Seattle To San Francisco Road Trip: Top 15 Tips

Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 808 miles of the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco takes around 12 hours and 47 mins of driving without stops.

This article shares the 15 top tips that turn your San Francisco trip 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 San Francisco, keep reading!

7 Best Hotels On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco

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

1. Peppermill Empress Inn: Peppermill Empress Inn is one of the best hotels where you can stay on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. Driving from Seattle to Peppermill Empress Inn might take around 1 hour and 29 mins. Centralia, Washington, is a small town known for its warm hospitality. This tradition continues at the Peppermill Empress Inn, where guests always find a warm welcome, attractive rates, and clean rooms. The Peppermill Empress Inn offers large and comfortable rooms and a great location just off I5 but undisturbed by freeway noise. Guests enjoy free WiFi and continental breakfast included in their stay. The front desk was high-speed and kind during my visit, which was great since I had an early morning flight to catch later that day. The room was clean with a nice bed; it was also relatively quiet inside the hotel despite being located near major highways. Check the Peppermill Empress Inn, one of the best hotels in Centralia, Washington, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to San Francisco from Seattle is The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton. The Benson Portland Curio Collection by Hilton is 174 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 2 hours and 51 mins to drive. The Benson Hotel, in the heart of downtown Portland, is a premier hotel that unites the charm and civility of the old world with the elegance of contemporary design and mindful service. The staff is amiable and accommodating, and the rooms are impeccably clean with amazing views of downtown. They also have a great restaurant/bar in the lobby. If you want to learn more about the Hilton Benson Portland Curio Collection, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Hampton Inn Eugene: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Hampton Inn Eugene. Hampton Inn Eugene is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it’s 286 miles away from Seattle, and you can arrive there with 4 hours 40 mins of non-stop driving. The Hampton Inn Eugene hotel is located on Highway 126W (11th Avenue), close to the airport and adjacent to the West End Business District. Many attractions in Eugene, Oregon, are nearby, including boating, fishing, water sports, performing arts, and snow skiing. In addition, the Autzen Stadium is home to the Oregon Ducks football team and is a popular tourist destination. The staff at this hotel is very courteous, and the rooms are new and well maintained. They are fully furnished/detailed with comfortable beds. Although this hotel is not located in downtown Eugene, it’s close enough for most guests’ needs. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hampton Inn Eugene for more information.
4. Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center: If you are taking the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco, 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, 348 miles from Seattle, and it would take 5 hours 32 mins to drive. The Sleep Inn & Suites offers excellent value for its clean rooms, heated indoor pool and hot tub, and Deluxe Hot Breakfast. The hotel is close to I-5 in Roseburg, OR, making it easy to get around. The staff is pleasant, and the room is comfortable. 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. Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast: Our next hotel is Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast, Ashland, Oregon. It will take 7 hours, and 21 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Seattle. Breakfast at the inn is a creative and delicious affair, with a relaxed style and hospitality at its finest. Groups love the spacious room, while individuals and couples enjoy the privacy. Guests savor culinary delights for afternoon treats, coffee, latte, cappuccino, or tea whenever their cravings hit. The lavender room was lovely; everything about it was perfect, from the bed to the linens to even little extras like a comfortable pillow! Breakfast itself was terrific – we enjoyed their coffee machine! Check the Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn: Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn is another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Redding, California, within 9 hours and 31 mins drive from Seattle. The Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn offers guests a variety of modern amenities and thoughtful designs that will make them stand out from other hotels in Redding. The friendly staff was accommodating, the room and grounds were spotless, and the pool and spa were both immaculate. The breakfast was delicious, with a fantastic selection of hot and cold items. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS. It’s located in Sacramento, California, 758 miles from Seattle. You can arrive there within 12 hours 1 min of car drive. The hotel is located close to downtown on US-50 and 65th Street, with convenient access to businesses and attractions in the Greater Sacramento area. The staff was top-notch, hard-working, and super friendly. Comfortable, clean rooms. Nice pool. The breakfast was good.. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS.

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

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

5 Best Restaurants On The Way To San Francisco From Seattle

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

1. Judy’s Country Kitchen Restaurant: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco with Judy Country Kitchen Restaurant. Judy’s Country Kitchen Restaurant is located in Centralia, Washington, and 84.1 miles from Seattle. It would take 1 hour 29 mins of driving. We had to wait a bit after calling ahead, but the wait was worth it. The hosts were friendly and efficient, and the food was generous tasting. I can see why this place is a local favorite. For more information about Judy’s Country Kitchen Restaurant, you can visit TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Judy Country Kitchen Restaurant.
2. Mediterranean Exploration Company: Mediterranean Exploration Company is another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to San Francisco from Seattle. Located in Portland, Oregon, Mediterranean Exploration Company is 173 miles from Seattle and would take 2 hours and 49 mins to drive. The restaurant’s outdoor seating was perfect, and the menu choices were so inventive that I wanted to order one of everything. The hummus, labneh, short ribs, and honey cake exceeded the item before. The service was terrific! If you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Exploration Company, 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 4 hours 38 mins of car drive to take 285 miles from Seattle to Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria, Eugene, Oregon. The food was excellent, the salmon dishes were cooked perfectly and paired nicely with green beans and spaghetti. The roasted garlic and melted cheese starter were decadent! Service was warm and quick. You can check Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria for more information on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
4. Joe’s Giant Orange: Joe’s Giant Orange deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Shasta Lake, California. The family that runs this restaurant is very kind, and their food is delicious. The portions were generous, and everyone was friendly and helpful. This restaurant is an excellent stop on the way back home to Portland. Joe’s Giant Orange is 587 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 9 hours and 24 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Joe’s Giant Orange, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Mikuni, Sacramento: If you enjoy dining, Mikuni, Sacramento, would be an excellent choice in Sacramento, California. It’s 753 miles from Seattle and would take 11 hours and 57 mins of car driving. The food was excellent, and the vibe was great. Everything tasted fresh, and there were plenty of tasty appetizers. We sat at the bar, where the service was excellent. Our favorite dish was sushi, but we also enjoyed the Japanese Mafia roll and Carmen roll. All in all, a great experience! If you want to learn more about Mikuni, Sacramento, 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 Seattle to San Francisco. 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco. Keep reading.

3 Places To Visit On The Way From Seattle To San Francisco

A unique experience awaits you in San Francisco. However, some unique destinations like Centralia and Washington are also on your road trip. We want to explain the top three destinations we recommend on the San Francisco route.

• International Rose Test Garden: International Rose Test Garden will be the first destination we recommend you to stop by on your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. Located in Portland, Oregon, International Rose Test Garden is 174 miles away from Seattle, and it would take 2 hours and 55 mins to drive. The oldest public rose test garden in the United States boasts an impressive number of roses. During September, the flowers are still in full bloom and are quite beautiful. If you want to learn more about the International Rose Test Garden, 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 to stop by on the Seattle to San Francisco route. It’s 580 miles from Seattle, and it’ll take about 9 hours and 16 mins of driving. Lake Shasta is the largest artificial reservoir in California and is easily accessible by skiing, houseboating, and fishing on the Sacramento arm. Unfortunately, the lake’s level has been kept too low for many years, resulting in decreased water levels and a decrease in recreational activities. If you want to learn more about Shasta Lake, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• California State Railroad Museum: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Seattle to San Francisco in Sacramento. And if you visit Sacramento, California, I suggest you visit California State Railroad Museum. You can arrive California State Railroad Museum after 11 hours and 54 mins of driving. The California State Railroad Museum is a great place to learn about the history of railroads in California. The exhibits are engaging, and a lot of information is available on signage. If you have any questions, the docents are always happy to help. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the California State Railroad Museum for more information.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Seattle to San Francisco

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

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

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, the road trip takes approximately 12 hours and 47 mins to drive. The distance between Seattle to San Francisco is 808 miles.
• If you want to make the Seattle to San Francisco 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 Seattle-San Francisco route, you will have to walk for 11 days and 11 hours.

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

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

1. International Rose Test Garden: 174 miles / 2 hours 55 mins to drive from Seattle | 637 miles / 10 hours 6 mins of driving to San Francisco.
2. Shasta Lake: 580 miles / 9 hours 16 mins to drive from Seattle | 234 miles / 3 hours 37 mins of driving to San Francisco.
3. California State Railroad Museum: 752 miles / 11 hours 54 mins to drive from Seattle | 86.5 miles / 1 hour 29 mins of driving to San Francisco.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your Seattle to San Francisco road trip. 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 San Francisco From Seattle section.

• Peppermill Empress Inn: 84.7 miles / 1 hour 29 mins to drive from Seattle | 724 miles / 11 hours 22 mins of driving to San Francisco.
• The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton: 174 miles / 2 hours 51 mins to drive from Seattle | 636 miles / 10 hours 3 mins of driving to San Francisco.
• Hampton Inn Eugene: 286 miles / 4 hours 40 mins to drive from Seattle | 525 miles / 8 hours 29 mins of driving to San Francisco.
• Sleep Inn & Suites Roseburg North Near Medical Center: 348 miles / 5 hours 32 mins to drive from Seattle | 460 miles / 7 hours 16 mins of driving to San Francisco.
• Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast: 461 miles / 7 hours 21 mins to drive from Seattle | 348 miles / 5 hours 31 mins of driving to San Francisco.
• Best Western Plus Hilltop Inn: 594 miles / 9 hours 31 mins to drive from Seattle | 215 miles / 3 hours 21 mins of driving to San Francisco.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento at CSUS: 758 miles / 12 hours 1 min to drive from Seattle | 91.2 miles / 1 hour 33 mins of driving to San Francisco.

Where To Eat Between Seattle to San Francisco?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Seattle to San Francisco journey, 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 Seattle To San Francisco.

1. Judys Country Kitchen Restaurant: 84.1 miles / 1 hour 29 mins to drive from Seattle | 726 miles / 11 hours 27 mins of driving to San Francisco.
2. Mediterranean Exploration Company: 173 miles / 2 hours 49 mins to drive from Seattle | 636 miles / 10 hours 2 mins of driving to San Francisco.
3. Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria: 285 miles / 4 hours 38 mins to drive from Seattle | 527 miles / 8 hours 20 mins of driving to San Francisco.
4. Joe’s Giant Orange: 587 miles / 9 hours 24 mins to drive from Seattle | 221 miles / 3 hours 25 mins of driving to San Francisco.
5. Mikuni, Sacramento: 753 miles / 11 hours 57 mins to drive from Seattle | 88.3 miles / 1 hour 30 mins of driving to San Francisco.

Conclusion

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

Share Your Thoughts

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