AAA projects nearly 34,000 Washingtonians will journey 50 miles or more away from home for the holiday weekend. With the summer road trip season coming to an end and increased road traffic, AAA Washington estimates they will provide road service to around 6,800 members in Washington and Northern Idaho. The Labor Day travel period is defined as Thursday, September 3 to Monday, September 7.

American’s will use Labor Day weekend as one final road trip before summer comes to a close and children head back to school. AAA Washington is highlighting five Northwest drives and destinations for memorable end of summer road trip. Whether you are planning a quick weekend trip or traveling to visit one of North America's favorite destination areas, AAA is your one-stop source for summer road trip planning.

“We typically see travelers in our area using the holiday weekend as a final road trip weekend, spanning parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia,” said Jennifer Cook, AAA spokesperson. “AAA has more than 30 free pre-planned Northwest auto tours on our website that everyone can access to help with their planning.

Northwest Drives and Destinations:

1. San Juan Islands (WA): A short ferry ride from Anacortes puts you in the midst of this scenic archipelago bathed by the clear cold waters of the Salish Sea. Lopez, San Juan and Orcas islands – each accessible by car ferry - have lodgings, restaurants, campgrounds, parks and scenic drives. Highlights include Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor and San Juan National Historical Park on San Juan Island and Moran State Park (waterfalls, freshwater lakes and a road to the top of Mt. Constitution) on Orcas. Saltwater kayaking is popular in the San Juan’s and there are outfitters on the three major islands. Wildlife watching cruises are available in Friday Harbor and Lopez Island’s gentler topography draws bicyclists.
2. Columbia Gorge (OR): The highlight of this drive is the Historic Columbia River Highway. Opened in 1915, this was the first modern paved highway constructed in the Pacific Northwest. The two-dozen mile western section between Troutdale and Dodson, Oregon ranks among the continent’s most scenic drives. Highlights include the Vista House atop Crown Point, Multnomah Falls, Oneonta Gorge, Bonneville Dam and Hood River.

3. Silver Valley (ID): Cupped between northern Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe mountains, the Coeur d’Alene Mining District, popularly known as Silver Valley, has been one of the country’s largest metal producing areas and the largest silver-producing district in the world. In Kellogg you can enjoy the 3.1-mile Silver Mountain Gondola, the world’s longest single-stage, people-moving gondola. Wallace survives on its historic legacy, boasting a National Historic District showcasing some of the finest examples of turn-of-the-20th-century architecture in the Inland Northwest.

4. Central Cascade Loop (WA): A drive over Stevens, Blewett and Snoqualmie passes offers a 300 mile loop connecting the Puget Sound area and central Washington. The Stevens Pass Highway passes Wallace Falls State Park and follows the Skykomish River skirting the dramatic spire of Mount Index. Near the old railroad town of Skykomish you can hike the Iron Goat Trail along 9 miles of the original right of way blazed by the Great Northern Railway in the 1890s.

5. Chinook Pass - The All American Road (WA): Highway 410 from the Puget Sound Lowlands across the Cascades to the Yakima area is a beautiful scenic drive. The 85-mile section connecting Enumclaw with Naches is designated an All-American Road, the highest tier of our federal National Scenic Byways. From the lush lowland pastures and farmland surrounding Enumclaw the byway follows the White River into the foothills of the Cascades.

“To ensure you have a safe and memorable end-of-simmer road trip, give your vehicle a quick maintenance tune up before you leave home,” continued Cook. “The last thing you want to see on your final summer road trip is your friendly AAA tow truck technician.”