~Carmen
Joe and I love a good road trip. We have made some of the best memories exploring the great USA by car. Come to think of it, we’ve also had some of our biggest arguments on those same road trips. Our most recent road trip through the San Juan Islands would be no exception!
San Juan Islands Road Trip- Washington State & British Columbia
Joe grew up in the Seattle area, so we make frequent trips to northwest Washington to see family. On our first trip as a couple we took a road trip through the picturesque San Juan Islands. This past summer we combined several previous trips into one epic road/ferry trip Washington State and the San Juan Islands. We hope you can use our itinerary and adapt it to meet your timeframe and interests! Combine this road trip with the Olympic National Park Road Trip and The Cascade Mountain Road Trip for an epic Washington State adventure!
Check out our 2-minute video!
San Juan Islands Road Trip- Washington State & British Columbia
Seattle to Camano Island-
64 miles (103 km)
A great place to start any Washington State road trip is Seattle. You can easily spend 3-5 days exploring the Emerald City. For more details read What to See & Do in Seattle, Washington.
Start your road trip in Seattle, Washington.
From Seattle, head north on Interstate 5 for about an hour. Once you cross the Camano Gateway Bridge, you instantly feel the quiet beauty surrounding you. This island is not a huge tourist area. The main draw for us is Camano State Park. During our visits, we were often the only ones walking along its serene, rocky beaches.
Camano Island
Camano Island to Anacortes (Fidalgo Island)-
43 miles (69 km)
From Camano Island, make your way to the city of Anacortes. Anacortes’s major claim to fame is being home to a major ferry terminal. Sometimes, we bypass Camano Island and head straight to Anacortes from Seattle. Before hopping on a ferry (unless you’re catching the first one of the day), we like to spend some time in cute little downtown Anacortes. There you will find some good grub and a variety of cute shops.
Anacortes, Washington
Another worthwhile stop is Washington Park. Bring a picnic lunch, camera, and binoculars. Take the scenic loop which is full of pullouts for scenic views of the San Juan Islands.
Click here for Anacortes hotels!
Anacortes to Orcas Island-
1 hour ferry ride
The trickiest part of this road trip is navigating the Washington State Ferry system. If you mess up, there’s no just arriving late. You may end up spending another additional day on an island, especially if traveling by car. This is a road trip, so of course you’re taking your car! Reservations are recommended, especially during prime travel times (weekends).
We always make reservations and arrive early. It is recommended to arrive at least 45-60 minutes prior to departure when traveling from Anacortes to Orcas Island. You can also get text alerts to help you make that ferry on time! Reservations have to be cancelled by 5 pm on the previous day or you’ll incur a no-show fee. For this total round trip to Victoria and back to Anacortes, expect to pay around $85 for a standard-sized vehicle.
You can catch on some ZZZZZs on the ferry.
The westbound ferry makes stops at Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, Friday Harbor (San Juan Island), with the final stop being Sidney, British Columbia. Then the ferry makes it way back eastbound to Anacortes making the same stops in reverse order. Not every ferry departing Anacortes stops at Orcas, so make sure that your Anacortes departure time includes Orcas Island.
While you wait, you can stock up on snacks and gifts. Ferries also have food and drink available on the ship. Marriage tip- Load up at the concession stand and gift shop if you almost miss your ferry and the spouse is in a bad mood!
When you reach the ticket booth, be prepared to show your barcoded reservation. You’ll be given a lane number to pull into until departure. Make sure that turn your engine off while waiting in your lane or you’ll get a nice visit from a ferry official.
Orcas Island
Orcas Island is a nature lover’s delight. 1-2 days has always been a good length of trip for us. For more details read What to See & Do On Orcas Island. Highlights for us always include Moran State Park and eating & shopping in Eastsound.
Click here for Eastsound Hotel Deals!
You can’t beat the view on top of Mount Constitution!
Orcas Island to Friday Harbor (San Juan Island)-
45 minute ferry ride
On our most recent road trip through the San Juan Islands, we had a major issue getting off of Orcas Island. One of the Anacortes ferries had a major mechanical issue, so all inter island ferry connections were cancelled. We had no way of getting to Friday Harbor from Orcas Island as we had previously taken before and had planned for this year’s trip. We ended up having to ride the ferry back to Anacortes. Then from Anacortes, we bypassed Friday Harbor and went straight to British Columbia. On previous trips, we have made Friday Harbor a day trip from Orcas Island. The Washington State ferry system is now back to its former schedule so traveling from Orcas Island to Friday Harbor shouldn’t be a problem. Knock on wood!
Click here for Friday Harbor Hotel Deals!
The San Juan Island’s name can be a little confusing. Friday Harbor is the biggest city amongst the islands (it’s still pretty small) on the island of San Juan. San Juan Island is an island in the San Juan Islands. Makes perfect sense, right? If you just tell people you want to go to Friday Harbor, you’ll end up on the right island!
There lots of unique shopping and good eats in Friday Harbor. You also don’t want to miss the Pelindaba Lavender Farm. I love their products so much, I’m on their mailing list. If you like history, check out the English Camp and American Camp.
Friday Harbor on San Juan Island
Friday Harbor to Sidney & Victoria, British Columbia-
2 hour ferry ride + 17 mile car ride (27 km)
Friday Harbor to Victoria, British Columbia
There is usually just one ferry a day going from Friday Harbor to Sidney, BC. So plan around this. You will also need your passport to enter Canada. Sidney is about a 30 minutes drive north of Victoria. A trip to Victoria will feel like you’re in Europe. You’ll see the cultural references in the architecture, food, and atmosphere. For more details read What to See & Do in Victoria.
Click here for Victoria hotel deals!
The Iconic Empress Hotel
Sidney, British Columbia to Ancortes
3 1/2 hour ferry ride
There is usually just one ferry a day from Sidney straight to Anacortes. It is recommended to arrive at the terminal at least 90 minutes prior to departure since there is USA customs involved.
Ferry ride from Sidney, BC to Anacortes
Anacortes (Fidalgo Island) to Mukilteo, Washington
67 mile car ride (109 km) + 30 minute ferry ride
The final leg of the San Juan Islands road trip has you looping back towards the Washington mainland. First travel south from Anacortes to Deception Pass State Park. Deception Pass is Washington’s most visited state park and for good reason. It has 50 miles of premier hiking, rugged coves, and a picture-perfect bridge that crosses the 180 feet clearance between Fidalgo and Whidbey Island.
Deception Pass Bridge
After spending some time in Deception Pass State Park, take a leisurely drive down the length of Whidbey Island. We love to stop at the sweet, little towns of Oak Harbor and Coupeville. Once you reach Clinton, mainland Washington is only a short 30 minute ferry ride away! Ferries depart every 30 minutes so it’s easier to take your time to get here and not have to make a reservation. Just make your way to the end of the island and get in line for the next scheduled departure. Once you’re on the other side at Mukilteo, you’re only about 50 minutes north of Seattle!
Whidbey Island
One of the many ferries going back and forth from Clinton (Whidbey Island) to Mukilteo. Once you’re off of the ferry in Mukilteo, take some photos of the picuturesque lighthouse!
Have you been or want to go on an epic road trip? Please share by commenting below! Any questions? Please ask!
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~ Carmen
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Trippin' Turpins (Kelly)
November 23, 2017 11:08 pmAwesome road/ferry trip! The area looks absolutely stunning. I love all the islands. I’d love to explore them in my sailboat
Pack Your Baguios
November 24, 2017 8:59 amThe waters seemed fairly calm so it would make for smooth sailing!
Angie (FeetDoTravel)
November 23, 2017 11:18 pmWhat a love road trip, I love that included ferries as well to break it up. Stunning scenery, but then again, I do love islands! #feetdotravel
Pack Your Baguios
November 24, 2017 9:00 amIt’s a great way to be able to explore the islands and still have your car with you!
Sarah
November 25, 2017 11:19 pmI love a road trip, it really reminds me of the quote “focus on the journey, not the destination” sometimes the road trip itself is more enjoyable than the final location.
Pack Your Baguios
November 26, 2017 10:20 amExactly! Some of our best experiences have been the little treasures we find along the way!
Sharla
November 26, 2017 1:58 pmI didn’t realize there were so many islands in that area! Looks like it was a fun trip! I love your video!
Pack Your Baguios
November 26, 2017 7:41 pmThanks! I’m learning about videos as we go!
Anthony Vade
November 26, 2017 7:16 pmThank you for this blog. We have lived in the Pacific Northwest for almost 10years and visited very few of these places. We are planning a trip in the new year and will absolutely follow your lead!
Pack Your Baguios
November 26, 2017 7:42 pmThat’s great to hear! With family in the area, we love to visit your beautiful part of the world!
Ruth
November 26, 2017 9:40 pmThis is one good road trip! I would like to do one like that or one around British Columbia. I do not think you can ask for best views and scenery. By the way, my husband and I argue all the time when we get on road trips. It is nothing major and it ends up being funny afterward. Sometimes, I get frustrated since my husband ask for directions every 5 minutes even when there is a big sign pointing the way to where we are going or to Los Angeles (when we are returning home). #feetdotravel
Pack Your Baguios
November 28, 2017 8:59 amWe’re the opposite. Joe doesn’t like to ask for directions until we’ve gone about 30 minutes in the wrong direction!
Marvi
November 27, 2017 1:01 amI’ve never been on a road trip for a while now, but your post makes me want to go on another one soon! 😀 You seemed to have a very enjoyable time on every trip with your family. The views at the Friday Harbor is breathtaking. I like how you’ve included details of every trip including the travel time and mode of transportation (like the ferry) and your post is very comprehensive too.. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Pack Your Baguios
November 28, 2017 9:00 amTraveling with Joe or other family members is my favorite thing to do. Hopefully, my girls will remember our trips and the bond we shared!
Yogita
November 27, 2017 1:02 amAwesome blog, very informative and great ideas. Love the photos. I am sure to visit the places you have recommended when I am in the area.
Pack Your Baguios
November 28, 2017 9:01 amGreat to hear!
Travel Lexx
November 27, 2017 5:17 pmSuch an awesome roadtrip! Love all the beautiful views and you have really sold the San Juan Islands to me. Washington State is somewhere that I really wish I went two years ago on my big USA trip so I really would love to follow in your footsteps Love the ferry rides too and sounds like a great time to unwind in between all the driving. Thanks for sharing!
Pack Your Baguios
November 28, 2017 9:03 amYou will just have to come back and visit someday!
Stephanie (1AdventureTraveler)
November 28, 2017 2:10 pmWhat an awesome road trip by ferry and car! Such beautiful photos and great video. The views along your journey were great, plus the details and driving times are very helpful. I like how this trip can be combined with the Olympic National Park Road Trip. This is definitely a trip I would love to try. Pinned for later use ? #feetdotravel
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 6:54 amIt is definitely one of the most unique road trips that we have planned. Needing the ferry gives the trip variety and diverse scenery, but makes planning/scheduling a bit more challenging.
Taiss (Together To Wherever)
November 28, 2017 11:54 pmThis sounds like a fantastic road trip to take in the late summer months! There is so much beauty in that area and so many Islands (I had no idea!). I love that you give us the miles it takes to get to each destination and how long to expect to stay there, give a better idea for the planner. I would not have known that you need to make prior reservations for the ferry so I’m glad you mention it so that people don’t get stuck and having to spend extra time they didn’t have planned.
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 6:56 amThe ferries are at vehicle capacity on the summer weekends with people from the mainland getting away. The days we traveled during the week weren’t as much of a problem, but we didn’t want to take any chances!
James
December 1, 2017 5:10 amI never knew this road trip or islands existed. I thought it was Victoria then Vancouver! The scenery in this part of the world is so beautiful, I would definitely take this road and ferry trip.
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 6:59 amWe’ve done a Seattle–Vancouver—Victoria loop, and it was a really good road trip. Unfortunately, it was way before we started the blog, so the pictures are pretty sucky! You’re great photography skills, you’d be in heaven in the San Juan Islands.
Meagan
December 2, 2017 10:07 amI spent a brief visit in the San Juan Islands a few years ago after a daylong whale-watching trip – but this sounds like a far better and more fun way to do it! We recently road tripped between Seattle and Banff, and I think we’d both be open to another road trip with gorgeous scenery and the smell of the sea 😉 thanks for the awesome writeup!
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 7:00 amI think any road trip that includes Washington State & Canada is a winner! Banff is on our list!
Anushka
December 3, 2017 6:13 amWhat an amazing Road trip, I like the way you have summed up your journey. I am surely craving for a road trip now after reading your post.
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 7:01 amWe love a good road trip! I actually have two more I need to write up!
neha
December 3, 2017 6:46 amI have always wanted to do an island hopping trip. The itinerary and the hops that you have placed looks perfect. I will save this for future reference and when I happen to be in the US, will love to take this trip. The islands look very pristine and so un-spoilt.
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 7:02 amEven in the summer, the islands aren’t that crowded!
Paula - Gone with the Wine
December 3, 2017 1:50 pmWow! That looks like a cool road trip! I always thought that the San Juan Islands were part of a National Parks System? We are planning to visit our relatives in Seattle at some point and maybe this kind of a road trip could work for us. Thanks for sharing!
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2017 8:10 pmThere are a few areas in the National Park system–San Juan Island National Historical Park is of course on San Juan Island. This historical area is where the US and Britain conflicted over ownership of the island. Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve is on Whidbey Island. It celebrates the pioneers of Puget Sound. The other main parks on the San Juan Islands are state parks.
Suma
December 4, 2017 7:33 amI used to go on roadtrips with my family as a kid a lot. But over the years, we hve slowly started to opt for shorter duration mode of travel. But nevertheless roadtrips are the best way to make priceless memories while travelling. Lovely post on your trip, all the pictures look amazing, I’m actually surprised that there are so many islands in the area.
Pack Your Baguios
December 4, 2017 2:43 pmWe tend to take a lot of weekend road trips which aren’t quite as tiring as long ones.
Kreete Tokman
December 10, 2017 2:29 amI love how you have included maps of each journey as well! I can totally relate to having the best memories from travelling by car and yes I can also remember the arguments haha! All part of the fun! Loved reading about your adventure!
Pack Your Baguios
December 10, 2017 7:30 amThanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed the post.