Seattle To Banff Road Trip: Top 18 Tips

Traveling from Seattle to Banff is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA and Canada. The 634 miles of a road trip from Seattle to Banff takes around 10 hours and 44 mins of driving without stops.

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

6 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Seattle To Banff

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

1. Hotel Windrow: Hotel Windrow is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a road trip from Seattle to Banff. Driving from Seattle to Hotel Windrow might take around 1 hour and 46 mins. 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. Check the Hotel Windrow, one of the best hotels in Ellensburg, Washington, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Comfort Suites Moses Lake: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Banff from Seattle is Comfort Suites Moses Lake. Located in Moses Lake, Washington, the hotel is 179 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 2 hours and 47 mins to drive. Located near several popular destinations and tourist attractions, this all-suites hotel is convenient for an enjoyable stay. This pet-friendly hotel also has a heated pool and whirlpool, which are perfect for relaxing after a hard day of work or exploring the area. If you want to learn more about the Comfort Suites Moses Lake, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane. Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane is located in Spokane, Washington, and it’s 280 miles away from Seattle. You can arrive there in 4 hours and 16 mins of non-stop driving. The Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane is situated along the Spokane River near Riverfront Park and Downtown Spokane shopping and businesses. It is well-equipped to handle all your travel needs, whether traveling for business or looking for a relaxing getaway. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane for more information.
4. The Roosevelt Inn: If you are taking the road trip from Seattle to Banff Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is must have a place you should visit. Plus, The Roosevelt Inn is one of the best hotels in town. It is The Roosevelt Inn, 311 miles from Seattle, and it would take 4 hours and 44 mins to drive. The Roosevelt Inn is a historic Coeur d’Alene inn with 14 rooms and suites. All rooms have queen or king beds and private baths. The inn is just a few blocks from the lake, waterfront activities, and downtown dining. If you need more info about the price and availability of The Roosevelt Inn, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Talus Rock Retreat: Our next hotel is Talus Rock Retreat, Sandpoint, Idaho. It will take 5 hours, and 37 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Seattle. Tucked away in a private and secluded location, Talus Rock Retreat is the perfect getaway for those who appreciate nature and old-world charm. The retreat features a timber frame and Tuscan-style design, providing guests with an elegant and picturesque setting. Guests can enjoy the peace of the retreat, surrounded by stunning natural scenery. Check the Talus Rock Retreat on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Talus Rock Retreat for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Seattle to Banff is L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Invermere, British Columbia, within 9 hours drive from Seattle. The L’Hermitage Hotel Vancouver is a 60-room luxury boutique property. It features unique architecture within a West Coast setting, vogue interior design, and thoughtful amenities. This makes it the perfect cosmopolitan getaway. 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 Seattle to Banff. 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 Seattle to Banff route.

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

6 Best Restaurants On The Seattle To Banff Road Trip

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

1. Ellensburg Pasta Company: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Seattle to Banff with Ellensburg Pasta Company. Ellensburg Pasta Company is located in Ellensburg, Washington, 108 miles from Seattle. It would take 1 hour and 46 mins of driving. Ellensburg Pasta Company is a popular choice for lunch and dinner among Ellensburg restaurants, thanks to its excellent service, fresh entrees, and genuine hospitality. For more information about Ellensburg Pasta Company, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Ellensburg Pasta Company.
2. Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Banff from Seattle is Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake. Located in Moses Lake, Washington, Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake is 177 miles from Seattle and would take 2 hours and 45 mins of driving. If you’re looking for fresh seafood, flavorful Certified Angus steaks, premium beer, and wine selections from the Northwest, Michaels on the Lake is the perfect choice for any night out. Whether you want to view Parker Horn on a hot day with a cold microbrew or looking for a hot drink on a chilly night in our beautifully appointed dining room, Michaels on the Lake will exceed your expectations. If you want to learn more about Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Frank’s Diner, Spokane: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Frank’s Diner, Spokane. It will take 4 hours and 13 mins of car drive to take 278 miles from Seattle to Frank’s Diner, Spokane. The Presidential Car Diner has a long and storied history dating back over 100 years. The car was initially manufactured in 1906 as an observation car but was later converted into a diner car by Jack Knight in 1931. Today, the diner is proud to continue its tradition of dining excellence and welcomes you to come and enjoy a meal with you. For more information, you can check Frank’s Diner, Spokane, on TripAdvisor or Google M.
4. Fire Pizza, Coeur d’Alene: Fire Pizza, Coeur d’Alene deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The soups and salads are delicious, but the pizza is even better! The service is friendly and prompt. Fire Pizza, Coeur d’Alene, is 311 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 4 hours and 46 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Fire Pizza, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Baxters On Cedar: If you enjoy dining, Baxters On Cedar would be an excellent choice in Sandpoint, Idaho. It’s 349 miles from Seattle and would take 5 hours and 31 mins of car driving. Baxters on Cedar is a pub that serves American cuisine using fresh local ingredients whenever possible. If you want to learn more about the Baxters On Cedar, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Seattle to Banff is Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere, Invermere, British Columbia. It will take 9 hours of driving to reach Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere, from Seattle. Birchwood Restaurant offers a mountain casual dining experience for adults, with a unique and relaxing outdoor patio and outside atrium in the winter. They offer various seasonal menu options and can cater to dietary requirements. For more information about Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere, 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 Seattle to Banff. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 634 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 Banff 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 Seattle to Banff. Keep reading.

6 Places To Visit On The Seattle To Banff Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Banff. However, on your road trip, there are also some unique destinations, like Ellensburg, Washington. Therefore, we want to exTherefore when the top six destinations we recommend on the Banff route.

• Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center: Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center will be the first destination we recommend stopping by on your Seattle to Banff road trip. Located in Ellensburg, Washington, Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center is 130 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 2 hours and 13 mins to, however, when. But, when the wind is blowing and the rotors are turning, driving among the wind towers is an uncanny and strangely disorienting experience you won’t soon forget. If you want to learn more about the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Moses Lake Museum & Art Center: Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, Moses Lake, Washington, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop on the Seattle to Banff route. It’s 178 miles from Seattle, and it’ll take about 2 hours and 48 mins of driving. 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. The museum is home to 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. Admission is free. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. If you want to learn more about Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Manito Park: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Seattle to Banff is Spokane, Washington. And if you visit Spokane, Washington, we suggest you visit Manito Park. You can arrive at Manito Park after 4 hours and 16 mins of driving. Established in April 1904, Manito Park has evolved from an undeveloped recreational area to one of Spokane’s primary showplaces. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains 78 acres of native and cultivated landscape and 20 acres of world-class botanical gardens. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Manito Park for more information.
• Coeur d’Alene Lake: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Coeur d’Alene Lake, Coeur d’Alene, on the Seattle to Banff road trip. Coeur d’Alene Lake is 322 miles from Seattle, and you can arrive there after the 4 hours and 59 mins of drive. Lake Coeur d’Alene is supplied by waters from three different rivers, making it a pristine destination for some water-based activities. Many cruise options are available to visitors, including daily scenic cruises, charter cruises, and holiday cruises. This is a great way to enjoy the lake with family and friends. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Coeur d’Alene Lake before going there.
• Schweitzer: Located in Sandpoint, Idaho, Schweitzer ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Seattle to Banff. You must take 5 hours and 54 mins of driving to arrive at Schweitzer. Schweitzer is a family-friendly resort in the Pacific Northwest that is independently owned. Many consider it the best skiing in Idaho. The summer season at Schweitzer is robust, with miles of hiking, mountain biking trails, and various other activities. This makes it the hub for outdoor recreation in the area. If you want to learn more about Schweitzer, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• James Chabot Provincial Park: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Seattle to Banff is James Chabot Provincial Park, Invermere, British Columbia. James Chabot Provincial Park is 544 miles from Seattle, and it would take 9 hours to drive. Lake is lovely and shallow and has quite warm water. Be sure to bring swim shoes or flip-flops as the bottom of the lake is rocky. The lake has a washroom and lovely shady areas to escape the sun. For more information about James Chabot Provincial Park, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Seattle to Banff

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From Seattle To Banff?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the Seattle to Banff road trip takes approximately 10 hours and 44 mins to drive. The driving distance between Seattle to Banff is 634 miles.
• If you want to make the Seattle to Banff road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be two days and 10 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the Seattle-Banff route, you will have to walk for nine days and 2 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Seattle To Banff?

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

1. Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center: 130 miles / 2 hours and 13 mins to drive from Seattle | 515 miles / 8 hours and 59 mins of driving to Banff.
2. Moses Lake Museum & Art Center: 178 miles / 2 hours and 48 mins to drive from Seattle | 460 miles / 8 hours of driving to Banff.
3. Manito Park: 280 miles / 4 hours and 16 mins to drive from Seattle | 357 miles / 6 hours and 39 mins of driving to Banff.
4. Coeur d’Alene Lake: 322 miles / 4 hours and 59 mins to drive from Seattle | 341 miles / 6 hours and 26 mins of driving to Banff.
5. Schweitzer: 361 miles / 5 hours and 54 mins to drive from Seattle | 292 miles / 5 hours and 29 mins of driving to Banff.
6. James Chabot Provincial Park: 544 miles / 9 hours to drive from Seattle | 151 miles / 1 hour and 49 mins of driving to Banff.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Seattle to Banff. 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 Banff From Seattle section.

• Hotel Windrow: 107 miles / 1 hour and 46 mins to drive from Seattle | 528 miles / 9 hours of driving to Banff.
• Comfort Suites Moses Lake: 179 miles / 2 hours and 47 mins to drive from Seattle | 457 miles / 8 hours of driving to Banff.
• Oxford Suites Downtown Spokane: 280 miles / 4 hours and 16 mins to drive from Seattle | 356 miles / 6 hours and 38 mins of driving to Banff.
• The Roosevelt Inn: 311 miles / 4 hours and 44 mins to drive from Seattle | 331 miles / 6 hours and 11 mins of driving to Banff.
• Talus Rock Retreat: 351 miles / 5 hours and 37 mins to drive from Seattle | 288 miles / 5 hours and 23 mins of driving to Banff.
• L’Hermitage Hotel, Invermere: 544 miles / 9 hours to drive from Seattle | 152 miles / 1 hour and 50 mins of driving to Banff.

Where To Eat Between Seattle to Banff?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to Banff 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 Seattle To Banff.

1. Ellensburg Pasta Company: 108 miles / 1 hour and 46 mins to drive from Seattle | 528 miles / 9 hours of driving to Banff.
2. Michael’s on the Lake, Moses Lake: 177 miles / 2 hours and 45 mins to drive from Seattle | 462 miles / 8 hours of driving to Banff.
3. Frank’s Diner, Spokane: 278 miles / 4 hours and 13 mins to drive from Seattle | 357 miles / 6 hours and 37 mins of driving to Banff.
4. Fire Pizza, Coeur d’Alene: 311 miles / 4 hours and 46 mins to drive from Seattle | 332 miles / 6 hours and 13 mins of driving to Banff.
5. Baxters On Cedar: 349 miles / 5 hours and 31 mins to drive from Seattle | 286 miles / 5 hours and 18 mins of driving to Banff.
6. Birchwood Restaurant, Invermere: 545 miles / 9 hours to drive from Seattle | 152 miles / 1 hour and 52 mins of driving to Banff.

Conclusion

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

Share Your Thoughts

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