olympic Peninsula road trip itinerary? This guide covers the best route, top stops, and how to include Sequim’s lavender farms in your trip.

 

The Olympic Peninsula in Washington State is one of the most diverse landscapes in the United States. In a single trip you can explore glacier-covered mountains, moss-covered rainforests, rugged Pacific beaches, and small coastal towns.

This Olympic Peninsula road trip itinerary covers many of the region’s highlights including Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, the Pacific Coast beaches, and the lavender farms of Sequim. Whether you have three days or five, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable drive around Washington’s wild Olympic Peninsula.

Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary Overview

The Olympic Peninsula is located in northwest Washington and is largely centered around Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse ecosystems.

Most visitors complete the drive as a loop around the peninsula using Highway 101, starting from Seattle or the Puget Sound region.

Typical travel highlights include:

• Hurricane Ridge
• Lake Crescent
• Hoh Rainforest
• Ruby Beach
• Rialto Beach
• Cape Flattery
• Sequim Lavender Farms

Driving the entire loop usually takes 3–5 days depending on how many stops you make.

Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Itinerary

Stop in Sequim (Don’t Skip This)

Sequim is one of the most unique stops on the Olympic Peninsula, known for its sunny climate and lavender farms.

If you’re visiting in late June through July, this is peak lavender season—when fields are in full bloom and farms are open to visitors.

Featured Stop: B&B Family Lavender Farm

If you only visit one lavender farm, make it B&B Family Lavender Farm.

  • The largest organic lavender farm in Sequim

  • Wide open fields (less crowded, more relaxed)

  • Free informational tours

  • Lavender distillation during peak season

👉 Plan your visit:

👉 Shop online:

👉 See all nearby farms:

Hurricane Ridge

Tip:

Hurricane Ridge weather can change quickly. Even in summer it can be significantly colder at elevation, so bringing a jacket is recommended.

Day 1 – Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge, and Lake Crescent

Many Olympic Peninsula road trips begin in Port Angeles, a small waterfront town that serves as a gateway to Olympic National Park.

Start your day with a drive up to Hurricane Ridge, one of the most scenic viewpoints in the park. On clear days you can see the Olympic Mountains stretching across the horizon and even views of Vancouver Island in the distance.

After exploring Hurricane Ridge, drive west toward Lake Crescent, a deep glacial lake surrounded by forest and mountains.

Popular stops here include:

• Marymere Falls hike
• Lake Crescent Lodge
• Scenic lake viewpoints

Lake Crescent is one of the most beautiful lakes in Washington and a great place to stretch your legs before continuing west.

Hurricane Ridge

Tip:

Hurricane Ridge weather can change quickly. Even in summer it can be significantly colder at elevation, so bringing a jacket is recommended.

Day 2 – Pacific Coast Beaches

Continue west along Highway 101 toward the rugged Pacific coastline. This part of the Olympic Peninsula is famous for dramatic sea stacks, driftwood-covered beaches, and powerful ocean waves.

Some of the most famous beaches include:

• Ruby Beach
• Rialto Beach
• Second Beach
• Shi Shi Beach

Ruby Beach is one of the most photographed locations in Olympic National Park thanks to its sea stacks and tide pools.

Rialto Beach, near the town of Forks, offers dramatic coastal scenery and hiking opportunities such as the Hole-in-the-Wall hike.

second beach

Tip:

Check the tide charts before visiting Olympic Peninsula beaches. Many of the best tide pools and coastal features are only visible during low tide.

Day 3 – Hoh Rainforest

The Hoh Rainforest is one of the most unique ecosystems in the United States. This temperate rainforest receives over 140 inches of rain each year, creating lush moss-covered forests filled with towering Sitka spruce and western hemlock.

Popular trails include:

• Hall of Mosses
• Spruce Nature Trail
• Hoh River Trail

Walking through the Hoh Rainforest feels like stepping into another world, with thick green moss draping the trees and a quiet stillness throughout the forest.

Hoh Rain Forest

Tip:

Arrive early in the morning if possible. The Hoh Rainforest entrance line can become long during peak summer travel months.

Day 4 – Cape Flattery and Neah Bay

For one of the most spectacular views in Washington State, drive north to Cape Flattery, the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States.

The short forest trail leads to cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean where sea stacks and rugged islands rise from the water.

Nearby attractions include:

• Cape Flattery Trail
• Neah Bay
• Makah Museum
• Shi Shi Beach

This remote corner of the Olympic Peninsula offers incredible scenery and a glimpse into the culture of the Makah Tribe.

Cape Flattery

Tip:

Fill up on gas and bring food before heading to Neah Bay. Services are limited in this remote part of the peninsula.

Day 5 – Sequim Lavender Farms

Before completing your Olympic Peninsula road trip, stop in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, known as the Lavender Capital of North America.

Sequim sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, creating a surprisingly dry climate ideal for growing lavender.

During summer, visitors can explore beautiful lavender fields and small family farms throughout the valley.

Some farms to visit include:

• B&B Family Lavender Farm
• Lavender Connection
• Jardin du Soleil
• Victor’s Lavender
• Nelson’s Duck Pond Lavender

Lavender typically blooms from late June through July, with peak bloom occurring during the Sequim Lavender Festival in mid-July.

Walking through the purple fields and enjoying the fragrance of fresh lavender is one of the most memorable experiences on the Olympic Peninsula.

Best Time to See Lavender

From the Farm:

At B&B Family Lavender Farm, we grow organic lavender in the Sequim rain shadow and welcome visitors looking for a peaceful experience in the fields without the crowds or festival vendors.

How Long Do You Need for an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip?

While it’s technically possible to drive the Olympic Peninsula in a single day, most visitors should plan 3–5 days to fully enjoy the region.

Recommended timelines:

3 Days
Port Angeles → Beaches → Hoh Rainforest → Sequim

4 Days
Add Cape Flattery and extra beach time.

5 Days
Explore the peninsula at a relaxed pace with additional hiking and scenic stops.

Marymere Falls

Best Time for an Olympic Peninsula Road Trip

The best time to visit the Olympic Peninsula is late spring through early fall.

Seasonal highlights:

Spring – waterfalls and wildflowers
Summer – best weather and lavender bloom
Fall – fewer crowds and beautiful forests
Winter – dramatic storm watching on the coast

July is one of the most popular months to visit thanks to the Sequim Lavender Festival and peak summer weather.

Planning Your Olympic Peninsula Loop

Most travelers start their Olympic Peninsula road trip from Seattle, reaching the peninsula via ferry or by driving south through Tacoma and Olympia.

Common routes include:

Seattle → Bainbridge Ferry → Port Angeles
Seattle → Tacoma → Highway 101 Loop

Either route connects to the scenic drive around Olympic National Park.

Seattle Ferry

Why the Olympic Peninsula Is One of the Best Road Trips in the U.S.

Few places in North America offer the incredible variety of landscapes found on the Olympic Peninsula.

Within a few hours of driving you can experience:

• alpine mountains
• rainforest ecosystems
• wild Pacific beaches
• quiet farming valleys

Whether you’re exploring national park trails, walking along ocean beaches, or visiting the lavender farms of Sequim, an Olympic Peninsula road trip offers one of the most unforgettable travel experiences in Washington State.

Olympic National Park

Plan Your Visit to the Olympic Peninsula

Visit B&B Family Lavender Farm

If you're visiting Sequim during lavender season, B&B Family Lavender Farm offers a relaxed, less crowded experience with wide open fields and handcrafted lavender products.

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