Banff To Seattle Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from Banff to Seattle is one of the best journeys you can experience in Canada and the USA. The 1,022 km road trip from Banff to Seattle takes around 10 hours and 43 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 18 top tips that turn your Banff to Seattle drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from Banff to Seattle, take your coffee and keep reading!

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Banff To Seattle

On the Banff to Seattle road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top six hotels on the Banff – Seattle route!

1. L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere: L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Banff to Seattle. Driving from Banff to L’Hermitage Hotel might take around 1 hour and 51 mins. L’Hermitage Hotel Vancouver is a 60-room luxury boutique property. Featuring unique architecture within a West Coast setting, vogue interior design, and thoughtful amenities, L’Hermitage Hotel Vancouver is the perfect cosmopolitan getaway. Check the L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere, one of the best hotels in Invermere, British Columbia, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Talus Rock Retreat: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Seattle from Banff is Talus Rock Retreat. Located in Sandpoint, Idaho, the hotel is 464 km away from Banff, and it would take 5 hours and 23 mins to drive. Nestled in the Idaho mountains, Talus Rock Retreat is a private, chic getaway with timber frames and Tuscan-style architecture. The property caters to those who appreciate nature combined with old-world charm. Escape to the privacy and peacefulness of Talus Rock Retreat for your memorable getaway. If you want to learn more about the Talus Rock Retreat, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. The Roosevelt Inn: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to The Roosevelt Inn. The Roosevelt Inn is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and it’s 533 km away from Banff. You can arrive there in 6 hours and 12 mins of non-stop driving. The Roosevelt Inn is a historic Coeur d’Alene inn with 14 rooms and suites, all with queen or king beds and private baths. Located just a few short blocks from the lake and all the waterfront activities and downtown dining, the Roosevelt Inn is ideal for visitors. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of The Roosevelt Inn for more information.
4. Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane: If you are taking the road trip from Banff to Seattle, Spokane, Washington, it is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane is one of the best hotels in town. It is Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane, 575 km from Banff, and it would take 6 hours and 37 mins to drive. The Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane is far from Riverfront Park and Downtown Spokane shopping and businesses. It is equipped to handle all of your travel needs, whether traveling for business or looking for a relaxing getaway. If you need more info about the price and availability of Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Comfort Suites Moses Lake: Our next hotel is Comfort Suites Moses Lake, Moses Lake, Washington. It will take 8 hours of car ride o reach this hotel from Banff. This all-suites hotel is conveniently located near several popular destinations and tourist attractions. It is pet-friendly and has a heated pool and whirlpool, which are perfect for relaxing after a hard day of work or a long day of exploring the area. Check the Comfort Suites Moses Lake on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Comfort Suites Moses Lake for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Hotel Windrow: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Banff to Seattle is Hotel Windrow. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Ellensburg, Washington, within 9 hours of drive from Banff. Hotel Windrow features 59 well-appointed, high-tech guest rooms in Historic Downtown Ellensburg. The hotel also features an exceptional Basalt restaurant and craft cocktail lounge at the base of the atrium lobby. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.

In this part, we explained six different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Banff to Seattle. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will take the same Banff to Seattle route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from Banff to Seattle. We have six restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

6 Best Restaurants On The Banff To Seattle Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your Banff to Seattle road trip. This section lists the six restaurants to dine at on the road trip from Banff to Seattle. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Banff to Seattle with Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere. Birchwood Restaurant is located in Invermere, British Columbia, 152 km from Banff. It would take 1 hour and 52 mins of driving. Birchwood Restaurant is a casual adult dining experience with a unique and relaxing outdoor patio and outside atrium in the winter. They offer a variety of seasonal menu options and cater to dietary requirements. For more information about Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere.
2. Baxters On Cedar: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Seattle from Banff is Baxters On Cedar. Located in Sandpoint, Idaho, Baxters On Cedar is 460 km from Banff and would take 5 hours and 18 mins of driving. Baxters on Cedar is a pub that serves American cuisine. They use the freshest local ingredients whenever possible. If you want to learn more about Baxters On Cedar, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Fire Pizza: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Fire Pizza. It will take 6 hours and 14 mins of car drive to take 534 km from Banff to Fire Pizza, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The food was great all around, but the pizza was incredibly delicious. Service was prompt and friendly. You can check Fire Pizza on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Frank’s Diner, Spokane: Frank’s Diner, Spokane, deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Spokane, Washington. In 1906, Barney Smith manufactured this car as an observation car. Jack Knight bought the presidential car and converted it into a diner car in 1931. With over 100 years of dining elegance, they are proud you have chosen to share your day with them.
   Frank’s Diner, Spokane, is 575 km away from Banff, and it would take 6 hours and 35 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Frank’s Diner, Spokane, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake: If you enjoy dining, Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake, would be an excellent choice in Moses Lake, Washington. It’s 745 km from Banff and would take 8 hours of car driving. Michaels on the Lake features a variety of fresh seafood, Certified Angus steaks, and premium beer and wine selections from the Northwest. So whether you want to enjoy a cold microbrew with a view of Parker Horn on a hot day or looking for a hot drink on a chilly night, Michaels on the Lake is the perfect choice for any night out. If you want to learn more about Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Ellensburg Pasta Company: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Banff to Seattle is Ellensburg Pasta Company, Ellensburg, Washington. It will take 9 hours of driving to reach Ellensburg Pasta Company from Banff. Ellensburg Pasta Company is a favorite among Ellensburg restaurants for its excellent service, quality fresh entrees, and genuine hospitality. For more information about Ellensburg Pasta Company, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.

This section lists our six restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from Banff to Seattle. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,022 km journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Seattle road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from Banff to Seattle. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Banff To Seattle Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Seattle. However, some unique destinations, like Invermere, and British Columbia, are on your road trip. Therefore, we want to explain the top six destinations we recommend on the Seattle route.

• James Chabot Provincial Park: James Chabot Provincial Park will be the first destination we recommend you stop on your Banff to Seattle road trip. Located in Invermere, British Columbia, James Chabot Provincial Park is 151 km away from Banff, and it would take 1 hour and 49 mins to drive. The lake is lovely and shallow, with relatively warm water. Be sure to bring swim shoes or flip-flops, as the bottom of the lake is rocky. There are washroom facilities and lovely shady areas to escape the sun. If you want to learn more about the James Chabot Provincial Park, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Schweitzer: Schweitzer, Sandpoint, Idaho, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop on the Banff to Seattle route. It’s 470 km from Banff, and it’ll take about 5 hours and 30 mins of driving. Schweitzer is a family-friendly resort in the Pacific Northwest that many consider having the best skiing in Idaho. The resort is independently owned, and proud of it. Schweitzer’s entire summer season, with miles of hiking, mountain biking trails, and various other activities, makes it the hub for outdoor recreation. If you want to learn more about Schweitzer, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Coeur d’Alene Lake: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Banff to Seattle is Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. And if you visit Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, we suggest you visit Coeur d’Alene Lake. You can arrive at Coeur d’Alene Lake after 6 hours and 27 mins of driving. The 30-mile-long Lake Coeur d’Alene is fed by three rivers and offers a variety of water sports for visitors to enjoy. Popular activities on the lake include scenic cruises, charter cruises, and holiday cruises. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Coeur d’Alene Lake for more information.
• Manito Park: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Manito Park, Spokane, on the Banff to Seattle road trip. Manito Park is 576 km from Banff, and you can arrive there after the 6 hours and 38 mins of drive. Manito Park was established in April 1904 and has evolved from an undeveloped recreational area to one of Spokane’s primary showplaces. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains Manito Park’s 78 acres of native and cultivated landscape and 20 acres of botanical gardens. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Manito Park before going there.
• Moses Lake Museum & Art Center: Located in Moses Lake, Washington, Moses Lake Museum & Art Center ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Banff to Seattle. You must take 8 hours of driving to arrive at Moses Lake Museum & Art Center. The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center is dedicated to exploring the human and natural history of the Columbia Basin and celebrating the works of regional artists. With the Adam East Collection of Native American artifacts, local historical exhibits, a fine art gallery, a museum store, and a giant Columbian Mammoth metal sculpture, the museum offers something for everyone. Admission is free. If you want to learn more about Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Banff to Seattle is Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center, Ellensburg, Washington. Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center is 830 km from Banff and would take 8 hours and 59 mins to drive. The experience of driving among the wind towers when the wind is blowing, and the rotors are turning is one that you will not soon forget. For more information about Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Banff to Seattle

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about the Banff to Seattle drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From Banff To Seattle?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Banff to Seattle road trip takes approximately 10 hours and 43 mins to drive. The driving distance between Banff to Seattle is 1,022 km.
• If you want to make the Banff to Seattle road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be two days and 9 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Banff-Seattle route, then you will have to walk for nine days and 1 hour.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Banff To Seattle?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Seattle. On the road, you can visit Invermere, British Columbia; Sandpoint, Idaho; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; Moses Lake, Washington; and Ellensburg, Washington. Here we list six places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on the Banff to Seattle journey, you can check the 6 Best Places To Visit On The Way From Banff To Seattle part.

1. James Chabot Provincial Park: 151 km / 1 hour and 49 mins to drive from Banff | 876 km / 9 hours of driving to Seattle.
2. Schweitzer: 470 km / 5 hours and 30 mins to drive from Banff | 362 miles / 5 hours and 52 mins of driving to Seattle.
3. Coeur d’Alene Lake: 549 km / 6 hours and 27 mins to drive from Banff | 322 miles / 4 hours and 59 mins of driving to Seattle.
4. Manito Park: 576 km / 6 hours and 38 mins to drive from Banff | 280 miles / 4 hours and 16 mins of driving to Seattle.
5. Moses Lake Museum & Art Center: 741 km / 8 hours to drive from Banff | 177 miles / 2 hours and 47 mins to Seattle.
6. Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center: 830 km / 8 hours and 59 mins to drive from Banff | 130 miles / 2 hours and 10 mins of driving to Seattle.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From Banff To Seattle?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Banff to Seattle. We have selected six hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 6 Best Hotels On The Way To Seattle From Banff section.

• L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere: 152 km / 1 hour and 51 mins to drive from Banff | 877 km / 9 hours of driving to Seattle.
• Talus Rock Retreat: 464 km / 5 hours and 23 mins to drive from Banff | 352 miles / 5 hours and 35 mins of driving to Seattle.
• The Roosevelt Inn: 533 km / 6 hours and 12 mins to drive from Banff | 311 miles / 4 hours and 43 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane: 575 km / 6 hours and 37 mins to drive from Banff | 280 miles / 4 hours and 15 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Comfort Suites Moses Lake: 737 km / 8 hours to drive from Banff | 178 miles / 2 hours and 44 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Hotel Windrow: 851 km / 9 hours to drive from Banff | 107 miles / 1 hour and 44 mins of driving to Seattle.

Where To Eat Between Banff to Seattle?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Banff to Seattle drive, you can consider the six restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 6 Best Restaurants On The Way From Banff To Seattle.

1. Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere: 152 km / 1 hour and 52 mins to drive from Banff | 877 km / 9 hours of driving to Seattle.
2. Baxters On Cedar: 460 km / 5 hours and 18 mins to drive from Banff | 350 miles / 5 hours and 29 mins of driving to Seattle.
3. Fire Pizza: 534 km / 6 hours and 14 mins to drive from Banff | 313 miles / 4 hours and 45 mins of driving to Seattle.
4. Frank’s Diner, Spokane: 575 km / 6 hours and 35 mins to drive from Banff | 278 miles / 4 hours and 11 mins of driving to Seattle.
5. Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake: 745 km / 8 hours to drive from Banff | 177 miles / 2 hours and 43 mins of driving to Seattle.
6. Ellensburg Pasta Company: 851 km / 9 hours to drive from Banff | 107 miles / 1 hour and 44 mins of driving to Seattle.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Banff to Seattle. We have listed six hotels, six restaurants, and six places to visit on the Banff to Seattle drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from Banff to Seattle as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from Banff to Seattle? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from Banff to Seattle and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.