4 Scenic Drives Around Sumner

Washington state has some of the most breathtaking environments in America. From the vast forests and snow-capped mountains in the west to the rugged deserts and inspiring steppes to the east, Washington has practically every kind of natural vista that’s worth looking at. And if you ever find yourself in Sumner, east of Tacoma, here are a few scenic drive ideas that will let you taken in all the views you never knew you were missing.

I-90

The I-90 highway starts in Seattle and wanders east through Idaho and Montana, crossing the whole nation to ultimately end in Boston, Massachusetts. Along the way, this road crosses through everything Washington has to offer, from the thick firs and snowy peaks of Snoqualmie Pass to the cultivated fields and lakes outside Spokane. If you want to make a loop around the western end, turn south on I-82 and then west on US-12 and WA-410 for a close approach to Mount Rainier that ends in the Tacoma area.

US-101

While I-5 will get you straight from Seattle to Portland, Oregon, US-101 is for those who would rather take the scenic route. US-101 separates from I-5 and then wanders all around the Olympic Peninsula until it finally reaches the Pacific coastline and follows it south into Oregon. For a better view of the islands west of Seattle, try taking WA-16 out of Tacoma until it becomes WA-3 and then 104 before meeting up with US-101. To see the northernmost point of the Olympic Peninsula, head north on WA-112, a 65-mile highway that ends in the Makah Indian Reservation.

Mercer Island

Just east of Seattle and across a long I-90 bridge lies Mercer Island, which is the name of both the city and the island. To properly explore this picturesque and heavily forested island, head south along East or West Mercer Way and keep going until it loops around the entire length of the island and returns to the highway. Along the way, you’ll see aging houses of all different styles, awesome views of Lake Washington, and thousands upon thousands of different trees.

The Hood Canal Loop

This drive starts and ends with a Seattle ferry. Start by taking the Edmonds ferry to Kingston and follow the WA-104 signs into Port Gamble (full of museums and antique shops), then head across the floating Hood Canal Bridge. After that, go north on WA-19 and either stop off in Port Townsend for some seafood or turn south on WA-20 to reach US-101.

From there it’s a long, visually stunning drive down the east side of the Olympic Peninsula until you spot WA-106 and head east to enjoy the tail end of Hood Canal. Once you’re past that, it’s time to head northeast on WA-3 until you reach Bremerton and can take the ferry back to Seattle.

The Pacific Northwest has a natural beauty you’ll find nowhere else in the world. It shouldn’t be missed by anyone who lives in the area, and thanks to the US highway system, you can see it all with just an afternoon drive.