Chuckanut Drive Reviews

This is a lovely drive on a sunny day. Took it as scenic route on drive from Whiterock Canada to visit La Conner , Washington. Took Hwy 20 and 5 home. La Conner...what a great place for a walkabout and very different shopping. Lunch at Waterfront Pub on boardwalk great. Have the cod fish and chips or the chowder.

This is one of the prettiest drives in the state. Especially in the fall. I used to treat myself to the drive home from work coming Chuckanut Drive. Great hikes and restaurants along the way.

What a surprise. Found this drive on way into Bellingham from Larrabee State Park. Beautiful views of Puget Sound winding through lush forests.

The drive from FairHaven to Burlington on Highway 11 is gorgeous! Remember to stop off at Taylor Shellfish for oysters and/or dungeness crab, and at the Oyster Bar for a scenic lunch or dinner. Highly recommended.

Chuckanet Drive is the original highway into Bellingham. It’s best taken slow as it’s very curvy. There are a couple good restaurants on the way and many great views of the Sound and San Juan Island. Stop at the Chuckanut Gallery for some lovely local art!

Gorgeous drive with several scenic overlooks. The road is on the edge of a cliff, so we did not encounter trails to hike. Very historic. Stop in Bows at the end and grab a bite at Tweets.

Enjoy the farms as you enter the drive on the south end. Then you get to drive in the woods and along the water all the way to Bellingham. There will be cyclists on the road with little to no shoulder so please be careful! This drive is for someone who wants a nice slow drive and is interested in pulling over and enjoying nature at its finest. Lots of areas to pull over and park out of the way of traffic. You will also be able to visit Larrabee State Park - the first state park in WA.

One of our favorite drives. Wonderful drive in spring, summer, and fall. Never have driven in winter. Curvy 2 lane drive among the trees.

This scenic route was recommended to us by a relative who lives in Washington. You see mountains, wooded area, lakes and beaches. Spanish Bay with its oyster beds for great to see.

Chukanut Drive/ highway 11 is a must do. We drove the entire way and hiked a state park in one morning. We were sorry to be too early to eat at Oyster bay since it looked amazing. You see beautiful mountains, the ocean, old trees, and oyster beds.

Make sure you are the passenger so you can take in all the views otherwise as the driver you need to kee your eyes on the tight windy road

Chuckanut Drive is one of the most scenic drives in WA and a great, off the freeway road to Bow/ Edison and on to Anacortes. Stop by Woodstock Farm on the way out of Bellingham. Other stops are Clayton Beach and Larrabee State park. Bow has places to eat, art galleries and interesting shops. There are several good restaurants along Chuckanut and if you love seafood, stop by Taylors Shellfish farm where picnic tables by the bay provide the perfect picnic setting.

Beautiful drive on the way to mount Vernon. It never gets old looking at the sights and sceinory on this drive

Yesterday my wife and I detoured from our drive along the Cascade Loop and went north on I - 5 to see the Chuckanut Drive (from the north to south and return to the Cascade Loop). Overall we were not impressed with the views from the overlooks as often tree growth blocks a significant amount of the view. My wife has limited mobility so we don't walk trails so perhaps they may offer better views. Having researched about this drive, we decided if we had to do over again we would have just stayed on the Cascade Loop and see more of the islands in Puget Sound.

This is a nice drive in the summer with some great four star restaurants. After getting onto Chuckanut Drive from I-5 be sure to stop in Bow to visit the tasting room at organic Salish Bay Cheese. Larabee State Park is about half way along the drive and is a beautiful park and a perfect place for a picnic or stroll on the beach. Be sure to have a discovery pass or pay for a one day pass at the park.
Now a few things to be aware of. There are a lot of trailheads on this drive so there will often be lots of cars parked on both sides of the road. A lot of motorcyclists drive this road and those riding “sport bikes(not Harley’s) tend to drive xtremely fast and pass in areas they shouldn’t. In the winter after a lot of rain rock slides tend to occur in some areas so be aware. In spite of the warnings this is a nice day trip for the family or anyone else.

Beautiful drive... Narrow road in spots...overhanging trees..very pretty! A few spots to park and trails to take you near the water.

This is one of the most memorable things I have ever done. The drive along Chuckanut gives you beautiful views of the ocean, natural landscape, cascading trees and so much more. We went a day early on a cruise, rented a car and drove up, had lunch in Bellingham and then drove right back down to see it from a different angle. It's beautiful, relaxing and free.

$3 Craft Beer on Monday’s and $8 Liters on Friday’s = true love. Really great place with really great owners. People that truly know and appreciate beer 🍺

Take your time on this wonderful drive. Great views of the bay with a number of turn outs for photos

This is a must for visitors. Lovely drive and views. Continue into Edison and stop at the bakery and the few shops.

... a scenic diversion off the I-5 .
Just past Bellingham, WA., take Rte.#11 for a scenic drive. You past Fairhaven, Larabee State Park, then continue on to Chuckanut Drive. The drive follows the coastline, there is an Oyster Bar, and several restaurants on Chuckanut Drive. The 2 lane route offers you glimpses of the shoreline, then continues and rejoins I-5.

for a great outing, this is great i live in Arlington so it is close the views are wonderful at the end the little town has great shops we had a great lunch it was a great outing.

Great views of San Juan Islands, a few great picnic spots and viewpoints, an oyster farm, restaurants, popular hiking trails, a long history, and a mountain-hugging road - what's not to love? Look out for cyclists!

I live right off of this hwy and can tell you its one of the most scenic in the nation! Larabee state park and tons of trailheads, nude beach and oyster farm along the road!

our family took the chuckanut drive from bellingham to the south. vey enjoyable to just slow down and enjoy the view. toward the end there is a small little cafe called the Farm to Market bakery. You must stop and try one of their bakery items. Everything is made on site and it was awesome.

We took the scenic route via Chuckanut drive starting from Fairhaven historic district and drove south, which is definitely the better direction to drive in. It was a very beautiful and relaxing drive south, with some fantastic vistas of the Bellingham Bay visible from multiple vista points along route. It was the first road to connect Bellingham with the southern part of Washington and was initially a part of the Pacific Highway stretching from Vancouver to San Diego. The winding road, dotted with trees and with the presence of multiple parks and scenic points makes for a serene and memorable short road trip. We did notice a number of trailheads that dot the Chuckanut Drive, though we didn't stop at any. The Taylor Shellfish Farm and Larrabee State Park are located along this road. Meandering road along the Puget Sound, in all its beauty, is a must do if you can afford the time - this spectacular drive is not something to be rushed!

We really enjoyed this scenic drive.
Breathtaking views of the ocean and park like settings.
Beautiful ocean front houses and a very tranquil drive that we enjoyed very much.

If you're looking to get from point A to point B, take the freeway. If you're looking to spend a day exploring the Skagit Valley and Fairhaven, take Chuckanut. The views over the sound are outstanding. But Chuckanut Drive offers more. We stopped at Samish Bay Cheese just west of Chuckanut on Bow Hill Road. And then we headed east to the hamlet of Edison where we visited The Breadfarm bakery, Smith and Vallee gallery, and Slough Food. At the northern end, we spend a couple hours exploring Fairhaven. A great day...

On a hot summer day in a Miata, this is a pleasant drive. It is nice to get off of the I-5, enjoy a few twisties and drive in the cool shade of the trees. We went north to south. We started at Fairhaven (worth a stop). The drive is not long. It is a bit narrow and if you get stuck behind a slow driver, it can be a drag. Fortunately for us, the slow drivers pulled over and we were able to pass and enjoy a spirited but safe run. At the south end, we stopped a the Chuckanut Manor for lunch with a view.

The best way to approach Bellingham is from the south on Chuckanut Drive. The views are killer and the oysters are as fresh as they come. Great hiking choices along here.

It is not as great in summer. I think fall will be more beautiful but nevertheless it was great driving close to sea.

We had left Semiahmoo Resort on our way back home and decided to go on Chuckanut Drive. I only wish it wasn't so smokey from all of the Forrest Fires in the Northwest. We couldn't enjoy all of the views of the Olympics, San Juan Islands, or just the Bay...I know it is there and would recommend this short drive from Bellingham to Mt Vernon anytime, maybe not in the Winter pretty steep and winding road.

The drive is scenic. Have done it before in summer too. Worth a visit if u live in Washington. 2 main restaurants on the drive, with nice views.

If you're in the vicinity, you must take this route. It is very beautiful and very relaxing, no big trucks, and whenever I've driven it, even in the middle of summer, there hasn't been much traffic. Do it on a nice day and when you have lots of time, because if you're anything like us, you will be stopping to take many photos.

We decided to take this recommended scenic drive, pretty trees just barely starting to change colors, ocean bay along parts of it, some of the road windy but a nice change of pace from the busy freeway. Lovely.

Right in my backyard. I take this drive whenever I can from Skagit County to Bellingham on Chuckanut Drive. So many places to pull of and enjoy

This drive is great, beautiful views if the weather cooperates and lots of little shops to stop in at.

We were looking forward to taking this drive. What a disappointment!!! We thought we would be travelling along the water and having great views. When we finally reached the water area, the few turnouts there were over grown.....

I wish it was longer, but all the same, great run along the water. I like the runs South as you are on the water side

A relatively quiet coastal drive of aprox. 22 miles south of Bellingham WA. Beautiful views of the shore and coastal plain from high above the water. Very wooded and remote feeling, even though you are so close to an urban area. Stop and have lunch at Taylor's Shellfish Farm, or the Chuckanut Manor.

Chuckanut Drive is only about 10 miles long but has some of the best views in Washington.

Slow down and pull over and enjoy the views.

Bring a camera.
Sunset is amazing
Road is very windy and gets very narrow in places. Also is known for slides too.

This worth the drive just because it is so lush and green. Lots of hikes to do along the drive. Be prepared for steep climbs.

Tired of freeway driving? Want the pleasure of a road that goes through scenic areas with stops along the way for a variety of scenic views? Take the Chuckanut Drive. I like roads that curve along a mountain with water on the other side. Along the Chuckanut Drive, the water is sometimes ocean and sometimes lake. The road is sometimes straight and flat through farmland or hilly and curvey in mountains. Something folks who love to actually Drive will enjoy. Parts of the road reminded me of the fun of driving Maui's Road to Hana.

Take three extra hours - 1.5 to detour off I5, and drive the beautiful road with amazing views, another 1.5 to experience Chuckanut Manor Seafood and Grill - also a 5! The road is carved out of a steep mountain with amazing water and island views. Drivers keep your eye on the road though because it's a long way down if you run off the road!

We have heard about this must do drive for a few years and this past weekend decided to do it. Having boon hundreyof scenic drives, we were very much looking forward to it. However, this is way over hyped. While it is nice, it is extremely short. 20 minutes and it’s over. It took an hour to get there!!
Not impressed.

This is one of the most scenic drives along this section of ocean. The road is narrow and winding but the views are wonderful. I suggest that if you are driving, return over the road as a passenger to enjoy the views. Drive with care and enjoy.

This drive along the coast came highly recommended by TripAdvisor. And, as someone else noted, it is a peaceful and quite pretty alternative to taking I5 into Bellingham. The road is in great condition and borders the water, where you can take in the sights. You could, like we did, make it part of a fun day exploring Bellingham.

Drove this by happenstance and did not regret it. Beautiful drive from oyster beds and tidal flats of the Samish lowlands to Fairhaven Historic District. Some older small communities are set along the way and feel like they are still back in time (my favorite is Edison). Take the time, stay off I-5 it only adds about 10-15 minutes to your drive. Worth it.

If you like great views and winding roads, this is a beautiful drive! We had visited Birch Bay and were on the to Anacortes, so we decided to take Chuckanut; I am so glad we did! The weather was perfect, the drive along Samish Bay beautiful, the road, while a bit tight in places has great curves and we enjoyed the pullouts. The road is 22 miles long and commercial trucks over 18000 lbs. and tour buses are not allowed; RVs are not recommended.
If you want to stop at the State Park a Discovery Pass is needed.

Drove Chuckanut Drive because of its beauty. It did not disappoint. The sunset was amazing and we turned on several roads off the drive for fun to explore. Found ourselves at the boat launch where we spent some time birding. Got some amazing photos of a blue heron fishing there. Also rewarded by seeing the gates and fronts of homes that one could only imagine living in.

Chuckanut Drive is the best. The spectacular views are reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast or the Costa Brava. It blew me away, and we did it twice in a weekend, attempting to stop along the way. Yet, parking was difficult. I must come back in the autumn and during the week, when there will be less maskless tourists ignoring Covid. Parks and walks along the way are beautiful. Chuckanut Drive is a national treasure without the media attention that would ruin it. Hopefully, it will remain "under the radar."

The samish lookout is very easy to get to and has an amazing view from the top. You go up the Blachard hill road, which is gravel, and then follow the road all the way to the top. From there you get an amazing view of Islands along with Skagit and Whatcom County. If you are looking for an easy way to see what you see from Oyster Dome, this is it. There also is a trail that goes from the Samish lookout to Oyster Dome and then you can bypass some of the incline.

this is a great place to see for sure we really enjoyed the drive ,however it is to short will only take less than one hour,but worth the drive for sure! lots of places to pull over and take great pictures also !

its a gorgeous view, have someone else drive so that you can look safely. there's too much to see and drive =>

We drove on the road off I5 all the way to the end. Half way we stopped by the restaurant for lunch. The restaurant is facing the water surrounded by trees, and it’s very romantic to be there with my boyfriend. It’s a drive must go if your heading south.

If you are traveling from Seattle to Vancouver or going the opposite way and looking for a cure for I-5 drudgery travel the Chuckanut. You won't regret it. Traveling north turn off near Burlington and heading south exit the I-5 at Fairhaven. The construction of the Chuckanut began in 1895 and it became Route 99. Part of it runs through Larrabee State Park, Washington's oldest state park. Less than 22 miles long the Chuckanut twists and turns through densely forested woodland offering breathtaking glimpses of Puget Sound. Driving the narrow road under the forest canopy is almost magical and gives you a feeling of what road travel was like a century ago. There are several viewpoints along the route but parking is at a minimum. The northern terminus is the town of Fairhaven, a 19th Century gem in its own right. I have been driving the Chuckanut for more than 30 years and it never loses its allure.

Stunning scenery. It is a must, if you are staying in the area.It is about 11 miles long. I ahve done the drive two times.

This road is promoted as a scenic drive but, as another reviewer accurately reported, the trees along the way almost completely obscure any view of the water. Would you go to Mt. Rushmore if shrubbery covered up the sculptures? Would you visit the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone if there was a wall around it? Probably not. Don't take this drive expecting to see beautiful views of the coastline and water. As you head south and leave the shoreline there is a pleasant flat section that travels through various farms. But you can find the same thing in any number of places around Washington. This drive could be so much better if someone just made a minimal effort to trim a few trees in a handful of spots.

I like to take the Chuckanut Drive Exit OFF I-5 to get away from Traffic and enjoy the Stunning Ocean Views and Tranquility of this drive for 21 Miles. Doesn't take that much longer. Hey lunch would be fun too.

I live in Washington for almost 6 years always driving to Canada and see the sign for chuckanut drive and I always here people saying it amazing drive so finally we drive and it was really memorable drive . We got to see amazing north west nature ! Really recommend the drive!

Everyone should take a trip down Chuckanut Drive at least once - some beautiful views and pullouts to take pictures or just ponder.

We only drove the first part of Chuckanut Drive to Chuckanut Bay as we were looking to get to the hiking trail entrance. From what we saw on the drive, it is very scenic. We had hoped to see more views on our hike but the path is surrounded by trees so not very much to see but it kept us in the shade. Rolling hills on the upper part of hike and only saw one trail runner and one mountain biker. We made a wrong turn to get to Raptor Ridge so will have to come back another time.

We stayed in a VRBO on Chuckanut Drive, so this was a natural extension of our trip. It's a nice drive, but rather like our home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Don't expect much in the way of sea or island views as houses and wooded lots are along the cost blocking the views. There are a few parks to stop in with hiking axcess to the coast, so if you are going to really make the most of the day be sure to get a park pass for parking.

Beautiful and incredible drive. Oyster bar great place to stop. Drive slow to enjoy the view. Pull over at stops.

An old friend from Toronto was in Vancouver for a conference. He rented a motorcycle and met me in Bellingham. It was fun to escort someone who had never been to Washington state on a two wheel tour of Chuckanut and on down to the Skagit Valley. No traffic on a Monday morning and we stopped at all the turnout for the good views. 3 huges ships were heading to Anacortes. Road was in good shape and just a nice ride.

Chuckanut Drive is beautiful, the a few hundred feet above it is the old Chuckanut road. It’s a path for walking and mountain biking.
That’s where you want to be!!! What a beautiful walk. It’s goes all the way into Bellingham. Stellar Brie was of forest Ans ocean. It’s smells of pine trees! It lovely.

Get out of your can and check out this easy walk. You won’t regret it!

The view is blocked by tall trees. There is a park on the way called Larrabee State Park. Don't even think of not paying the state park fee, because they come pretty often to check that you pay, and if you don't, you get a 99 dollar ticket. Even if you decide to go for a hike there is a parking lot, but you need to pay for parking. On the way there are places to stop and have lunch. You can exit from freeway 5 coming from Seattle outside Burlington, there are signs on the freeway. You finish in Fairhaven, where there are many brick buildings from the nineteenth century. There are many stores, that sell antiques, books, etc. etc.

We did it twice because we loved this drive so much. A few good viewpoits and many beautiful houses.

what a great drive to view the water and tree plus you can park at a aprk and walk down to the water i tel all my friends to do this drive

What a beautiful drive just off Interstate 5, we started just outside Bellingham and drove south towards Seattle. We were fortunate to be there during low tide for some of the drive and could see the oyster beds that were being grown. We only observed from the road, as we didn't want to disturb anything.

Wonderful place to take some awesome scenery pictures, but not so long that it becomes boring. Beautiful. You feel like you are part of the forest in parts.

We caught the drive just past Bow and drove it up to Fairhaven. The drive was lovely, and there were maybe three stops with lookouts over the water. At one of them, you have to climb the rocks to the south of the parking area to see anything, but there is definitely a worthwhile view. At another, if you’re feeling adventurous, take the dirt path down the hill - there’s a rope to help with the climb. Overall, it was worth the time, particularly if you’re going to spend some time in Fairhaven anyway.

Enjoy the colors & the water view. The drive is just breath taking & a great alternative route to I-5. Beauty surrounds you at every turn.

This is a great alternative to taking I-5 to Bellingham, especially if you are a first time visitor and want a scenic drive. Cuckanut Drive offers some spectacular views of the water and there are many good seafood restaurants along the rout. There are also a number of places where you can stop and do some hiking, sometimes down to the water.

Can't say enough about this Gorgeous - mountain drive with beautiful views of the Chuckanut Bay. a must do! Don't miss it!

This beautiful scenic drive takes you along the shoreline of Samish Bay, north of Seattle. You’re driving along the cliffside in somewhat winding roads with trees on both sides. Aside from the occasional jerks who want to use the road as a semi-race course, it is a very pleasant drive and you experience a quintessential northwest passage. However, to get the most out of the experience, you need to make stops along the way, especially if you want to be near the actual shoreline. Landmarks include the Taylor Shellfish Farm, Larrabee State Park, and one of the handful of restaurants along the way. This is a great way to spend half or a full day with family, friends, or as a romantic getaway.

Chuckanut Drive, a.k.a. state highway 11, is accessed from I-5 on the south just past Burlington and Mount Vernon and runs about 21 miles until you reach the south end of Bellingham. Beginning at the south at exit 231 off I-5, you first drive through about five miles of farmland before reaching the water. Depending on the time of day you drive, you can stop at one of the restaurants along the drive, such as the Chuckanut Manor (also a b&b) which has parking or the Oyster Bar, which you will know you are near because of all the cars parked along the highway.

Taylor Shellfish Farms is a must stop even if you are not a shellfish fan. There is a sign for the entrance just past a hairpin curve; you drive down a narrow road, over the railroad tracks down to the shore where the farm is located. The farm raises its own oysters – and when the tide is low, you can see the many beds along the shore. The retail store sells more than just oysters, and you can buy it to bring home (they will pack your seafood in ice) or you can eat it there; there are tables and grilling areas are outside.

There are a number of vista pullouts along the highway that you can take some great pictures of the bay. If you enjoy hiking, a number of trailheads are along the road, so you can park at one of the pullouts and begin your hike there.

Larrabee State Park offers access to rocky beaches, trails, and if you so desire, camping. As a state park, you do need a Discovery Pass to park there. We hiked the short trail down to the beach. At the beach, you get a clear view out into the bay where you can sit on the beach, explore the tidepools, or hike to other spots for better views.

I recommend experiencing Chuckanut Drive rather than just driving it. Get off the paved roads and explore. If you just expect to drive along the beach, you’ll be disappointed. If you want to see Pacific Northwest beauty and experience its natural beauty first-hand, this is a place to go.

This is a nice alternative to the Interstate. Loved the pretty trees and views. We also stopped at Chuckanut Manor Seafood and Grill along the way. It is not listed among the restaurants. It is in Bow, WA. We loved it. We were seated by the fireplace and had a panoramic view out the window. Food was delicious: fried oysters, whiskey crab soup, house salad. Loved it and the drive.

I have done this drive twice now and it is gloriously beautiful. To be fair, both times I have done it, I have been blessed with lovely weather. The drive is twisty and narrow, but between the trees and the ocean views, it is definitely a must do!

we took this drive towards Anacortes and oak habour, it's a nice drive with various view points and small little villages, a nice way to go south not taking I5 if you have the time

When going south from Seattle, get off I5 and take the scenic Chuckanut Drive. Enjoy the scenery and take it easy on the curves. This time is most beautiful as the trees are in autumn boom.

My friend and I picked a wonderful sunny weekend to enjoy Chuckanut Drive and along the way stopped at the Oyster Bar for a gourmet dinner with the freshest selection of oysters. The view from the restaurant overlooking the water is incredible and oysters were absolutely delicious.

The first part of the trip was through farm land but then we started into forest and hills with curves. Very beautiful and peaceful; not too much traffic to distract.

This is a favorite hike area of ours. We love the outdoors and being out on Chuckanut. It is clean and there's some good trails all throughout!

The Road to Hana has nothing on this drive! Well, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but this road is twisty and windy - but GORGEOUS, and actually, the vistas are far more beautiful and breathtaking than those on the Road to Hana. I am embarrassed to say that we didn't know anything about this drive, so we are forever in debt to Matt at the Avis car rental desk at the Bellingham airport - he asked about our plans and assumed we were driving to Whidbey Island via the Chuckanut and we were like, what? He routed us, and so grateful he did!! Truly a stunning beautiful drive!! Enjoyed every minute, and with Deception Pass waiting for us at the end, bliss!

beautiful views on this drive with forests on one side and cliffs and the water on the other. Narrow, windy road at times, not many pull offs. Larrabee state park is worth the stop.

If you want to go south fast, there's always I-5, but if you have time there is no lovelier drive than Chuckanut Drive.

This drive was unbelievable. Beautiful and very scenic. The little town of Gibson was very cool. Coffee shops, light shopping and a couple of restaurants.
Take the drive over to Samish Island, very pretty area of the country. From Fairhaven to Gibson is approximately a 30 minute drive. Stop off at some of the Oyster Restaurants. Next time we'll budget an entire day to do the drive so we can hike and do breakfast and lunch. Do breakfast at the Edison Café. We even did desserts. The cinnamon role was fantastic along with the raspberry pie.

I tried finding this route on my way into town but my map wasn't clear so I took it on the way out. The views are spectacular and the forest quite amazing. There is quite a bit of traffic on this narrow windy road so take care while driving...dont get distracted trying to see the view through the trees.....just like most things in Washington, many of the truly great views are blocked from the common people since they are private property....this is where Oregon kicks Washington's butt every time. I would also suggest avoiding it at night unless you know your way.

It's worth the short detour off I5 coming to or from Bellingham

My husband and I are fortunate to be able to drive this scenic road almost every weekend. There are stops along the way for picture taking or sunset viewing as well as many trails and even an oyster farm for purchasing fresh oysters and crab. Terrific restaurant, the Oyster Bar is open for lunch and dinner. The road ends in Skagit County where you can enjoy the Larrabee State Park on your way to Mt. Vernon, Edison, LaConner, Anacortes and Deception Pass.
You need to travel on this road once in your lifetime! Please be courteous and pull over to let faster cars go by.

When travelling south of Bellingham, you must use Chuckanut Drive (weather permitting). The views are amazing. For half of the drive, you are taken high onto the side of a hill with great photo opportunites of all the islands and coast of northern Washington. There are pullouts on the road for photos. For the other half of the trip, you are driving on flat farmland with unique signs, statues, and other things. I prefer this route. It may take 5 minutes more than going on the I-5, but it's gorgeous and if there is congestion on the I-5, then you can save yourself the aggravation by using Chuckanut for a relaxing drive.

This is a lovely 30 mile detour off of I-5 if you're going seattle - vancouver, or vice versa. The views are incredible, and this is a loop so it will put you back on I-5 further up/down the road.

Okay this is no Hwy 101 Oregon/CA beach drive but for up here it offers some lovely spots of bay views and more with various park pull offs where you can do some lovely walks. There are a few wonderful restaurants on this drive that are highly sought after eateries and I recommend you plan to eat at one on your drive. It is only a 2 lane road so don't expect to go very fast (I usually get behind a "very" slow driver) so just give yourself time to enjoy, slow down and relax. This is not the road to be in a rush on!

amazing scenery along this winding road, beware off lots of cyclists using this road, but a great scenic drive, stop and hike the oyster dome for a great view of the surrounding area

Drive was nice but only two areas for viewing outside car. Foliage has almost closed off water views. Foliage was green and lush.

Not for the squeamish driver or passenger. The road is narrow with no shoulders (10' lanes bordered by rock right up to the edge of the lane). Beautiful views, if this doesn't distract you.

We've done this drive twice: in spring and in summer. It's advertised as a "scenic drive", but I could absolutelly honestly say that there is nothing really spectacular about it. They should have planned it nicer and made at least some view points along the drive so people can stop and take some photos. And there is so much vegetation, like shrubs and trees, that you cannot actually see much of what's supposed to be a scenic view.

After visiting friends in Canada, they told us to take Chuckanut Drive on our way back down I-5. It was a change of scenery and very very pretty. Not to many photo options and there are not a lot of places to stop and take pictures, but when we could stop the views were amazing.

Remind the driver to keep their eyes on the road and only enjoy the view at the pull out view parking. This is a winding road, high above the water. The picture gives you a perfect example of what you will see.

Take your time and meander thru mature forest groves and scenic vistas. Lots of opportunity for lunch, gallery hopping and Larabee State Park ( the beach at low tide). Washington State has a minimum day charge of $10 for a visit to Larabee and the fee is collected in the parking lot.Cash or checks only, low tech unfortunately. The south part of the drive is a flat ,open farmland route ending just north of Burlington Wa.. There are some interesting roadside veggie stands, barbers and antique stops on this portion. Like I said stretch this out for a hundred miles and triple the bliss!

We were in awe driving along Chuckanut. We stopped at almost every lookout point to enjoy the views of the forest and the water.

Chuckanut drive is a scenic drive, lined with some gems such as Taylor Shellfish, towns of Bow and Edison, ending in lovely agricultural farmlands.

There are a few turnouts with short hikes to overlook the ocean. Well worth getting out of your car.

NEVER tire of this drive and we do it a few times a year with dinner at Chuck-a-Nut Manor - the BEST OYSTER DINNER I've had in years... BEAUTIFUL - even in the rain....lol..

This is an absolutley beautiful drive. It goes thru lush green forest with incredible water views to the west. There are several pull-outs for great photos. It's a very peaceful drive but the road is very winding so do drive carefully.

Great Views here. Scenery is amazing. Paragliders taking off from the top was interesting to watch. Would definitely recommend a visit.

Not being able to see the water during the whole drive didn't bother us, actually it made it easier to avoid traffic accidents on the narrow curvey road. We stopped at a few places along the way to enjoy the view and take pictures. Went on a few hikes we found, we didn't need a map we just parked where everyone else did and found the unmarked trails. Nice morning drive, lunch out, pretty views, and finished up with shopping in FairHaven. Wonderful weekend trip all-in-all.

Just north of Seattle, Route 11 is known as Chuckanut Drive. This scenic highway is short but breathtakingly beautiful. Mountains, Lakes and beautiful Firs. Must stop and take in the beauty of this treasure.

Scenic view of Bellingham bay for passengers. Keep your eyes on the twisty road for driver.

Decided to take the drive after eating in Bellingham, on the way home from Vancouver. Beautiful drive even on a cloudy day.

Saw a couple restaurants on the drive that I would like to go back and try.

Staying in LaConner, we had done the galleries and museums. Time for some outdoor fun! The road cuts on Chuckanut Drive are famous for their plant fossils. We stopped and hunted (carefully, as the road is windy and there is not much shoulder) for fossils. Found a few, and then went on to hike Fragrance Lake - about 5 miles round trip, 1100 feet elevation gain. Gigantic ferns made it feel like we were in a prehistoric setting. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday so there were lots of college kids and families out. Some had stopped on the road to hike down to the water but we just enjoyed the views.

Not for the faint of heart or large vehicles. Well worth the drive in both directions! Get someone to drive you so you can see the views and then switch drivers. Narrow and windy road can be dangerous so take care. Only ten miles long so take your time. Bikes and motorcycles on the road. Do not be in a hurry.

Winding road overlooking the coast. Be sure to take your camera with you. There are places to eat and galleries along the way.

This is a very scenic drive, one of the best in the state. It is also a bit of a cliffhanger so drivers don't have the best view. There are a few nice lunch spots. Some great hikes, parks and camping.

This was a beautiful detour on our way to Seattle. Views of the Pugent Sound. And real oyster bar on the way for fresh shucked oysters and beer. They also sell fresh to go seafood

In my opinion, Chuckanut Drive is the best drive in all of Washington. If you are driving up to Bellingham, do yourself a favor and get off the I-5 interstate and enjoy this drive. Great scenery, many turnoffs, big trees, spectacular views. Stop at the Rhody Cafe or Chuckanut Manor for a bite to eat, watch for bikers and people walking to trailheads. Take your time, no need to hurry and enjoy.

A very beautiful drive! Great views absolutely loved it. The tide was out so we could see the oyster and Manila clam beds. Lots of signs giving information on the drive and the seafood harvesting! Well worth the time!

Sunny afternoon...would have been better in the morning. Nice picnic area. Easy drive, as not many visitors even though it was a Sunday. Well worth this very scenic drive.

You can't miss this road and the state park that is on it. When traveling north to Bellingham, never fail to take this scenic route.

Enjoy drive down the highway the way used to be —interesting curves, pretty views, places to stop. Make sure you stop and see the signs about the Oyster farming industry and you can see the oysters growing in their straight lines. Only 20 added to your trip off the main highway.

From the standpoint of wanting to enjoy fall foliage, this might have been a good drive had the timing been better. We were too early for the color. We had thought that we would have better views of the water and were disappointed with that aspect of this drive. It was a nice drive but not as nice as we had expected.

Chuckanut is a beautiful drive between Bellingham and Bow, WA. There are several pullouts worth stopping and enjoying the views of the San Juan Islands and Samish Bay. Larrabee State Park at the north part of the drive has a wonderful park/playground and easy beach access, as well as hiking trails. There is an oyster bar towards the south end. One of the pullouts, Dogfish Point, is apparently a nude beach, but can't be seen from the pullout - so those with little kids need not worry. It's worth the stop, as are the other pullouts. The road is narrow, curvy, and hugs cliffs on one side and a guardrail on the other, so not appropriate for larger vehicles. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful views!!

Unfortunately, the day we took this drive, it was raining and cloudy. Really can't say the scenery was amazing, because of the difficulty seeing it. Only take this in nice weather, otherwise you will be disappointed.

This route is a scenic alternative to I-5 whether navigating from Bow/Edison or from Bellingham to Bow. This twisty highway closely edges its way between Puget Sound and steep cliffs of interest to geologists. The drive provides splendid views of the water and nearby islands for the rider although the driver needs to pay careful attention. Along the way, Laramie State Park is well worth a stop, especially when a low tide makes its amazing tidepools accessible.

This is a short drive with spectacular scenic views! Bow is a small little hamlet that is worthy of a stop. Funky little place. Chuckanut Drive ends at Fairhaven. A lovely old district town with great places to eat, stay and shop.

Chuckanut Drive is a few miles off the I-5 just south of Bellingham, Washington. The scenery is spectacular. It is well worth the extra time to enjoy the ocean views. If you have time there are several hiking trails, some as short as 1 mile, to get out and enjoy the forest. Pick up a picnic lunch before heading out and stop off a one of the State Park sites, or enjoy a more luxurious meal at one of the two very good restaurants towards the south end of the drive.

I can not express how beautiful this trip was. We pulled over off the road several times to take pictures and visit the state park. We took our time and made a two day trip out of it. If I do this drive again I will definitely take even longer and stop at many other points of interest.

This is a very nice drive in the woods along the shore. The road is narrow and not designed for high speed travel. We had no problem taking our RV over the road but the clearance was tight. We took a break at the Samish Bay overlook. There were some very nice story boards at the overlook documenting the oyster farming in the Bay. The view of the Bay is beautiful from this lookout. We found this drive to be very enjoyable.

I never tire of this drive with breathtaking views out of the water to the San Juan Islands. This was once considered part the Pacific Highway drive from SanDiego or so it said on the information board. Opposing directions offer different viewpoints of course and well worth the extra time instead of taking route 5 to Bellingham from Burlington. Be sure to stop at Taylors Shellfish to see the oyster beds if not to enjoy a few different types of oysters.

Chuckanut drive is the historic scenic road along beautiful Bellingham bay. Definitely worthwhile but you need to stop at pullouts such as Dogfish to take in the views. Or own one of the gorgeous bayside mansions of course …

turned off I-5 at Burlington and followed Chukanut Drive to Fairhaven.There are multiple turnoffs along the way and the highway hugs the shoreline

Fall colors were not quite out when we did this drive last week and it was a rainy day. We noted a number of interesting hiking trails we could do as we drove this route and would do it again taking the time to do a little hike. We stopped for lunch at Chuckanut Manor and I can't say enough good things about the meal, the service and the view. Lovely!!

I LOVE Chuckanut Drive. When it's nice out, my husband and I like to go out and enjoy this drive. There are some cool stops along the way. Stop at The Rhododendron Cafe for really good farm to table food and Larabee Park for a hike. I guarantee you this will make for a good day.

Took my sister, who is from South Carolina. The day was perfect, the drive was breathtaking. Make sure to take advantage of the scenic pull outs. We stopped for lunch at the Oyster Bay. Took a walk in Bellingham. We started in Port Townsend and returned the same day.
A great day trip.

Great experience. Worth a round trip drive up and down the windy road if you are up there seeing other scenery such as Deception Pass, Anacortes, at the casinos, or La Conner (the tulip fields). Drive up (north) and take in everything...on the way back down (south) you can more easily turn off and park to see Samish and Bellingham Bays, the trees, cliffs, Islands and etc. On the north end, there are lots of deer too. Or stop to have a snack and contemplate world peace or whatever. Great place to take sunset photos too. Just camp at Larrabee State park with your Washington State Park's pass (beach access and some trails) and you won't have to worry about getting out after the sunset as it is a very dark road at night.

Very narrow winding two land road with steep drop off on the west side. Lots of pull-offs and places to stop. Well worth the visit

This is a great drive along the water. Very pretty with places to stop along the way. Good for cars, motorcycles and bicycles who are used to riding with cars close by.

Curving around the mountains with beautiful trees and cliffs on one side and beautiful Bellingham Bay on the other one doesn't know where to look first...unless you are the driver. At the end of the drive you get to see Skagit Valley farmlands.

This is a great day-trip for those in the Bellingham or Burlington area. Highly recommend taking the time to drive slow and enjoy the sights of Deception Pass, stop in at the pull-asides for some breathe-taking views, and just meander the day.

This is a lovey drive, but we were hoping for some stunning views of the bay and the mountains beyond, which are snow-covered right now. There are a very few places you can stop and peek through the trees to get some views, but mostly this is a tree-lined drive. It is definitely beautiful, but just know it isn't a big expanse of anything to see!

Take a leisurely drive on Chuckanut Drive for the views. This is a windie road above the bay. Taking the road from I-5 Burlington, will take you from the flats and up the hill. You will end up in Fairhaven, the south side of Bellingham. There are several pull out places to take pictures and good restaurants along the way. Best place to have a great view of the sunset. Worth the drive. Best time to go: spring, summer, early fall

Drove in early afternoon...loved the excursion. The views, cliffs, and watching the sail boarders was all amazing.
Definitely recommend.
Must stop at Taylor Shellfish for their fresh fish. Awesome!

Literally passed through, heading south, on the recommendation of friend. Well worth it, was so pretty!!

Don't go to this area and not complete this drive. It is amazing. Wow, Wow, Wow is a good way to describe this beautiful place.

If you're not in a hurry, Chuckanut Drive (Route 11) is a great way to go. If you're in hurry to go either north or south, I-5 is definitely the faster way to go. Chuckanut is beautiful with lots of trees, water views, and nice homes. There are also a number of beaches, boat launch sites, and Larrabee State Park along the road.

The road is only one lane each way, so there can be slowdowns. A lot of bikers use the road. Also, be prepared for the winding nature of the road... lots of twists and turns!

This is a wonderful ride along Puget Sound overlooking Chuckanut Bay. It connects Bellingham to Skagit and all agree it's one of the most scenic drives anywhere! For motorcycles and sports cars it's the best. One can navigate it any kind of vehicle but the road gets pretty narrow in spots and those who travel it less frequently tend to freak out and go really slowly. There are 2 restaurants along the Drive that are unsurpassed; Chuckanut Manor and The Oyster Bar. Make sure you plan some time to stop along the way and enjoy a fabulous meal, (or an amazing buffet on Friday nights at the Manor), that you'll never forget!

We never tire of this route between Bellingham and Highway 20. After crossing the Peace Arch border, we travel the I-5 to the last Bellingham exit--Chuckanut Drive--, gas up, and make our way down to the southern edge of the Bellingham's Fairhaven District, turn left, and settle in for enjoyment. From start to finish, Chuckanut Drive is a route that we never tire of. WARNING: Not for people in a rush! Not very far into the drive, you'll see a rose garden on your left. Go in there and wander around, smelling them all. Back in your car, not much farther along you'll need to pull right into the parking area in front of Chuckanut Bay Gallery & Sculpture Garden, which consists of conjoined shops selling indoor and garden delights. We never leave one or the other without buying something for ourselves, our home or our garden. The staff are accommodating, very patient, and delightful. Prepare to spend 45-60 minutes in this complex: you won't want to miss anything in the two shops, and be sure to wander the pathway through the garden, which displays fascinating outdoor creations conjured by people with enviable imaginations. Farther along is very popular Larabee State Park, with its shoreline and many trails. This park alone could be a daytrip destination or for camping. As you proceed along the Drive, resist the urge to race through the admittedly challenging curves; instead, take time to enjoy what each curve brings, to notice the seascapes on your right, pulling off onto each paved viewpoint to take it all in. Consider turning right onto offshoots such as Yacht Club Road and it's companions to see how they meander to lovely houses and waterfront views of Chuckanut Bay and its offshore islands--our favourite view of all. Along the way you'll see the Oyster Bar, a daytripper destination for decades and, judging by reviews, very worth your while. Then there's Taylor Shellfish Farm, which may be open for tours--Google that. As the Drive flattens out, Chuckanut Manor Seafood & Grill offers lunch. We've never been able to get our itineraries to cooperate with lunch time there, but CMS&G is always on our minds for the future. Wending your way through the start of the Skagit Valley, continue to take your time, noticing the views to right and left, including Colony Road--a short distraction that might reward you with something delightful, and including old farmhouses, foothills, wetlands and islands. If you didn't eat lunch already, consider the Rhody Cafe, taking care to research which days of the week lunch is being offered when you're travelling; the menu is enticing. Next door is a bakery and deli that merits attention: select some goodies to take along in a box for a destination arrival reward . At the corner, you can proceed straight ahead along Farm To Market Road, taking time to venture into the big red barn on your left. At FTM's intersection with Highway 20 you can turn east to the I-5 or west to La Conner, Whidbey Island, Anacortes. OR at Rhody's corner, turn sharp right and proceed along Bow-Edison Road, which winds past farmland and canals, and twists through the village of Edison--where there is a bakery producing artisanal breads that simply won't take "no" for an answer. If you're heading home or are self-catering on a vacation, some of these would be very advantageous in your meal planning. Onward to the little town of Bow, the road taking you through more interesting landscapes and alongside Padilla Bay, eventually ending at a stop light facing Hwy. 20. You can cross this highway to proceed to La Conner (a road you should travel even if you simply turn use the roundabout at the other end and come back) OR you can turn left to head east back to I-5 OR you can hang right toward Whidbey Island, Anacortes and the San Juan Island ferries. A rainy day is no excuse: Chuckanut Drive is the best route ever; just take extra care on the curves.

If you live in Washington State you must travel on this road. Do not bring a large vehicle as it is a narrow passage along the coast. Lots of places to pull over and take pictures or let motorcycles pass. I wish I had rode mine.

The scenery and views were wonderful. Great view of oyster beds. Great places to pull off and picnic.

Some pullouts to take in the scenery, some oyster bars, some tight corners set in beautiful seascape. Very nice and worth getting off the I5 to check it out

we took this lovely route on our pnw hidden gem food tour. wild turns! stunning views! stopped by chuckanut manor and taylor shelfish. great day trip!

I biked the Seattle to Vancouver event and cycled up the Chuckanut Dr on the way to Bellingham. The view was great during the few times I looked up from the pavement. I decided to drive the same route on my way back to see how it really looks. It's very scenic. Gorgeous view. It's also not a long detour from I5.

Taylor shellfish farm,Oyster Creek Inn and Chuckanut Manor are all on the way. There is also The Japanese Gardens that are a great place to visit and get some nice ideas of gardening

We were advised to try this drive and we are glad we did. Nice meandering (and a bit narrow at times) road along the water and in amongst lots of gorgeous trees. We stopped at several overlooks to enjoy the view. Not far off the path from Bellingham back to Seattle.

This drive has been popular for 100+ years. There is also access to hiking and turn outs for photos and contemplation. Bring your camera!

Chuckanut Drive, is one of my favorite drives, my Mustang loves it, the trees are awesome. They go right to the shore of the bay, the trails, rocks food, Taylor's Seafood for fresh oysters, crab etc... Is not to be missed. Larrabee State park has a beautiful cove beach, and cool grass hills/park for kids.

If you are traveling either south or north and Bellingham is on the way take some extra time for the longer route -- Chuckanut Drive. This drives twists and turns and hugs the coast and is well worth the extra time it takes.

Drove up to Bellingham from Seattle, if you stay off the highway it is a beautiful drive but this stretch of rt. 11 was the most scenic part of our drive. It has everything, great ocean views and lots of amazing trees. Highly recommend!

This highway is squeezed between mountains and the shoreline south of Bellingham. It is often featured in car commercials because of the scenery and tight curves. Heading south, it is easy to pull out for several viewpoints along the way. At the north end is Larrabee State Park and the tiny town of Edison is at the south end. This a great scenic drive if you are exploring the Bellingham area.

I go back to the Fragrance Lake hike over and over again. While hiking I get to stop at the viewpoint that looks over the island and then head up too the lake for an awesome destination before coming back. I love selling homes to people who choose these neighborhoods because they get this view and these trails and waterfront options right out their door step.

One of my favorite drives ever. There are a few pull off areas to admire the beautiful scenery. This place definitely is an embodiment of the Pacific Northwest.

We took in the incredible views here traveling south from Vancouver BC to Seattle & so glad we did. Two lane traffic on winding roads can be challenging, especially in peak season but there are many pull-offs to relax & drink in the beauty & pristine air. Check out the oyster & mussel beds on the south end too.

Took out-of-state friends and they got a real charge out of the name "chuck-a-nut". They had their picture taken in front of the chuckanut sign to prove there is such a drive.

We stayed in Bellingham and was told to make sure we drove Chuckanut drive.
So we started from one end and drove the whole distance, turned around in Bow WA and went back the other direction making some stops along the way at different parks and beaches.

I was alerted to the existence of this picturesque, scenic drive by locals who insisted I must experience it. I listened and was rewarded by the amazing vistas, towering forests and cliff faces that comprise State Route 11. It is touted as a "slow-paced alternative to Interstate-5". Any route allowing you to escape the break-neck speeds that characterize the I-5, is one to be savoured. The ocean viewpoints are stunning. Take the detour and recharge yourself - be certain to stop at the pull-offs...they are to be enjoyed.

This is a old and narrow highway. It is nice drive on a sunny day. It has many turn out so you can take in the views. Take a camera because you will want to take a few pictures of the islands.

An evening drive along Chuckanut Drive is a feast for the eyes as the sun sets behind the San Juan Islands. Especially good when the tide is high, but anytime is worth a trip. Stop at Larrabee State Park to get closer to the water.

This maybe results in a 20 min extra detour if you are just taking the interstate, but is absolutely well worth it, and stunning. Do suggest that you also take time at a few shoulder stops or the 2-3 oyster bars along the way to soak it in.

Pick a semi clear day and get ready for the views, there are many and varied . The drive is slow and worth every minute of it with some great places to stop and have a bite.

Great views. We went at sunset and took lots of pictures at various pull outs. If you are looking for something to do at sunset, I would recommend this drive.

Great drive in good weather- views were lovely on a blue sky day. Be sure to stop at Larrabee State Park and walk down to the beach on the trail. It's a narrow two lane road- pay attention to speed limits and be careful- there are a few scenic pullovers.

The drive is windy and mostly along the coast. Picturesque with lots of opportunities for photos. I highly recommend a convertible!

Nice views of the San Juan Islands. Larabee State Park has a nice beach within walking distance from the parking lot.

What a great drive to enjoy great views. The road is very twisty, & you have to watch for oncoming drivers in your lane. Amazing that they built this road so many years ago, what a challenging job that had to be.

This was one of the most beautiful drives we have been on! Start north in Bellingham and drive on down! We stopped in Larabee State Park and hiked some of the trails. Road closes sometimes after heavy rains for slides so check before driving, but it won't disappoint!! The views are gorgeous!!

Puget Sound to the west, a rock face to the east, it is a very beautiful road. Plan to take your time (35 MPH is plenty here) to enjoy the views and avoid those who slow down to take a look. There are 3 or 4 pullovers to stop (all on the west side of the road) and take in the awesome views. Larabee State Park is about 7 miles south of Bellingham. We stopped there and walked down to a small, rocky beach, enjoyed that. Foggy or very rainy? Skip it.

Its a nice short drive.
If you want to spend sometime with nature not far away from seattle, this is a nice place.
Try food at chuckanut manor on way.

If you can drive it in a top-down car or on a motorcycle do it . This is a beautiful drive. Well worth the time..

The drive crosses nice farm land north out of Mt. Vernon and eventually winds along the lower side of large steep hills that drop to Puget Sound just east of the San Juan Island. The views, when you can get away from the trees, are very beautiful. We much enjoyed stopping at Larabee State Park which is right on the Chuckanut Drive. There are two eating establishments on the Drive as well; at least one specializes in oysters most likely picked right on the beach below.

Incredible views of the bay, islands, and hills from a twisting cliffside drive. Tall pine trees add to the beauty. This is one of the most scenic drives in Washington.

i have lived here for almost 43 yrs, i love chuckanut drive. there as so many trails you can park at . beautiful hidden beaches that you do not have to pay to get into. take the full drive and you end up in Mt Vernon. there are so many great resturants on the way as well! you have and oyster farm you can go to and bu many different types! they also as well have place for you to BBQ your oysters! some of th best i have ever had! beautiful scenery turn outs all over the drive. pure beauty! you may get lucky as see some whales!!!

This drive is best in an open car. Lovely views, tight corners and much eye candy. Not to be taken fast.

If you're in the Bellingham area, this is a must-see location. Most start their exploration after visiting the gorgeous Fairhaven district. Be prepared to spend some time, as the road has a lot of twists in it, and people do live in the area. But the views from the viewpoint areas are outstanding, and there are many shops and eateries along the way. It's never too far from the I-5, so you can do the drive one-way, and return along the speedier route the other. On this visit, we stopped at a couple of the viewpoints, and at seaside oyster farm to pick up fresh seafood for dinner.

Scenic drive with several turnoffs with views of bays and islands. Stop at Larrabee State Park. Several hiking trails start from the roadside. Many areas are narrow and less ideal for truck or trailers.

This is a magnificent little scenic detour if you have time - it's sometimes called Washington's Big Sur and I can see why - the views are incredible with lots of nice little pull offs - seaside cliffs, giant rocks and trees, islands and mountains, tons of interesting info and oyster farms all along Samish Bay. It’s the only place where the Cascade Mountains meet the sea!

AllTrails even has this as a drive trail haha! It's a 24 mile curvy route so would also be fun on a motorcycle if you're so inclined. We were heading up from Seattle to Vancouver on Spring Break (March 2024). It was chilly but absolutely gorgeous and we didn't see any snow on the road - although we did see some patches off to the sides in places so be aware.

Before we hit the drive, we stopped at Snow Goose Produce to grab one of their legendary giant ice creams since they had just opened for the season and it was a great way to start the drive haha!

There are lots of cute, interesting little towns to explore from top to bottom - unfortunately we didn't have time to see much of them but will definitely be back again to explore more in the future!

If you enjoy a nice drive Chuckanut Drive is a must. Plenty of twists and turns for the auto, motorcycle or bike enthusiast. Sweeping water, island and mountain views at turnouts along the way. The hikes along Chuckanut ridge are also worth checking out.

Nice curvy drive through the woods, with a few pull-outs to enjoy a view of the water. It is a short drive but it did lead us to a little town of Edison, Wa. Slough Foods has great food, cheese,& wine. Nice back patio area. Also town has little galleries, cafés, and pubs. A great find.

This is a fantastic drive, it may take a bit longer, you will be glad you took the time. The scenery and homes are so beautiful, the drive is peaceful..there are pullouts for stopping along the way.

Wonderful road trip for any time of year as the seasons change the views with color and smells very peaceful drive

A stunningly gorgeous road that twists and turns around the ocean’s shoreline that is fun to drive or better yet ride a motorcycle on whilst enjoying the views and fine dining seafood restaurants along the way 10 out of 10.

Each pull out gave a new perspective for the beautiful views. Loved the train tracks following the water's edge.

This is one of the most amazing drives you can take on the west coast. The scenery is absolutely beautiful. An abundance of ocean, cliffs, and nature.

My friends chose this route on our way to Bellingham from Seattle. It did add about 10 minutes to our trip, but it was worth it for the incredible views. There are restaurants, inns, and pullouts along the way. Next time, I will take more time to explore and soak in the beautiful scenery.

Having heard about it from a friend five years ago I finally got out to see it. My ten year old daughter and I enjoyed it so much. We will return with the rest of the family. The views are excellent and if it had not been pouring rain we would have parked a few time in the 15 mile journey to walk in the trails leading to cliffs and coves.

Slow easy and beautiful, this is my favorite drive to take my time and take all in at all the pull-offs.

If you're making a north / south trip between Bellingham and Anacortes or some such route, consider making a detour to the west. Experience the beauty of the coastal mountains while enjoying views of the San Juan Islands and the mountainsides of the Chuckanut Range. It only takes an extra 30 minutes or so and the exit scenery on the north or south end is equally enjoyable. Fairhaven to the north is full of shops, restaurants and history while Edison, Bay View and other spots along the Skagit flats are sublime with many moods depending on the season, always enjoyable. Great restaurants at either end!

Chuckanut Drive is a very scenic roadway along Chuckanut Bay. Several pull-outs along the narrow winding roadway for enjoying the view. Larrabee Park is on this route, as is Woodstock Farm. Don't miss those spots. Not suitable for RVs or trailers!

Nice drive. Excellent views. Saw a whale. Good for family and little children. Some hills but very doable.

White sandy beaches, low tides, beginner/mod rock climbing, shellfish, etc...clayton beach is the 'better' of the two...a 1/2 mile walk over train tracks gets you to the sign/beach. Quiet, low-traffic & high reward

I often will drive out of my way to drive a "scenic" drive and have made many such drives all over the US. When I saw a recent Facebook post about Chuckanut Drive (aka WA Route 11), I just had to go and drive it.

It did not disappoint. The scenery of Samish Bay was gorgeous. The road was in good shape and had plenty of curves to make it fun. Yet, it wasn't all that much longer than parallel I-5, which is often crowded in this particular 2 lane (in each direction) segment.

I plan on making another trip to stop and see more of the scenic overlooks and enjoy some of the places to stop along the way.

It was a scenic drive with several pull outs for photo ops. I just wish it's longer than 21 miles. We started in the Burlington area and ended up in Bellingham (Fairhaven). Fairhaven is a charming town with lots of restaurants and boutiques. The town also has the terminals for the Alaska ferry and Amtrak.

This road is a view-worthy drive. It's pretty any time of year. There are scenic pull-outs along the way and lots of hiking trails.

You cannot go wrong driving along the coast, South of Bellingham, along Chuckanut Drive. The road is narrow and twisty in places, and can be prone to rock slides or washouts, but the views are fantastic, and there are tons of places to pull off and enjoy the scenery. A nice stop along the way is Larabee State Park, which has a nice beach, walking trails, and access to some tide pools. A very worthwhile side trip!

This is a well know, beautiful stretch of WA 11 with several overlooks to enjoy the truly gorgeous views of the water and the San Juans. Be careful because they are often crowded with cars and people not being as careful as they should be. And there are 3 restaurants located along the most scenic portions of the drive. You can drive up and down and notice different things each time.

I had heard that this was a scenic drive and it was lovely. We drove north but I would suggest starting in Bellingham and driving south. There were a couple of turnouts to be able to view the Puget Sound and the San Juan islands. I suppose during certain times of the year, you might see whales.

On the way to Bellingham/Fairhaven this is a wonderfully scenic alternative to the 5. I drove it in a light rain & that's the way I'll always picture it & it just felt right with all the moss covered trees. Stop one time or stop 10 times, but stop & get out of the car.

This is a great drive any time of year, but it spectacular on a sunny day. There are lots of great places to stop along the way and plenty of opportunities to pull over and take in the scenery. Great restaurants from Bow on the south end of the drive and Fairhaven at the north end and a few gems along the way. If you want to hike there are plenty of places along the way.

We always like taking this road instead of the I5 to Burlington because its always so peaceful and beautiful. I highly recommend it if you are travelling during Autumn!

The Chuckanut Drive is a very scenic drive with a wealth of greenery, cliffs, views of the bay and the islands. Now that it is autumn, the drive is breathtaking with all the different colors of fall. Be careful of the winding roads and the fortunate people who live on this drive. Also, the day after we drove Chuckanut a rockslide happened and it was closed for the rest of our trip, so if you have the chance take it while you can you wont be dissapointed

Take it easy and pull over now and then to enjoy the fabulous views from this old, old route along the water to Bellingham, WA. Watch out for good people on bicycles and take it easy around hairpin turns. And there's some great seafood at the restaurants on the Drive + the Taylor shell fish farm!

Much shorter but every bit as pretty. Equally scenic going northbound as well as southbound. If going southbound, a detour to nearby Edison is a quaint 10 minute side trip

This is a spectacular drive from the farm landscape of the Skagit Valley to the Fairhaven section of Bellingham. There amazing views of Samish Bay and the drive is beautifully forested and shady.

We were on our way to LaConnor for the tulip festival and lunch and decided to take Chuckanut. We have all taken it in the past and really enjoyed the drive.
There were 6 of us and as usual the ladies took the majority of the conversation and decision making. We were just along to drive and pay.
The drive is twisty and turny but relaxing as the speed limit is 25 mph and it is not a long drive and plenty of places to pull over and let the local go.
While we enjoyed it and had the trees not decided to grow like kids when young and small quite enjoyable but as they grow and dominate the scene not so enjoyable.
As we were pressed for time did not stop at the park and as there was really only on scenic stop not obscured by trees we make good time. The scenery is spectacular from what we could see.

We have taken this road several times and are always pleased. Since it is narrow and with many curves, you will have to slow down. But for us that is part of the pleasure. There are a variety of turnouts so you can see the islands and boat traffic. There are State Parks and trails (which cost about $5.00 per day to visit).

You have many places to take pictures along the way. Obviously, it is best to have a sunny day. We did and loved it. If you are heading north on this road, you can go to Fairhaven and enjoy that very small town for a meal and shopping.

If you are looking for a leisurely drive, this is it. Fantastic views of the water from many stop off points and a state park along the way too. We drove from La Conner up to Larrabee State park and were lucky to come upon this byway. Gorgeous trees and a mellow drive.

Unless you take the time, it's difficult to describe. It's lovely year round, but in the Fall, the colors are glorious!

One of the best drives on the west coast. I wish it was a lot longer. This is only about a half hour drive. Try to do a summer sunset.

The Chuckanut drive winds along the woods and hugs the water to its west. This is an excellent alternative to driving along the interstate 5. There are also many cyclists but everyone is courteous. Enjoy!!

Bellingham did a great job with the detail of things to see and do of the drive map. Get it either there or in burlinghton We stopped at the oyster farm and it was really interesting to see how it is done. They have a store and some tables with bbq. Bring your carbon or wood and drinks.

Beautiful vistas in most parts of the drive...; narrow road in some areas so, better be careful. Tall trees along the way. We stopped by near Larrabee State Park and had the chance to see some of the islands in Samish Bay/ Bellingham Bay. Gorgeous views!

This is one of the most beautiful drives in the country and we have traveled a lot. It is definitely worth the additional time if traveling between Anacortes and Blaine.

We had some time to kill before leaving Bellingham; since we always love to look at the ocean, we took this trip. There's also a good oyster restaurant on the drive, so that was a draw. (We were too early.) You get a sense of what the coastal area here is like-

We were driving for Vancouver to Seattle and took this route which follows the Puget Sound coastline for a relaxing alternative to highway driving. I would agree with a previous poster that it wasn't as long as I'd expected (guess I should have studied the map more!) and that there are few places to pull over and enjoy the view. However, the route was very scenic and the few parking areas provided did offer stunning vistas across Puget Sound, as well enjoying as tantalizing glimpses of the sound as we drove along. The tree and fern covered mountain slopes down to the waters edge that the road meanders through were also beautiful, so I'd recommend it if you have a little time to spare.

beautiful vistas with some charming little restraunts along the way. Don't miss the pulloffs onthe south (west) side of the road with amazing water views. Larabee State park is also along this drive. Southern end will put you in Skagit county with La Conner and Anacortes within easy reach

Wish you could see the water more, wouldn't do this drive again. It was narrow which is what you would expect some of the little towns were great to see.

I always turn off and take Chuckanut on my way North to Bellingham from Seattle / PDX / Olympic Peninsula.

Took this lovely drive along the coast on our way to Seattle area and it is a great choice for a lovely meandering drive if you don't want to do the I-5. Trees, ocean, views - check - just wish there were a few more spots to pull off to take pics and really enjoy the view.

Best to drive this north to south as all the pull outs and scenic overlooks are on be Sound side and making a left hand turn on this road is dangerous! Very scenic and great restaurants in Bow and Edison when you’re done!

The lady at the desk of our hotel suggested this drive. Absolutely worth the time... it's breathtaking. Include the time for this in your planning, you won't be disappointed.

Took this drive up to Bellingham. Lovely alternative to busy I-5. Not much traffic. Have driven this many times in the past. Views are wonderful. Not many pull outs but the one that are there are just lovely.

I thought this was going to be comparable to other great coastal drives like the Great Ocean Road in Australia but it was nothing like it. After driving an hour or so out of Seattle we then started the 21 mile (!) drive along Chuckanut drive. Sure, there were a few photo opportunities of the coast and the San Juan Islands, but these were often obscured by trees or houses. I suppose the surprising highlight was when we stopped at Chuckanut Manor - looked ordinary from the road but from the balcony you could enjoy the view of the water, which was nice. We could have just come here for a meal and the view and then gone to the outlets nearby for some therapeutic shopping instead.

decided to drive thru this area and take the route off the freeway to enjoy the beauty of the trees, homes, and parks and whenever possible to stop to view the beautiful ocean and beaches

Great for the whole family. Stop at the various beach areas and have lunch. Try not to go on a rainy day but Washington being Washington dont miss it rain or shine. I like driving down back to Seattle easier to turn

Chuckanut Drive opened in 1916 as a highway between Bellingham and Burlington. It was very picturesque then and is still that way here in 2019! In the 1970's I would ride my bicycle from Fairhaven in Bellingham down to Larrabee State Park where I could walk to the beach or camp overnight or just continue on down Chuckanut Drive past restaurants along the way and arrive at the Rhodendron Cafe or continue riding out to Edison. Chuckanut Dr. was US 99 in 1926, became State Route (SR) in 1964. The trip is around 22 miles in length winding down the cliffs of the Chuckanut Mountains to Padilla Bay in Skagit County.

Whether you are driving or cycling down Chuckanut Dr. evenings around sunset are spectacular probably as beautiful as anywhere where in the world when the sky meets the water and your view of the fascia colored sunsets with scattered blues and oranges mixed as the sun dips below the San Juan Islands in the background. My favorite time to drive this narrow winding road that twists and turns is in the Autumn when the evenings are cool and the sky is clear. Be mindful that the road is narrow, with many turns and a few pull outs where you can take in the view of the Bellingham Channel (with Saddle Back Island directly in view) and the ever so adventurous San Juan Islands calling you in the distance. Drivers beware of a hair pin turn that leads to the celebrated restaurant "The Oyster Bar". The Oyster Bar restaurant has fabulous views and delicious food not to miss but take alittle extra cash, it'll be worth it. Speaking of Oyster along the route are Oyster Dome where hiking trails amongst the mostly 2nd growth forest can be enjoyed or you might even take in Clayton Beach. Clayton Beach used to be a secret back in the 1960's for college students at then WWSC to walk from the road down to the beach and party, now its no secret but still a nice walk for a quiet afternoon to get to the seashore. Chuckanut Manor is another cozy restaurant located at the southern end of winding Chuckanut Drive, has great views of Padilla Bay good food at moderate prices. If you want to walk a bit go to the Taylor Fish Farm where shell fish are grown and harvested, get some fresh shell fish for dinner nothing better.

A word of caution for both motorists and cyclists the road is narrow and has many curves with no understanding of what's around the corner, be careful folks may have slowed down to take in the views not utilizing the pull outs thus a surprise for cyclists and vehicular drivers!

Enjoy the drive its relaxing and exhilarating for all the reasons above.

If you are in a hurry take the freeway , if you want a leisurely drive try this as a relaxing detour . I would recommend heading south as it is much easier to pull over for the few lookouts and restaurants . We happened to pop down around noon on a fabulous day . Unfortunately the sun was so bright and at a bad angle to take a decent picture , but we still enjoyed the view . For most of the drive you are surrounded by trees and the lookouts appear with no warning . There is one spectacular section where we had rocks to our left , a very narrow two lanes of traffic and then a steep drop off to our right .
I lost track of time but the final 10 or 15 minutes passes farm land on the way back to the interstate . There are a couple of state parks along the way and two restaurants that were open on a Monday .
Chuckanut Drive is a windy road with no opportunity to pass unless someone pulls over , but if you have the time it really is a gorgeous , relaxing alternative to I-5 .

We were returning back to Seatas after having spent time in the north Cascades and Tofino so we probably did not enjoy this scenic drive as much as most. It is an easy drive from Seattle or Vancouver with access from I-5. We went there on a Monday afternoon when there were very few people on the drive so parking at the various stops did not prove to be the problem I feared. The time taken on this short detour was well worth it.

I always take Chuckanut Drive when I have some extra time going to Bellingham. No matter the weather the drive is a true treasure not to be missed. Stop along the way.

It doesn't matter what time of year, this is always a very special drive with constantly changing views of the bay. Worth repeating with someone else at the wheel so you can get the full beauty of the vistas.

We decided to cycle Chuckanut drive and were not disappointed. Although the road is shared by cars, motorcycles and cyclists, everyone is respectful of everyone on the road. As cyclists, drivers usually drove by slowly and gave us a wide berth.

Along the way, you will see majestic views of the ocean, oyster farms and great restaurants.

I've driven the chuckanut many times on my Goldwing. It's scenic windy road is a treat for any motorcyclist. Several stops at viewpoints offer outstanding views of the ocean and San Juan Islands. Top it off with a short run to Edson and then back home. If you've got the time drive over to Annacortes. Great little town with a spectacular lookout park.

We took this drive from Bellingham all the way down and it was beautiful. You pass beaches and you can stop and hike down. It gets narrow at parts but if you are in the area, it's well worth it.

Took this drive at the advice of a friend and was not disappointed. Stopped to take in some trails at Lost Lake and had a great time. A little extra time on the road but well worth the diversion.

If you are headed north to Bellingham and/or points beyond, and it is a clear day, AND you have the time, take the exit off I-5 for Chuckanut Drive and see some of the beauty of the NW. There are plenty of turnouts which give you great views and on a clear day you can see forever! There are also a couple of nice places to eat along the way..one of them being the Oyster Bar.
It will be a disadvantage to be the driver as you must pay attention to the road.....just do it again on way south and let the former passenger be the driver! You either end or begin the drive in Fairhaven. Enjoy!

Wonderful drive. Farm valleys, to lush coastal forests. Be aware: some of the cool stops in Skagit closed some days, and trails to bat caves sneak up on you, just look for other cars in turnouts.

Nice drive but narrow roads. Great views of the water and really good trails for hiking. Great for bird watching

We started our trip in Fairhaven with a lovely lunch at Fat Pie Pizza. The drive south on Chuckanut was lovely. We took the rugged Cleater road, in Larrabee State Park, to the trailhead of Fragrance Lake. Nice, well-maintained trail. Next time we'll proceed further on the road, to the top where the lookout is and stop at one of the recommended restaurants.

Felt like a treat. Beautiful nature. We stop 2 x but for a very short time. I enjoyed driving south.

This drive is beautiful. Roads are a little curvy in spots so if your in a hurry not a way to go. The views are amazing. We are not hikers but looks like a few nice spots to hike as well.

My wife had never done the Chuckanut Drive route, so on our way out of Bellingham, this was a good choice. It is windey and slower than I-5, but this is compensated by the ocean views and
the relaxed pace.

Lovely 21 mile drive from I-5 to Bellingham on narrow two lane road with wonderful scenic vistas at various pullouts. Bring a camera! Great restaurants and State Park along the way to visit.

Have traveled this road numerlus times by car and motorcycle from both directions. Love it everytime. This was the first I did it when the sun was setting. Wow!!!! Stopped often to take photos.

On our way back to Seattle from Vancouver, my family and I decided to take Chuckanut Drive down the coast so that we could experience some of the coast. We are so glad that we did! It has beautiful views and there are many pull-off areas where you can stop to take pictures.

We were staying in Ferndale at a RV park and hear about this drive. It was a nice curving road with lots of pull out areas for viewing the ocean and boats. Stopped at the state park for a bit of hiking and great views. Further down the road found a restaurant with a great view and great food

Great views and an interesting drive. Check to be sure there isn't a bike rally/race, dodging rider a bit scary for both.

If your looking for a beautiful, but much slower, way south from Bellingham, I recommend Chuckanut Dr. Once you get out of town and beyond the houses you're treated to a beautiful view of the water and islands. There's a state park along the way if you care to stop and explore the beach a little and numerous pull outs along the way to enjoy the view. The old part of the road is pretty narrow and winding.

Finally got around to doing Chuckanut drive on my motorcycle. This road is highly touted but the drive is way to short (about 20 miles) with very limited viewpoints and pullouts.
Nice curves for a motorcycle but be warned it is a narrow two lane road. Be very careful of rubbernecking, that can be quite dangerous. So if your in the area (Bellingham) go ahead and do the drive but personally I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

This is such a beautiful drive. There is a waterfall right next to the road that you can stop and take pictures along with some beautiful homes. You don't want to forget the Camping Parks or just parks in general to stop by and take little walks along the water. You can find crabs, Sea Urchins and many more. Watch the gorgeous Bald eagles, etc. There are also some really cool places to stop and eat fresh seafood with a view. I would recommend this drive to anyone who appreciates our beautiful nature out here!

South of Fairhaven is road #11, Chuckanut Drive. It is a beautiful scenic drive that is well worth the detour from the fast pace I-5. We stopped frequently on it along the way to look at the view. Take exit 251 and come back at exit 231, if you are heading south.

Speed trap at the southern entrance to Chuckanut. Officer was hidden and tagged us for going 11 miles over -- knew our car was rented too! Yeah, we deserved what we got but it was all a little too staged to be anything other than a trap for out of state visitors.

We took the drive to get away from the freeway and how refreshing it was. Views of Samish Bay, hikes around Larabee State park, oysters at Oyster Creek Inn. Nice way to find Fairhaven and Bellingham.

I have no doubt that the views are spectacular, the challenge is finding a spot to pull over and see them. It was a major project to find view spots. Mostly private land with houses and trees blocking the views.

I've seen more spectacular views in one mile of Oregon coast line than 20 miles of Chuckanut. Though it does have a catching name.

Keep your expectations low and try not to get hit by another car pulling over and back out into traffic.

There were many cars parked at small pullouts so we didn't get to see what we missed. It's possible many cars belonged to hikers. Also many bikers on the road. We stopped by Taylor Shellfish Farm but weren't particularly impressed maybe because we have been to Long Beach. Chuckanut Manor was fully booked for the evening, so no luck there.

We did drive up Chuckanut Mountain on an unpaved road and got a few glimpses of the bay below on the way up. Clouds covered the mountain top, so we can't report the scenery at the top except for the hordes of mosquitoes. While the trails here are for the conditioned hiker, we managed to find Larrabee State Park beach a good place for relaxation.

This is not a drive to take if you are wanting to get from point a to b as fast as you can. Nor is it a drive to take pretending you are the only car on the road in a commercial. Take your time. Enjoy the scenery and expect to be slowed by other drivers who are taking their time to appreciate the natural beauty.

This road is amazing. Yes, curvy, winding and narrow in sections but some really amazing ocean views. If you're a road cyclist and you don't mind cars close to you this is a great ride and workout!

Chuckanut drive provided some stunning views. However, after a while on the narrow winding road, it does feel like it's a bit long drive.

When I moved here in 2011 from FL I was told that this was a great and scenic drive to cruise on a motorcycle. I've been hooked ever since.

Going south on Chuckanut is the only way to enjoy it, as the Sound is west of the road and it is not easily possible to turn into the waysides if you are driving north. There are cyclists so beware.

Beautiful drive. Wish there were more turnouts so we could’ve stopped and enjoyed the views more. We went in the morning when it was a little foggy. Best time is probably in the evening on a clear day

It is a short drive but is full of great view along the way, much more pleasant route to go up north if you are not in a hurry. It is a mountain road so you do need to pay attention, drive slow and safe.

The views, cliffs, and watching the sunset was amazing. There were a lot of scenic pullouts but even just driving it was beautiful with new views around every corner. We were a bit to early for the fall leaves so plan to come back as have heard it is even more beautiful then. There also were some interesting looking restaurants that we would like to try. Fun to see Chuckanut manor and looking romantic as it has been 30 years since I had been there.

Stop along the way for oysters and a wonderful art shop and garden. It is a great drive to miss the traffic on I5. It is much easier to find at the south entrance than in the past. Don't stop at the first restaurant wait for the next 3.

The views over Chuckanut bay are ever varying with the light as the sun passes from behind you to in front of you. The landscape is varied and wide, the weather is variable aa it fits with the latitude. Sunsets can be unbeatably beautiful especially if there are some minor clouds on the horizon. What a privilege to live here on Chuckanut drive!

Beautiful scenic drive along Samish Bay with several "pull over" spots (along with some, mainly oyster, restaurants). Though the water view is sometimes obscured by the very tall trees (and stunning homes) it is totally worth it. A nature photographer's dream. We have driven this road many times going from one place to another instead of taking the highway, as a start/end of the sightseeing day.
NOTE: The road is narrow, full of curves and requires slow driving (25mph or less on most stretches). Of course this slowing down allows for better enjoyment. :-)

Hugging the cliffs over Chuckanut and Samish Bay, this drive is sometimes called Washington’s Big Sur. It is one of those drives that if you are in the neighborhood, you have to take it! The road was conceived in 1891 and construction began in 1896. After 1931, this route became mostly a scenic drive.

The views of the various bays and San Juan Islands along with various stops with interpretive signs are awesome and relaxing; pack a lunch and some chairs. Be careful when driving as the road narrows at points and the distraction of the views can or could cause you some trouble.

There are various restaurants along the way.

It's a nice way to get around avoiding the Hi 5 and seeing some nature. There were a couple of places where the road was very narrow. When I stopped at Teddy's Cove, I noticed that there was car glass shattered and laying on the ground, so I didn't go down to the cove. I heard there have been some break-ins and that just confirmed it. They're are some pull-outs along the way

This is a beautiful drive along the coast, higher up. We stopped at multiple view spots to just take in the beauty of the San Juan Islands. We started coming out of Fairhaven and heading South, it's easier to pull off to the right. Then you can catch the 5 interstate and head back North if need be. Take a picnic lunch with you and eat at one of the stops.

Whenever I travel to the states I always make a point of doing the Chuckanut Drive.
Just so beautiful, Relaxing. One of my favourite stops is the Chuckanut Bay Gallery.
Best selection of art. My fav is the outdoor garden art. Never come home without buying something! Love it! Love it!
There are many beautiful trails and parks. What not to like about this lovely drive.
My most recent trip was on my return from Seattle. But I so love taking friends along the wonderful route.

We took this drive out of Bellingham because we had read so many good things about it. We were very disappointed. Other reviewers have talked about the trees obscuring most of the views. We found a couple of places to pull over but it really wasn't worth it. There are so many other options, I would really look elsewhere for scenic views.

My daughter and I traveled on Chuckanut Drive after visiting Western Washington University in Bellingham. We've heard wonderful things about the drive from friends. The trip didn't disappoint as we winded through the highway and saw the beautiful landscape along the way. If you're in a hurry, take the freeway. If you want to see the sights, take Chuckanut Drive.

There are photo opportunities, fresh seafood, a great park, and nooks to park. Multiple trail heads for hikers, access to several beaches, and views of the San Juan Islands.

The trees and bushes have grown so high along the road that the Samish and Bellingham bays simply can not be seen. Probably around 99% of the drive is like this. The restaurants we stopped at were very good, but otherwise it's just a drive down a narrow road through the forest. We were very disappointed at being unable to see the sights in the bays. There might be better visibility during the winter when the leaves are off most of the trees, but who wants to vacation in the Seattle area during the winter? Don't waste your time here.

Winding two lane road along the Chuckanut bluffs looking out to the San Juan islands. Fab hikes, short or steep. Oyster Dome is the premiere hike. Larrabee State Park is oldest state park in Wahington. This is a half hour ride not to be missed.

Not as much scenery as I expected but still a beautiful drive. We loved the scenic pull outs but wished there were more. Definitely a better way to go than the highway!

We have done this drive several times and it is lovely. The last time we went was to go to Taylor Shellfish farm to eat oysters! Gorgeous way to get to Bellingham.

Chuckanut Drive is a must-do if you are in the area with a vehicle. The drive is spectacular, especially at sunset!

The view, the hiking, the immersion into Chuckanut Bay right off the Drive itself, inspired me to write my bestselling novel, “Chuckanut Dream.”

Chuckanut is just a winding Mtn road. Parts of it are pretty and can see the water, some. Trees block water a lot of the time. Personally I found the drive far more enjoyable and pretty after exiting (just turns into this road) the mountainous portion and driving thru the flatter farmland of Farm to Market Road. The views were far better with the fields and mtns in the background.

We like cars and driving back roads. A work colleague of my son in law, who is into good driving roads, recommended Chuckanut Drive. What a beautifully scenic route. The views through the trees out into the inlets were stunning. A visually amazing area. Highly recommended

We have heard about this scenic drive for years. My wife and I decided to take this route south out of Bellingham instead of heading back to I-5. The narrow, winding road was a pleasure to drive and it provided views of the water and different islands. We stopped at a couple of pull out spots including one that had a historical marker telling about the road. Further south Taylor Shellfish Farms and another restaurant appear to offer scenic views of the water. The route eventually drops down to sea level and we enjoy the views of farms and pastures. We spent some exploring the shops in Edison and Bow. I would like to return and stop at more of the roadside stands selling fresh season fruits and vegetables. We will likely add this to our list of places to bring out of town guests.

We were based in the Seattle area and decided to take ride up to Bellingham. We've always wanted to drive Chuckanut Drive which is beautiful but short.

The Drive itself, there's a couple scenic lookouts which are beautiful. We didn't have time to try any of the hikes but we will be back. The only restaurant we saw on the Drive was on the southern end of the Drive.

We found a gentleman's blog which recommended we make our way to La Conner and Edison before heading to Chuckanut Drive. This was a great suggestion. We first stopped at a produce stand and bought some goodies to bring back home. The stand has everything from mustards to fresh produce to fresh fish and ice cream.

We then made our way to La Conner passing farms along the way. Got to see a lot of old charming homes before making our way to La Conner's waterfront where we walked around and had lunch at La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib.

From La Conner we drove through Edison, another farming town. Then on to Chuckanut Drive. We stopped at one lookout and then went down a street and ended up at a boat launch where others were walking along the shore.

The Drive took us up to a cute town called Bellingham. We really enjoyed the Drive. My boyfriend's 18 year old son was bored out of his mind.

The Chicks nut drive is beautiful! Under a canopy of trees hanging over road. Larabee state park was a nice view and walk down to the beach area.

A warm sunny day and beautiful vistas driving to and from Bellingham... We couldn't have asked for a better way to enjoy the scenery and get to know the area.

Take care when navigating ...look out for bikes and gawkers....but the western view at sunset through the trees, can’t be beat ! Many pullouts on the waterside and of course, the oldest state park in WA state along the way. Built in the early nineteen hundreds for bicycles and model-T cars it’s quite narrow, and no shoulders for bikes. At the north end is charming Fairhaven and at the south end is quaint Edison.

Be sure to go down to Taylor Shellfish for excellent oysters, eaten outside by the water. If you're not an oyster eater, they also have delish peel and eat shrimp.

This is rated the number two thing to do if you are in Bellingham. That is laughable. It’s a nice drive but don’t go out of your way to get there. It really isn’t worth your while. Stick to shopping. That’s what Bellingham is really all about but even that is expensive now. The malls were dead first week of June. Probably because prices are too high and out of reach for the average person.

One of my favourite Pacific Northwest drives. I regularly exit the I 5 & take the scenic road less travelled route. Along the way you have two great oyster houses, lovely parks and walking trails andcat the end is chuckanut manor or the beautiful Fairhaven District. Win win.

We frequently bring guests here for a peep out over Puget Sound, or else can be found ourselves hiking on the north-south trail parallel to the road. Highly recommend a drive-through if you are visiting the west coast of Washington State.

Such a fun drive! Started in Bellingham/ historic Fairhaven and made our way down. There are plenty of posts that list some stops. We just did Larabee state park (though if you don’t want to hike down to the water then there are some beautiful viewpoint along the route). Route ends in Burlington. I highly recommend ending it at the Sagit-squatch “museum” which is some guys garage who has a lot of Bigfoot paraphernalia and he was very nice. But the drive itself has some nice things and is way prettier than the interstate.

Except for a couple of poor drivers well over the yellow line on blind corners, this scenic, windy & peaceful drive from Burlington to Fairhaven is well worth the experience.

I'm sorry but I really don't know why this is so highly recommended. We have driven on so many American Scenic Drives that are miles better than this. The problem is the trees - there are too many for you to be able to see any scenery.

My sister drove us through this place, really incredible views! I highly recommend it for anyone visiting the area!

Chuckanut Drive early in the morning is ideal for those who love the rainforest mist and cool breeze. The thick trees and leaves result to dappled sunlight which make the drive beautiful.

If you want an unencumbered view of the ocean for long stretches of the drive, you'd be disappointed. Take the turnouts to enjoy the view. My husband and I stopped for at least an hour in a lookout where I enjoyed taking photos of birds and flowers.

This is not like highway 101 and it is not fair to compare Chuckanut Drive because it has its own charm and beauty. It's like driving in a rainforest with intermittent views of the ocean as a bonus.

My husband and I enjoyed this drive very much. We stopped at Larrabee State Park and walked down the paths and down to the beach. Very peaceful. We ended up having lunch in Edison at The Old Edison. Was kind of a dive bar and great. I had the Captains Plate and enjoyed it!

My only issue with the drive was that some of the pull offs were not clearly marked and we missed them.