RV Rental Washington
Washington State is simply made for a road trip! From the lively Seattle streets to the snow-capped peaks of the Cascades, misty forests, wild Pacific coastline and tranquil mountain towns, there is an incredible amount to see beyond the cities.
Hiring an RV frees you up to experience the United States all at your own pace. Spend a few days exploring Seattle, head towards Mount Rainier, follow the coast around the Olympic Peninsula or venture north into the iconic Cascades. With your accommodation travelling with you, you can build a road trip around the places you actually want to see rather than planning your entire trip around hotel availability!
Why Explore Washington by RV?
Washington is particularly well suited to a road trip because the landscape changes so dramatically from one hour to the next. You can go from city sights and popular waterfront restaurants to mountain trails, forests and beaches without ever feeling the need to choose.
That said, Washington State is especially popular amongst outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, cycling, kayaking, wildlife watching and sightseeing can all fit into the same trip, since there are state parks galore.
An RV also gives you a lot more flexibility when travelling as a family or group. Instead of packing and unpacking every few days, you’ll have your own space throughout the journey. Being able to self-cater also makes longer road trips a whole lot more financially manageable.
Choose the Right RV for Your Washington Road Trip
Whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends or as a family, you’ll find the motorhome to suit your group and trip. Compact campervans are a practical choice for couples and solo travellers, especially if you're combining Seattle with mountain or coastal stops. Larger motorhomes, like the Class C options, offer more space, sleeping capacity and onboard facilities for families or longer trips.
When booking with an RV rental company through our useful comparison platform, consider the number of people travelling, how much living space you need and where you plan to go.
Why? Because a smaller RV’s easier to manoeuvre on tight roads, while a larger motorhome gives you that extra bit of comfort that makes a longer road trip so easy to do.
Where to Go on a Washington RV Road Trip
There’s definitely no single 'best' Washington itinerary. Your ideal road trip route depends on how long you have to roam and whether you want to concentrate on mountains, coastline, cities or a mix of everything. That said, here are some of the top sights and cities that people love to visit in Washington State:
Seattle
Seattle is a super easy place to start your Washington adventure. Fly into Seattle International Airport, grab your RV from our suppliers, and head off! We suggest exploring Pike Place Market, the waterfront and neighbourhoods like Capitol Hill and Ballard before leaving the city behind and heading towards the mountains.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is one of Washington's defining landmarks, with an over 14 thousand-foot active volcano surrounded by forests, meadows and glaciers. The national park is around 65 miles southeast of downtown Seattle, so it’s a natural next stop.
The park has hiking trails and viewpoints throughout, but it’s important to note that conditions can change quickly. Summer is generally the warmest and driest period, but higher elevations will probably still have snow well into July. So, always check road, weather and trail conditions before setting out.
Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park
For a completely different side of Washington, head west towards the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park encompasses almost a million acres and protects an extraordinary mix of glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rainforest and more than 70 miles of wild coastline.
This is an excellent area for a slower RV itinerary. You can combine forest walks and mountain scenery with coastal stops, lakes and the small communities that dot the peninsula.
If you're planning to explore the park properly, don’t try fit this into a day. Distances can look deceptively short on a map, and weather, road conditions and seasonal closures can all affect your plans.
North Cascades
Head north from Seattle, and the scenery changes again. North Cascades National Park is less than three hours from Seattle, but it has a dramatic alpine landscape of jagged peaks, glaciers, forests and deep valleys that will make you feel like you’re in another world. Especially if you peek into the Columbia River Gorge, which reaches up to 4,000 feet deep and winds through the Cascade Range.
The North Cascades are perfect for travellers who want to centre their Washington trip around hiking and scenery.
Washington's Pacific Coast
Washington's coastline offers another great reason to travel via campervan. Beaches, forested coastal landscapes and small communities provide plenty of opportunities to slow the pace.
Consider combining the coast with Olympic National Park for a route that takes in mountains, rainforest and the Pacific Northwest in one trip. Just remember that coastal weather can be erratic, so keep a little flexibility in your itinerary.
We also want to note that we’re occasionally asked if you can take an RV to the San Juan Islands - yes, you can, but you’d need to take one of the Washington State Ferries from Anacortes.
Camping with an RV in Washington
Washington State has a strong campsite network, including many RV-friendly ones. Washington State Parks currently manages more than 140 parks, historic sites, trails, marine parks and other properties. Some are also specifically angled towards motorhomes, like Lake Pleasant RV Park or North Spokane RV Campground.
Facilities range from basic sites to partial and full hook-up options.
During busy periods, we recommend booking ahead. Washington State Parks allows campsite reservations up to nine months in advance, while some parks also offer first-come, first-served sites. Same-day reservations for reservable campgrounds are also available until 2 pm on the day of arrival.
We also want to note that if you’re excited for the pet-friendly RV rentals available, the good news is that there are also pet-friendly RV campgrounds in Washington - so take your favourite adventure buddy with you!
When’s the Best Time to Visit Washington by RV?
The answer to that really depends on what you want to do.
Spring’s a beautiful time to sightsee if you’re staying at lower elevations. Forests and landscapes become greener, and most destinations have fewer visitors than in summer. Higher mountain areas will likely still have snow.
Summer is the classic season for a Washington RV trip. Longer days make it easier to combine driving, hiking and sightseeing, although popular parks and campsites will likely be busy. Mount Rainier's July and August period is generally its warmest and driest.
Autumn’s lovely if you want cooler temperatures and changing foliage (a seasonal favourite). It’s worth checking road and campsite conditions as the season progresses, though.
Winter opens up a different side of Washington, but snow and wet weather can affect mountain routes. As a rule of thumb, if you’re travelling outside summer, check forecasts, road conditions and individual park opening information before setting off.
Tips for Hiring an RV in Washington
A little planning can make a big difference to your trip.
Choose your vehicle around your route: A compact campervan is easier for city stops and winding roads, while a larger RV offers more space for families or friends.
Check the vehicle dimensions: If you plan to use mountain or coastal roads, make sure you're comfortable with the vehicle's length, height and width.
Book popular campsites early: This is particularly useful for summer trips and national park visits.
Leave flexibility in your itinerary: Washington's weather can change quickly, particularly in mountainous areas.
Check park conditions before travelling: Road closures, construction, snow and other conditions can affect access to national parks and recreation areas.
Think about hook-ups: If you want regular access to electricity, water or sewer connections, choose campsites that specifically offer the facilities you need.