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The Northern Tier Route Information
The crossing of the top of Washington involves mostly state highways but there is one traverse on an US highway in the eastern most section.
The Northern Tier Route in Washington is divided into two section, one east of Puget Sound on the Olympic Peninsula and a second section on the west side of Puget Sound. There is a Washington State Ferry ride that connects the two sections, which is a very picturesque boat ride.
Start the Northern Tier Route by driving to Neah Bay, Washington in the extreme northwest corner of the state.
Roadpath Description:
Roadpath Type:
east-west transcontinental route
Roadpath Total Length:
4000 miles, km
Roadpath Length in Washington:
541 miles
Roadpath Use:
bycycles, cars
Roadpath Waymark:
Signs associated with current highway
Roadpath Terminus Point (West):
Location:
Cape Flattery, Washington
Coordinates:
Elevation:
feet
Roadpath Terminus Point (East):
Location:
Washington-Idaho state line
Coordinates:
Elevation:
feet
Roadpath Highest Elevation:
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.
Geographical Region:
Pacific Coast
Geographical Region:
Basin and Range
Geographical Region:
Rocky Mountains
(m0-maps-ntr-map) Northern Tier Route: Washington Map
Discover Pass
When driving an automobile, the driver will need a Discover Pass for entrance to any of the Washington State Parks. However, the access pass is not needed for accessing the state park lands on bicycles, boats, horseback, or any other type of non-motorized travel.
Discover Pass Exemptions:
There are exemptions to needing the Discover Pass. If you have the following passes or permits, you will not need to also acquire a Discover Pass. The list is as follows:
(1) State Park pass is available free to disabled veterans, disabled people and qualified limited income senior citizens.
(2) Disability Placards or Disability License Plates holders do not need a Discover Pass.
(3) Camping Reservations or Camping Fee Receipt holders while camping at a state park are not required to have a Discover Pass.
The above are the most common exemptions but there are several other exemptions to needing a Discover Pass. Please check the Washington State Park web site for more information.
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