San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

Traveling from San Francisco to Seattle is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 808 miles of a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle takes around 12 hours and 30 mins of driving without stops.

This article includes 15 top tips that turn your San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Seattle, take your coffee and keep reading!

7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From San Francisco To Seattle

On the way from San Francisco to Seattle, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top seven hotels on the San Francisco – Seattle route!

1. Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS: Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. Driving from San Francisco to Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS might take around 1 hour and 30 mins. The hotel is conveniently located near downtown on US-50 and 65th Street, with easy access to businesses and attractions in the Greater Sacramento area. The hotel is next door to California State University Sacramento and to Sacramento’s Regional Transit stop, which includes light rail and buses. The staff was excellent, hard-working, and very friendly. The rooms were comfortable and clean. The pool was nice. Breakfast was good. Check the Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS, one of the best hotels in Sacramento, California, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Seattle from San Francisco is Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn. Located in Redding, California, the hotel is 215 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 3 hours and 15 mins to drive. When searching for a hotel in Redding, CA, the Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn is sure to exceed your expectations. With its modern amenities and thoughtful design, the Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn stands out among other hotels in the area. You’ll be impressed with the hotel room, the grounds’ cleanliness, the pool, and the spa area. The delicious breakfast features a wide variety of hot and cold selections. The friendly and accommodating staff will ensure your stay is enjoyable and memorable. If you want to learn more about the Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast. Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast is located in Ashland, Oregon, and it’s 348 miles away from San Francisco. You can arrive there in 5 hours and 25 mins of non-stop driving. So if you’re looking for a delicious and creative breakfast, a relaxed atmosphere, and top-notch hospitality, look no further than Oak Hill. Guests can enjoy plenty of space to relax, visit, and savor culinary delights throughout the day. The room was incredibly cozy, with comfortable bedding and all the little extras you need for a pleasant stay. Breakfast is served fresh and hot each morning, and the coffee machine is top-of-the-line. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast for more information.
4. Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center: If you are taking the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, Winston, Oregon, it is must have a place you should visit. Plus, Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center is one of the best hotels in town. It is Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center, 461 miles from San Francisco, and it would take 7 hours to drive. The Sleep Inn & Suites offers the best value in the Roseburg area. It features clean rooms, an indoor heated pool and hot tub, and a deluxe hot breakfast for each guest. It is also close to I-5 in Roseburg, OR. The staff is pleasant, and the room is comfortable. The walk-in shower is a great feature. If you need more info about the price and availability of Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Hampton Inn Eugene: Our next hotel is Hampton Inn Eugene, Eugene, Oregon. It will take 8 hours, and 20 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from San Francisco. The Hampton Inn Eugene hotel is located on Highway 126W (11th Avenue), just minutes from the airport and adjacent to the West End Business District. Eugene, Oregon attractions include boating, fishing, water sports, performing arts, snow skiing, hiking, golf, and the Autzen Stadium, home of the Oregon Ducks. The staff was courteous, and the room was new, well-maintained, and fully furnished/detailed. The beds were comfortable. The location was not “downtown,” but close enough. It was a very fair price compared to many other over-priced properties. Check the Hampton Inn Eugene on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hampton Inn Eugene for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle is The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Portland, Oregon, within 9 hours and 52 mins drive from San Francisco. The Benson Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Portland and is the city’s only premier hotel. The hotel unites the charm and civility of the old world with the elegance of contemporary design and mindful service. The staff is amicable and accommodating. The room was impeccably clean, with a fantastic downtown view. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant/bar in the lobby. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. Peppermill Empress Inn: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Peppermill Empress Inn. It’s located in Centralia, Washington, 724 miles from San Francisco. You can arrive there within 11 hours of the car drive. Centralia, Washington, is renowned for its hospitality. The tradition continues at the Peppermill Empress Inn, where visitors always receive a warm welcome, attractive rates, and clean, comfortable accommodations. The Peppermill Empress Inn offers large, clean rooms and a prime location; it is conveniently located just off I5 but undisturbed by freeway noise. Guests enjoy free WiFi, free continental breakfasts, and free parking. The front desk staff was efficient and very kind; the room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and I slept soundly. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Peppermill Empress Inn.

In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Seattle route.

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

5 Best Restaurants On The San Francisco To Seattle Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your San Francisco to Seattle road trip. In this section, we list the five different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Mikuni, Sacramento: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle with Mikuni, Sacramento. Mikuni, Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California, and is 88.2 miles from San Francisco. It would take 1 hour and 28 mins of driving. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere had a good vibe. Everything we ordered was tasty. The sashimi was fresh, and the warm appetizers were excellent. We sat at the bar, and the service was excellent. I recommend the Japanese Mafia and Carmen roll if you order sushi. For more information about Mikuni, Sacramento, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Mikuni, Sacramento.
2. Joe’s Giant Orange: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Seattle from San Francisco is Joe’s Giant Orange. Located in Shasta Lake, California, Joe’s Giant Orange is 221 miles from San Francisco and would take 3 hours and 20 mins of driving. A family-run business, the food here is delicious with generous portions. Everyone is friendly and helpful, making this a great stop back to Portland. The eggs, beans, rice tortillas, pico, and carnitas are perfect. If you want to learn more about Joe’s Giant Orange, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria. It will take 8 hours and 12 mins by car to drive 528 miles from San Francisco to Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria, Eugene, Oregon. The food was great – I had salmon, and my partner had spaghetti with a side of green beans. The garlic and cheese starter was lovely. Service was quick, and the staff was friendly. You can check Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria for more information on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
4. Mediterranean Exploration Company: Mediterranean Exploration Company deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Portland, Oregon. The experience was outstanding from beginning to end. The outdoor seating was perfect! The menu choices were very inventive, and I wanted to order one of everything. Each item exceeded the item before, from the hummus to the labneh to the short ribs. The honey cake was a great ending to an outstanding meal. The service was terrific! Mediterranean Exploration Company is 636 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 9 hours and 49 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Exploration Company, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Judy’s Country Kitchen Restaurant: If you enjoy dining, Judys Country Kitchen Restaurant would be an excellent choice in Centralia, Washington. It’s 726 miles from San Francisco and would take 11 hours and 14 mins of car driving. After calling ahead, I stopped here with some residents we were visiting. The hosts were great, and the wait person was friendly and efficient. The food was plentiful and tasted great. I can see why the place is a local favorite. It was a great meal and visit. If you want to learn more about the Judys Country Kitchen Restaurant, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our five restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 808 miles 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 San Francisco to Seattle. Keep reading.

3 Places To Visit On The San Francisco To Seattle Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Seattle. However, there are also some unique destinations like Sacramento, California, on your road trip. We want to explain the top three destinations we recommend on the Seattle route.

• California State Railroad Museum: California State Railroad Museum will be the first destination we recommend you stop on your San Francisco to Seattle road trip. Located in Sacramento, California, California State Railroad Museum is 86.5 miles away from San Francisco, and it would take 1 hour and 26 mins to drive. Instead, join us on an immersive journey through California’s railroad history. See towering artifacts from the state’s rich engineering legacy and take a ride on rails that reshaped the Golden State. Our exhibits are designed to educate and entertain, with engaging displays that bring California’s railroad story to life. We’re sure you’ll agree that this is the best railroad museum we’ve ever visited. If you want to learn more about the California State Railroad Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Shasta Lake: Shasta Lake, Shasta Lake, California, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the San Francisco to Seattle route. It’s 230 miles from San Francisco, and it’ll take about 3 hours and 28 mins of driving. Lake Shasta is the largest artificial reservoir in California. Skiing, houseboating, and fishing are easily accessible on the Sacramento arm of the lake. The lake is also significant for its Wakeboarding potential. However, something has to be done about the amount of water being released. They are keeping the lake level too low. If you want to learn more about Shasta Lake, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• International Rose Test Garden: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from San Francisco to Seattle in Portland, Oregon. And if you’ll visit Portland, Oregon, we suggest you visit International Rose Test Garden. You can arrive International Rose Test Garden after 9 hours and 55 mins of driving. The oldest official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States is home to more than 8,000 roses. The flowers are beautiful even in the second week of September. Grab something from the food truck, pack a lunch, and sit and enjoy the roses. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the International Rose Test Garden for more information.

FAQ of the Road Trip From San Francisco to Seattle

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From San Francisco To Seattle?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the San Francisco to Seattle road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 30 mins to drive. Therefore, the distance between San Francisco to Seattle is 808 miles.
• If you want to make the San Francisco to Seattle road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be three days and 2 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the San Francisco-Seattle route, you will have to walk for 11 days and 10 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From San Francisco To Seattle?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Seattle. Here we list three of them. For more information about the best places on the San Francisco to Seattle journey, you can check the 3 Best Places To Visit On The Way From San Francisco To Seattle.

1. California State Railroad Museum: 86.5 miles / 1 hour and 26 mins to drive from San Francisco | 752 miles / 11 hours and 39 mins of driving to Seattle.
2. Shasta Lake: 230 miles / 3 hours and 28 mins to drive from San Francisco | 577 miles / 9 hours of driving to Seattle.
3. International Rose Test Garden: 637 miles / 9 hours and 55 mins to drive from San Francisco | 174 miles / 2 hours and 53 mins of driving to Seattle.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. We have selected seven hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 7 Best Hotels On The Way To Seattle From San Francisco section.

• Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS: 91.4 miles / 1 hour and 30 mins to drive from San Francisco | 758 miles / 11 hours and 46 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn: 215 miles / 3 hours and 15 mins to drive from San Francisco | 594 miles / 9 hours and 18 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast: 348 miles / 5 hours and 25 mins to drive from San Francisco | 461 miles / 7 hours and 10 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center: 461 miles / 7 hours to drive from San Francisco | 348 miles / 5 hours and 23 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Hampton Inn Eugene: 534 miles / 8 hours and 20 mins to drive from San Francisco | 286 miles / 4 hours and 34 mins of driving to Seattle.
• The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton: 636 miles / 9 hours and 52 mins to drive from San Francisco | 174 miles / 2 hours and 47 mins of driving to Seattle.
• Peppermill Empress Inn: 724 miles / 11 hours to drive from San Francisco | 84.0 miles / 1 hour and 25 mins of driving to Seattle.

Where To Eat Between San Francisco to Seattle?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your San Francisco to Seattle drive, you can consider the five restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 5 Best Restaurants On The Way From San Francisco To Seattle.

1. Mikuni, Sacramento: 88.2 miles / 1 hour and 28 mins to drive from San Francisco | 753 miles / 11 hours and 41 mins of driving to Seattle.
2. Joe’s Giant Orange: 221 miles / 3 hours and 20 mins to drive from San Francisco | 587 miles / 9 hours and 12 mins of driving to Seattle.
3. Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria: 528 miles / 8 hours and 12 mins to drive from San Francisco | 285 miles / 4 hours and 29 mins of driving to Seattle.
4. Mediterranean Exploration Company: 636 miles / 9 hours and 49 mins to drive from San Francisco | 172 miles / 2 hours and 45 mins of driving to Seattle.
5. Judy’s Country Kitchen Restaurant: 726 miles / 11 hours and 14 mins to drive from San Francisco | 84.0 miles / 1 hour and 27 mins of driving to Seattle.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from San Francisco to Seattle. We have listed seven hotels, five restaurants, and three places to visit on the San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Seattle as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken a road trip from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Seattle and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.