Fly from London into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, arriving the same day. Here, you’ll pick up your hire car and drive into the city to your hotel for the night. Spend your first evening enjoying some of the Emerald City’s famous attractions. Stay 1 night at the Warwick Hotel (or similar).
Start your road trip today, heading north towards the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. Spend the afternoon exploring this stunning provincial capital. Perhaps take the tramway up to the summit of Grouse Mountain or walk along the sea wall in the beautiful Stanley Park. Stay 2 nights at the Quality Hotel Vancouver (or similar).
Day 3: Vancouver
There’s a full day to explore today. Perhaps head for the Kitsilano district where you’ll find some of Vancouver's best museums along with the city’s most popular beach. You could also take a trip to the pretty provincial capital of Victoria on Vancouver Island or visit Gastown, the site of Vancouver’s oldest European settlement.
Day 4: Vancouver – Fraser Canyon - Kamloops (approx. 268 miles)
Your journey today takes you along the route the gold prospectors would have taken through the Fraser River Canyon on their way to the gold fields of the Cariboo region. After lunch, continue along the Thompson River, which was named after the famous explorer and trapper, David Thompson. You’ll reach the town of Kamloops late in the afternoon. Stay 1 night at the Accent Inn Kamloops (or similar).
Day 5: Kamloops – Jasper National Park (approx. 280 miles)
Continue north today as the landscape becomes more mountainous. Your route takes you along the Yellowhead Highway, passing the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, along the way. Soon you’ll enter the beautiful Jasper National Park. Stay 1 night at the Mount Robson Inn (or similar).
Day 6: Jasper National Park – Banff National Park (approx. 180 miles)
Drive along the world famous Icefields Parkway, which runs parallel to the Continental Divide. Along the way, you’ll pass the Columbia Icefield, which is the largest body of ice south of the Arctic Circle. Also worth a visit is Lake Louise, an idyllic emerald green colour lake, popular with tourists. Stay 1 night at the Quality Chateau Canmore (or similar).
Day 7: Banff National Park - Calgary
Why not spend some time having a look around Banff this morning? There may even be time for a dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs before you hit the road again and head through the lovely Bow River Valley to Calgary. Make time to wander around Alberta’s largest city before your last night in Canada. Stay 1 night at the Sandman Hotel Calgary West (or similar).
Day 8: Calgary – Waterton Lakes National Park – Glacier National Park - Kalispell (approx.219 miles)
Start your journey south today as you drive through Waterton Lakes National Park. Across the international boundary, you are into Montana’s Glacier National Park, a geological wonderland of soaring peaks and glacial rivers. If weather permits, don’t miss the Going-to-the-Sun road before continuing to Kalispell. Stay 1 night at the Red Lion Kalispell (or similar).
Day 9: Kalispell – Yellowstone National Park (approx. 390 miles)
Today, pass Flathead Lake en route to the Continental Divide and the open skies of Western Montana. Your destination is Yellowstone National Park, a huge geothermal area widely considered to be the world’s oldest established national park. Stay 1 night at the Brandin Iron Motel (or similar).
Day 10: Yellowstone National Park - Grand Teton National Park – Jackson (approx. 120 miles)
Continue through the breathtaking scenery of Yellowstone and into Grand Teton National Park, a landscape rich with wildlife, pristine lakes and towering peaks. Your destination for the night is the rural town of Jackson. Stay 1 night at the Virginian Lodge (or similar).
Day 11: Jackson – Craters of the Moon – Twin Falls (approx. 270 miles)
Drive west today and cross the state line into Idaho to experience one of America’s highest concentrations of volcanic features at the Craters of the Moon National Monument .You'll also want to stop at the spectacular Shoshone Falls, known as the Niagara Falls of the West. From here, it’s just a short drive to Twin Falls. Stay 1 night at the Red Lion Hotel Canyon Springs (or similar).
Day 12: Twin Falls – Oregon Trail – Boise - Pendleton (approx. 338 miles)
On your way through vast Boise National Forest today, you'll see a remaining stretch of the Oregon Trail which brought over 400,000 settlers into the West during the 1800s. Continue to Boise, state capital of Idaho before continuing to Baker City, where you can find out more about the history of the Oregon Trail at a dedicated museum. From here, drive to Pendleton, the home of the annual Pendleton Round-Up-Rodeo. Stay 1 night at the Shilo Inn Richland (or similar).
Day 13: Pendleton – Mount Rainier National Park Area - Yakima (approx. 226 miles)
Continue your journey north west towards Yakima, through an agricultural region known for its production of apples, cherries, peaches, apricots and pears. In Mount Rainier National Park, look out for the towering peak of an ice-clad extinct volcano. Overnight in Yakima. Stay 1 night at the Red Lion Yakima Center (or similar).
Day 14: Yakima - Seattle (approx. 135 miles)
With the peak of Mount Rainier still in view, make your way on to Seattle today, arriving in the early afternoon. There’s still time to explore and buy last minute souvenirs. Perhaps go and watch the traders hawk their wares at the bustling Pike Place Market and then take in the views with dinner at the iconic Space Needle. Stay 1 night at the Warwick Hotel (or similar).
Day 15: Seattle - London
At the end of your fly drive holiday, return your car to Seattle airport and catch your return flight to Seattle. If you would like to add extra nights in Washington State and beyond, please let us know so that we can help tailor make your holiday.