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Here at Car Tender, we are declaring 2022 the year of the road trip! Follow along as we share great road trips that you can take in 2022.

To start the year off, take a road trip up to Mount Baker for winter hikes, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing! Located near the Canadian border, the drive up to Mount Baker is worth it just for the stunning views of the North Cascades and surrounding areas. There are a variety of activities to do and each season brings new adventures that are fun for the whole family!

Visit the sand and the snow on the same trip by visiting Dungeness Spit and Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles. You can take a hike up the mountain and a stroll on the beach all on the same day! Located in Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge offers breathtaking views year-round. There are multiple hiking trails to choose from depending on your skill level. After trekking on the mountain, Dungeness Spit is the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the beach. If you are lucky, you may even be able to catch a glimpse of some whales! After a long day of exploring, Port Angeles offers great places to eat, shop, and stay. 

Mount Rainier’s Paradise region is a great place to take a road trip in the winter months! With lots of sledding hills and snowshoeing trails, this is a perfect weekend trip for anyone that loves the snow. Mount Rainier is one of Washington’s most popular road trip destinations for lots of great reasons. Just 60 miles from Seattle, this can be a quick day trip or you can spend the weekend exploring the mountain and doing all of the outdoor activities that the area has to offer. 

Take a drive south this winter to visit the Columbia Gorge! Enjoy stunning views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams on your road trip as you make your way along the Columbia River. There are lots of outdoor activities to do, or take a more relaxing approach and spend some time eating and shopping in Hood River. From wine tasting to skiing to hiking, there are so many activities to do in the area. Spend a weekend here and slow down from the stress of the big city. 

Chuckanut Drive is the perfect road trip to take if you want stunning views of the water. Start in Burlington and take the scenic 20-mile drive up to Bellingham to spend the day exploring all of the parks and restaurants. Bellingham Bay offers lots of opportunities to explore on the beach and on nearby trails. Oyster Dome is a popular hike in the area that offers stunning views of the bay. After a day by the water, downtown Bellingham has tons of great restaurants and local shops to enjoy.

Looking for a quick getaway from the city without going far? Bainbridge Island is just a short ferry ride from Seattle and has lots of locally-owned shops and restaurants, as well as outdoor activities like hiking and nature watching. The downtown area has a small-town charm and incredible options for grabbing a coffee in the morning and having an amazing dinner in the evening. During the day, there are so many beaches to visit and lots of creatures to see.

The Olympic National Park is one of the last temperate rainforests in the United States and it is right here in our backyard! It is about a two-hour drive from Seattle and is the perfect opportunity to truly immerse yourself in nature. Take a road trip to explore the stunning hiking trails and miles of coastline while staying in one of the small towns along the way. There are also lots of camping sites if you want the full outdoor experience.

A road trip to Whidbey Island has it all! Deception Pass has iconic views and lots of beaches and hiking trails to explore. After you explore, drive down to Coupeville to walk around the small town that has lots of charm and great places to eat. Fort Casey is a great place for the whole family to visit and get a quick history lesson. Langley is another town with locally-owned shops and restaurants to try. In between all of these places are tons of beaches and trails to wander for you to create your own adventure.

Mount Saint Helens is iconic in the state of Washington and has unbeatable views. Leave early in the morning to catch the amazing sunrise from the mountain! The three main areas on the mountain - Johnston Ridge, Windy Ridge, and Lava Canyon - offer tons of hiking trails and amazing views. In the warmer months, the wildflowers are a must-see!

Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington and has a ton of great things to offer. Starting in the heart of the city, Riverfront Park is a beautiful park just steps away from downtown that makes a great place to spend time outside without having to go far. The downtown area also has lots of great local restaurants and breweries to try out. If you want to get out of the city, there are some great hiking trails at Riverside State Park. Mount Spokane is also a great place to go if you are interested in winter activities.

If you love wildlife, especially eagles, take a road trip over to the Skagit River. In the late fall and winter, you can find one of the largest eagle migrations in the country! Located in the North Cascades, some of the best places to see the eagles are along Highway 20 including the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center and Howard Miller Steelhead Park. While you are up there, take the time to explore many of the hiking trails to get even more great views.

There is so much to see and do in the San Juan Islands! Once you make the drive up there, take one of the ferry rides to begin your adventure. There are ferries to Orcas Island, San Juan Island, and Lopez Island, and make sure you reserve a spot before you go! Orcas Island is the main island, but take your time and spend a weekend exploring each unique island. There are so many towns to visit and things to do, so you can customize your trip based on the type of activities you enjoy.

If you want to make a trip out of Washington without going too far, a road trip to Coeur d’Alene is the perfect getaway. This small town in Idaho is full of great activities for the whole family! Spend a few hours walking around the downtown area and eating at one of the local restaurants before taking a drive along the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway. This 35-mile drive along the lake has tons of great views of the surrounding nature and there are lots of places to stop and explore.

Located on the southern coast, Long Beach is the perfect spot to road trip to in Washington. Take a weekend to relax by exploring the beach and enjoying outdoor activities! Get out on the water to go fishing, clamming, and boating. If you prefer to stay on land, there are lots of trails to explore. The town also has lots of shopping and restaurants with freshly caught seafood.

A road trip worth taking is located just an hour and a half outside of Spokane, Priest Lake, Idaho is the perfect place for all your outdoor summer activities. With multiple resorts and miles of open water, Priest Lake is the perfect place to stay and play! When you’re done, wind down at the end of the day with a cocktail at one of the numerous restaurants and bars scattered around the lake.

Itching for some winter sports and a great road trip? Stevens Pass has you covered. Located at the crest of Washington’s Cascade Mountain range, Steven’s Pass is fun for the whole family. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, our 70+ runs ensure that there are runs for every skill level. When your done skiing for the day, why not grab a bite to eat at the Steven’s Pass restaurant or go shopping at the gift shop. With fantastic scenery and this much fun to be had, adding Steven’s Pass to your bucket list is a must!

If you’re looking for something a little more unique for your 2022 road trip, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the place for you. Spanning over 40 miles, the Oregon Dunes is more than just a spectacular view. They offer tons of recreational activities such as renting off-road vehicles, horseback riding, and canoeing.

Here is a road trip to put on the list, one of Oregon’s flagship ski resorts, Mount Hood is the best place to go for people who just can’t seem to get enough skiing. Mount Hood is the only ski resort in North America that has year-round lift served skiing. So, whether it’s cold and snowy or the middle of summer, Mount Hood is open whenever you get the itch to ski!

If you’re not looking to travel too far on your next road trip, the Snoqualmie Falls is a great destination. Located east of Seattle on the Snoqualmie River, the Snoqualmie Falls is a stunning 268-foot waterfall complete with an observation deck and gift shop. Plus, keep the kids entertained with the two-acre park on site!

A road trip across the northwest located north of the town of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Silverwood Theme Park is the perfect destination for all of you thrill seekers out there. With 40 rides to choose from, ranging from low to high intensity, there is a ride here for everyone. Not into rides? No problem, check out Silverwood’s Main Street for all the shopping and dining you could want.

Looking for that road trip a little less close to home? Look no further than Crater Lake National Park. Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake offers a plethora of outdoor activities. Get out on the water for some boating, fishing, and water sports, or stay on land and do some hiking. Either way, Crater Lake is a great spot for your road trip consideration.

A road trip to the Painted Hills in Wheeler County, Oregon is a great place for all avid sight seers. The Painted Hills is a geological marvel and is considered to be one of the seven wonders of Oregon. Whether you want to hike through the multicolored hills, or just sightsee, the three thousand miles of land will keep you entertained for days.

On your next road trip, visit the Oregon landmark known as North Cascades National Park! You can explore jagged peaks, listen to the water rushing through valleys, and take in the ever-changing landscape around you. With it being only 3 hours from Seattle, this can be a great day trip or you can camp here and explore even more!

A trip to the coast of Oregon is on the itinerary and Cannon Beach is the perfect destination. This sandy beach town offers stunning coastline views and delicious seafood. The beach is crowned by the Oregon icon known as Haystack Rock! Cannon Beach was named one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places by National Geographic, so this is a place you want to check out!

Punchbowl Falls is a frequent subject of postcards and calendars due to its natural beauty. Years of the waterfalls rushing water has given the falls its punchbowl name as it has carved the area out around it! Hiking to this Oregon landmark will be insanely beautiful as you will views of other waterfalls, cliffs, and more!

A trip to sunny Sequim is one you won’t forget as you will get stunning views of the lavender plants as well as a small town full of charm! Sequim is a very popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, lavender lovers, and the avid road-tripper as it has an active arts community, vibrant downtown, and delicious culinary options!

Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style village located in the Cascade Mountains. From the Nutcracker Museum to the amazing Bavarian food, you will not find a town like this anywhere else! Leavenworth is also a gateway to many nearby ski resorts and wineries, making it a fantastic road trip location no matter what season it is!

Lake Chelan is the perfect warm-weather road trip! This small town of 4,000 can see the number of people swell up to 25,000 when the sun is shining bright! Lake Chelan is also home to many family businesses, shops, restaurants, and wineries that will make your trip here even more enjoyable. Boating, biking, hiking, and fishing are just a handful of the many fun activities to partake in at Lake Chelan!

The Hoh Rainforest is the perfect example of temperate rainforest in the US. Carving its way from Mount Olympus to the Pacific Coast, you will feel like you’re in another world while you are here. The Hoh Rainforest used to be a part of a Pacific Northwest rainforest which spanned from southeastern Alaska all the way to the central coast of California. Now that it is one of the remaining examples, the Hoh Rainforest is an extremely popular road trip destination!

Located on the south end of Lake Pend Oreille, Farragut State Park is a great year-round road trip location. Fun summer activities include camping, hiking, swimming, and boating while fun winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding! Also, the Museum at the Brig is a great place to stop by if you are a World War II history buff!

At Nez Perce National Historical Park, you can see some of the most important places to the history and culture of the Nimiipuu people. From shortgrass prairies to conifer and alpine meadows, you will be able to see many different ecosystems and terrains here. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, elk, and bald eagles!

The White Pass Scenic Byway boasts stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities along the way for your next road trip! As you make your way across the state, you see everything from sky-high Evergreens to rolling hills. Make some stops and explore the hiking trails, fishing lakes, and the charming small towns. Be sure to keep an eye out for all of the wild life too!

Walla Walla is a wine lover’s dream, but there is also so much more to explore! From amazing restaurants to unique shops, the charming downtown area is a great place to spend the day. Of course you have to stop by at least one of the many famous wineries. There are so many to choose from and each bring their own history, tradition, and world-class wine.

In the heart of the Columbia Gorge sits Beacon Rock, the core of an ancient volcano. Walk the mile-long trail to the summit to see the stunning views of this historic landmark. If you’re up for more, there are over 20 miles of trails for hiking that take you all around the area.

If you’re taking a road trip across the state, make sure to stop in Ellensburg! The downtown area is a unique mix of historic charm and local businesses that have taken modern twists. There is a wide diversity of restaurants, unique shops to explore, and there are fun events happening all the time. The outdoor activities are also plentiful in the area.

With tons of hiking and amazing views, Wallowa Mountains is a great road trip destination if you want to escape reality for a few days! Although it can be tricky to get to, this hidden gem in Eastern Oregon is full of one-of-a-kind nature. There is endless adventure to be had year-round on the mountains.

Bend, Oregon is a perfect road trip spot all year long. The lively downtown area is full of local breweries, fun restaurants, and beautiful parks that are great to enjoy with the whole family. Just outside of downtown are endless outdoor activities for all levels of exploration. From floating down the river to hiking up the mountains, you will not run out of sights to see.