📷 Photo by Brewing Cats on UnsplashNorth Cascades Highway
A turquoise lake below jagged peaks, a Wild West town and a Bavarian village in the Cascades.
- Distance
- 396 km (246 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 24 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 4
- States
- WA
- Updated
- September 14, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 396 km (246 mi) with 4 stops, from Seattle to Leavenworth. About 4 h 24 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Washington · More road trips from Seattle
Route description
From Seattle, head north on I-5 to Burlington, then east on WA-20 up the Skagit Valley, where the farmland narrows into a forested canyon. Past Newhalem, the Diablo Lake Overlook looks down on a reservoir turned bright milky turquoise by glacial flour, with the North Cascades peaks above.
The highway climbs over Rainy Pass and Washington Pass among granite spires, then drops into the drier Methow Valley to Winthrop, a small town with Western-style storefronts and boardwalks. There is no fuel for a long way east of Marblemount, so fill up before the climb, and note that the pass section is closed in winter, usually from November until spring.
From Winthrop, head south along the Methow and Columbia rivers to Wenatchee, then west on US-2 to Leavenworth, a village rebuilt in Bavarian style below the Cascades. Returning to Seattle on US-2 over Stevens Pass closes the loop.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Seattle
WA - 2183 km
Diablo Lake Overlook
ViewsNewhalem, WAGlacial flour turns this reservoir a bright milky turquoise below the North Cascades peaks.
- 387 km
Winthrop
WA - 4125 km
Leavenworth
WA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Seattle → Diablo Lake Overlook · 114 mi · 2 h 02 minOvernight nearby, for example: Newhalem Creek Campground (7 mi); Junction Hiker Camp (10 mi).
- Day 2: Diablo Lake Overlook → Winthrop · 54 mi · 0 h 58 minOvernight nearby, for example: Black Pine Lake Campground (12 mi); Chewuch Campground (14 mi).
- Day 3: Winthrop → Leavenworth · 78 mi · 1 h 23 minOvernight nearby, for example: Johnny Creek Campground (Lower) (7 mi); Johnny Creek Campground (Upper) (7 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is North Cascades Highway?
3-day road trip of about 396 km (246 mi) with 4 stops, from Seattle to Leavenworth. About 4 h 24 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for North Cascades Highway?
We suggest 3 days: about 4 h 24 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does North Cascades Highway start and end?
It starts in Seattle and ends in Leavenworth.
Which states does North Cascades Highway pass through?
Washington.
Where can you camp along North Cascades Highway?
OpenStreetMap lists 103 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Trailer Inns of Bellevue, Fay Bainbridge Park Campground and Manchester State Park Campground.
When is the best time for North Cascades Highway?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
