The Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the United States has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. The PNW is known for its luscious, green forests, beautiful coastline, vibrant cities and vast mountain ranges. For spring break this semester I decided to take a seven-day solo road trip around Washington and Oregon. Not only was this my first time on the West Coast but also my first time doing solo travel.
Overall, my experience with solo travel was superb. I would highly recommend embarking on a solo trip at least once in your lifetime! Traveling alone provided me the opportunity to explore, build confidence, communicate with strangers, adventure while avoiding expectations from others and it gave me the ability to make executive decisions on what to do. I was able to experience (almost) everything I wanted to experience without making compromises and deviations.
The reaction I’m met with when I explain to people I went 2,500 miles away from home by myself is usually surprise. I can only assume it is for various reasons but I wanted to share how I went on a seven-day solo road trip as a female college student with a job.
A few common questions I received were:
- Why did you want to go alone?
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I thoroughly enjoy traveling and I think I have always wanted to try solo travel. Spring break gave me the opportunity for an open week as my schedules perfectly aligned.
- How did You afford it?
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Traveling does cost money. My big costs for this trip were that I booked a flight and rented a car; knowing I had to do so, I worked extra hours and saved up the money I needed.
There are copious avenues to cutting costs when traveling. I was able to do so by staying in hostels and hostel-style “hotels,” not eating out for every meal and having a friend that was willing to keep my vehicle at her home and drop me off and pick me up from the airport.
- Is solo travel safe?
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I spent many, many hours researching where I was going, what I was going to do, what areas I would be walking around and where I would be staying overnight. I read other people’s itineraries, took suggestions from people who live in the area and utilized Google reviews and Yelp for better insights.
I shared my phone location as well as a tentative itinerary with my family and close friends. I made sure my phone was always charged and had a backup plan.
In my opinion, solo travel is 100% feasible with preparedness. Your trip does not have to be micromanaged and planned down to the second but things like travel insurance and situational awareness are vital.
I included a non-comprehensive itinerary, just to give you an idea of what I did, where I went and things I saw. If you’re interested in checking out a full blog and itinerary of the PNW, Matt Hansen provides extensive information; I stumbled upon his work when researching for my trip and think he produces a great read!
MY PNW Itinerary: 03/03 – 03/10
Friday, March 3: Seattle
- Pike Place market
- Seattle Center: Space Needle, coffee, museums
Saturday, March 4: Olympic NP
- Breakfast in Seattle/pick up rental car
- Olympic National Park Visitor Center
- Port Angeles
Sunday, March 5: Olympic NP
- Lake Crescent — Marymere Falls hike
- Forks/La Push/Quileute Reservation (2nd beach trail)
- Sunset at Rialto Beach
Monday, March 6: Olympic NP/Oregon
- Ruby Beach
- Aberdeen, WA
- Kurt Cobain memorial
- South Bend, WA
- World’s largest oyster
- Astoria, OR
Tuesday, March 7: Lincoln City
Drive Astoria to Lincoln City
- Cannon Beach
- Tillamook
- Lincoln City
Wednesday, March 8: Portland
- Powell’s Books
- Case Study Coffee
- Hawthorne, Division, Eastside
Thursday, March 9: Mt. Rainier NP
- Visitor Center
- ½ Kautz Creek Trail
- Return rental car
Friday, March 10
- International district
- Gum wall at Pike Place