My wife and I are planning to fly into Portland and do a drive to Seattle in January. Is this a bad idea?

Question

I'm concerned that it will be dangerous due to the weather. I know about all that rain up there. How long is the drive anyway?

We're doing this trip because we're considering the pacific northwest to move to. Portland and Seattle are both places under consideration; and we just wanted a first hand experience of both places. We don't have to do the drive in one day. Most likely stop somewhere in between for a day.

Answer 1

Good idea to check the area out in January. You'll get a firsthand look at the dreaded PNW rain.

As everyone else has mentioned, the roads will be wet, but likely fine - especially during the day. If there is snow or ice, it will be a news event and won't last long.

Alaska Airlines just lowered their shuttle rates between Seattle and Portland so it may be worth looking into.

Not too many places of interest to stop (aside from pleasant scenery). There's is the Gospodor memorial near Vader, WA which is worth a gawk, but be careful, as you'll have to pull over on the freeway to get a closer look.

Centralia, WA is a good stopover for a break. It's midway between Portland and Seattle and there's a few fast food places and a Starbucks to pull into.

In Centralia you could also stop at the McMenamin's Olympic property for an Oregon experience in Washington. McMenamins runs a "chain" of pubs and hotels mostly in Portland that brews decent beer (average to good for Portland but FANTASTIC compared to most beer in the US).

If you drive into the Seattle area at the wrong time, the traffic can be brutal from Tacoma all the way to Everett, so plan accordingly.

Answer 2

The drive usually takes me about 2 1/2 hours-3 hours, depending on traffic. I've made the drive in January before, most times it's raining but as long as you don't drive crazy fast the roads are fine. Of course there is the occasional bit of snow, but usually a well traveled road like I-5 is ok unless the weather is really bad, which is rare.

There are not that many really interesting places to stop for the night in between the two cities as most people just make the drive all in the same day, though there are places with hotels to stop.

Answer 3

you should be fine, drive from portland to seattle might take you about 3 hours, depending on traffic. At most there could be rain and cool. I would keep up with weather reports but chances are good there won't be snow. There rarely is snow that sticks around for very long(if we get any at all). look at arthurfrommerstravel.com its a great site for travel advice. FREE

Answer 4

From PDX to Seattle it's about a 3 hour drive. There should be no problems as generally this side of the Cascades gets rain but not much in the way of snow. If the temp drops, I-5 can get some ice but that is not a common occurence.

Answer 5

yes I would just fly into Seattle I know you want to see the scenary in Portland to Seattle the weather is bad due to rainny season very wet on the highway 5 the drive between Portland to Seattle is Total Est. Time: 2 hours, 49 minutes Total Est. Distance: 173.57 miles good taht almost three hours and have a good time. if you have anymore question feel free to email me at bayareaman1972#yahoo.com

Answer 6

It is a pretty drive, even in rainy winter time. It takes about three hours and the roads are nice. Is there a strong reason that you are not flying to Seattle?

Answer 7

the drive is about 3 hours and its all on the highway so even in reasonably bad weather you should be fine. We rarely get snow so it is unlikely that this will be a concern.

Answer 8

It is about 3 hours drive