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Roadpath Journeys: Washington
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The National
Northern Tier Route
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National Northern Tier Route Information
National Roadpath Description:
The Northern Tier route is the northernmost transcontinental roadpath entirely within the United States, which roadpath consists of a series of contiguous highways traverses the extreme northernmost highways within the country.
This contiguous roadpath traverses a distance of 4,381 miles, with the western terminus end at the
Cape Flattery Trailhead in Neah Bay, Washington and the eastern terminus end at the Town Clock in the Village Green of Bar Harbor, Maine.
National Roadpath Information:
Roadpath Type:
West-East transcontinental route
Roadpath Total Length:
4,381 miles, 7051 km
Roadpath Use:
automobiles, bicycles
Roadpath Year Built:
1926 and/or later
Roadpath Waymark:
current highway signs associated with each roadpath
Roadpath Terminus Point One:
Location West:
Cape Flattery Trailhead Parking Lot, Washington
Coordinates:
48.3849460, -124.7158605
Elevation:
349 feet
Roadpath Terminus Point Two:
Location East:
Bar Harbor, Maine Town Clock
Coordinates:
44.3879754, -68.2044240
Elevation:
63 feet
National Roadpath History:
This is a brand new National Scenic Byway, one which has its origin found within my personal desire to travel (as a recreational passage) across the top of the United States. In the fall of 2025, I left the west coast of Washington state headed eastbound on this roadpath with the desire to drive and document the route, recording the specific highways traveled, as well as locations for camping and/or overnighting. I was only able to drive to the state of Minnesota before the temperatures plummeted to near freeze at night, causing me to turn right and drive south to a warmer region (south Texas) for the winter.
Then, in the middle of February 2026, with the temperatures in south Texas soaring into the eighties, I departed my winter hiatus to begin my northbound Journey On™ through North America, traveling east by northeast through the
Interior Lowlands Region, then into the
Appalachian Mountains Region where I turned northeast into and through New England to the eastern terminus of this new National Scenic Byway, a familiar location to me, the village of Bar Harbor, Maine, whence I will begin the logistical eastbound drive of the North Tier Route.
National Roadpath Map:
(m0-maps-us-ntr-map) National Northern Tier Route Map
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The State
Northern Tier Route: Eastern Washington
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State Roadpath Information:
Roadpath Length in Washington:
541 miles (870 kilometers)
Roadpath Length in Eastern Washington:
418 miles (673 kilometers)
Roadpath Terminus Point West:
Location:
Fort Casey Ferry Terminal
SH 20, Keystone Ferry Landing
Coordinates:
48.1595004, -122.6727917
Elevation:
10 feet
Roadpath Terminus Point East:
Location:
Newport, Washington
US Hihgway 2, just east of North State Avenue
US 2 at Thompson Memorial Bridge over Pend Oreille River
Coordinates:
48.1842587, -117.0365989
Elevation:
feet
Roadpath Highest Elevation:
2,057 feet,
Roadpath Lowest Elevation:
feet,
Roadpath History:
This is a brand new National Scenic Byway, one which has its origin found within my personal desire to travel (as a recreational passage) across the top of the United States. In the fall of 2025, I left the west coast of Washington state headed eastbound on this roadpath with the desire to drive and document the route, recording the specific highways traveled, as well as locations for camping and/or overnighting. I was only able to drive to the state of Minnesota before the temperatures plummeted to near freeze at night, causing me to turn right and drive south to a warmer region (south Texas) for the winter.
Then, in the middle of February, with the temperatures in south Texas soaring into the eighties, I departed my winter hiatus to begin my northbound Journey On™ through North America, traveling east by northeast through the
Interior Lowlands, then into the
Appalachian Mountains Region where I turned northeast through into and through New England to the eastern terminus of this new National Scenic Byway, a familiar location to me, the village of Bar Harbor, Maine, whence I will begin the logistical eastbound drive of the North Tier Route.
Geographic Information:
Geographical Region:
Pacific Coast
State Roadpath Route:
From the Coupeville Ferry Terminal, drive onto
Whidbey Island, turn right onto SH 20 and drive east for 3.4 miles to the junction of SH 20 and SH 525. At this intersection, turn left and continue north on SH 20 for 25.5 miles, which will take you through the communities of Coupeville, San de Fuca, the city of Oak Harbor and continue north until you arrive at the
Deception Pass Bridge.
The bridge is located within
Deception Pass State Park which is a favorite park for many and has a variety of activities. When you cross this bridge, you will be leaving Whidbey Island and driving onto
Fidalago Island, which like Whidbey Island, also has a variety of activities. The drive on this island is in a northeasterly direction and will only traverse a little less than ten miles before arriving at the
Twin Bridges dual concrete beam bridges which crosses the Swinomish Channel.
After crossing the Swinomish Channel the Northern Tier Route continues eastbound on SH 20 across the top of the entire state of Washington, goes through the North Cascades National Park, and after about 370 miles, arrives in Newport, Washington. Here in this town, SH 20 connects with US highway 2, right near the state line with Idaho. Immediately, the NTR continues on US 2 across the Thompson Memorial Bridge over the Pend Oreille River.
State Roadpath Map:
(m0-maps-ntr-wa-east-map) Washington Northern Tier Route Map
Eastern Section of Washington NTR:
After crossing the Port Townsend to Coupeville Ferry, exit the ferry and take the first left turn. This is South Engle Road and you will soon enter Fort Casey Stacy State Park. When you see a couple of old Fort Barracks on the right, you will see a sign along side of the first barracks that reads, State Park Lighthouse.
Important: Automobile drivers will need a Discover Pass for entrance to any of the Washington State Parks. 2025 Fees: $10.00 for one day; $30.00 for one year.
Turn left into the state park and you will begin to climb a small hill. The lighthouse is at the end of this road.
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The 2022 Journey,
Northern Tier Route: Eastern Section
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(Day
428 TN) 51°F. 6:30 am, sunny
Summer Sojourn, Day 28
Overnighting in a parking lot
Travel: Westward from Idaho
After a week in Ponderay, Idaho, I awake, drive to the d-mart to purchase a carton of coconut milk and then drive south on US 2 to Sandpoint, Idaho, then east on US 2 along the north side of the Pend Oreille river across the rest of Idaho. I have chosen to drive to the Washington coast because it has become much to hot here for me to stay any longer. In fact, the last few nights have not cooled off below 80 degrees until after ten each evening.
As I drive along the river, I notice that this area of the
Northern Rockies holds true to the ecoregion description, that is of being a well watered region. I am so impressed of how green it actually is here, especially since this continent has been in a multi-decade prolonged drought. I continue along this river taking photos often, which shows just how widespread this green belt actually is.
Just before I cross into Washington, I cross to the south bank of the Pend Oreille and then enter Newport, Washington. Here, I stop at a ff-mart and purchase a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Then, I turn off of US 2 onto SH 20 and continue along the south bank of the Pend Oreille river within this same green belt flowing upwards along either side from the valley to the mountains.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2022-0719.1041) Crystal Falls, Little Pend Oreille river
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2022-0719.1259) Northern Rockies, Washington
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2022-0719.1300) Northern Rockies, Washington
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2022-0719.1319) Northern Rockies, Sherman Pass Washington
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The 2018 Journey,
Northern Tier Route
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(Day
936 TB) 64°F. 7:00 am, sun, clear blue
Overnighting in a parking lot
Travel: Eastward from Oak Harbor
Today, I will leave out of Oak Harbor and wend my way over 430 miles entirely on SR 20 to cross the Washington section of the Northern Tier highway
However, first, I drive to the w-mart for coffee and to begin my journal writing and then, after uploading several more files, I then pack out and drive to the d-mart for food supplies and then the af-mart for gasoline. Then I head east on SH 20, first north to
Deception Pass state park and stop at Coronet bay to take a shower. This facility is on Cornet Bay Road just past the Deception Pass Marina at the public boat launch and piers, all within the state park. The fee is fifty cents for four minutes but it seems to always last much longer.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2018-0618.1356) Deception Pass SP Public Shower House.
After my long soak in the hot water, I resume my eastward drive on SR 20, cross
Deception Pass bridge across the top of Pass Island and then onto Fidalgo Island, stopping at the turn out on the north side for a couple of photos. I know that I have taken many a photo from this viewpoint, but because this is such a beautiful spot, I just have to include it on this journey.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2018-0618.1410) Deception Pass Bridge from the Fidalgo Island
Continuing north on
Fidalago Island, I drive pass Lake Campbell and espy
Mount Erie, the top of which is one of the three must see view points in all of the north Puget Sound area.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-2008-0322.1645) View Southwest from Atop Mount Erie
The above photo was taken much earlier on one of my many trips to the top taken when ever friends or family would come to visit. This trip was to take my sister Elise and her husband John up to see the view.
In the distance are the
Olympic Mountains, which is part of the Olympic National Park on the Olympic peninsula across
Puget Sound.
Then, I continue east on SR 20, now on Fidalgo island, drive to Sharps Corner, through the two new round-about′s which are still under construction, turn right and soon leave the island and continue now in an easterly direction towards the mountains, which from this location always seem to be shrouded in a layer of smog that has risen up from the valley plain cities throughout the Washington coast.
Up into the Mountains
Continuing, I drive through Burlington, then Sedro Wolley and up the Skagit river valley to enter the Cascade National park where I stop at the visitors center for a couple sticker for my rear windows. Next, I drive a little further on SR 20 to Diablo Lake overlook for a few photos here and also talk with some of the park visitors about some of the other wonderful sites on state route 20. On a reader boards, I learn why the lake water is this strange green color.
(m6fi-ntr-wa-east-2018-0618.1720) Diablo Lake Overlook, elevation: 2200 feet
As glaciers slowly travel down the mountain, the grinding of rock against rock creates fine silt which is carried by melt water to the lakes below. This rock flour, suspended in the water reacts with the sun light to produce the lake water color you see.
After driving through several of the cities that line US 20, I eventually come into the national forest after Concrete, Washington and shortly after that, the entrance sign for
North Cascade national park. I continue into the park and find myself stopping often for photograph. In fact, throughout this drive I am constantly stopping for photos, so much so that it takes me so much longer than the normal hour to drive the sixty plus miles through these mountain.
Still, for many years now, I have always enjoy this drive through the snow capped heavily forested mountains.
From here, I drive to Colville, Washington, overnight and upon awaking the next morning, start the jammer and head east on SR 20. I drive through several towns and finally come to the end of the four hundred and thirty six-miles of this east-west route in Washington state, where I connect with US 2, cross the Pend Oreille river, enter Idaho and continue east on US 2 along the north back of the Pend Oreille river for another thirty miles to Sandpoint, Idaho.
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This Page Last Updated: 30 June 2026
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