Riding Washington
Washington motorcycle rides: North Cascades to the Palouse
Washington motorcycle rides pack glaciers, rainforest, river canyons and rolling wheat country into one state. This guide covers the best roads, which passes close for winter, Washington's helmet and lane splitting rules, the Oyster Run and other events, and how the free Rippin' app works here.
- Helmet law
- All riders
- Lane splitting
- Not allowed
- North Cascades Highway
- Closed in winter
- Rippin' price
- Free
Why ride it
Why Washington motorcycle rides are worth the wait for summer
The Cascades split Washington in two. West of them is Puget Sound: Seattle, Tacoma, Everett and Bellingham, ferries, islands and water roads like Chuckanut Drive. Farther west, the Olympic Peninsula wraps US 101 around rainforest, lakes and mountains.
The Cascades themselves are the main event. The North Cascades Highway, the passes around Mount Rainier and the Mount Baker Highway are some of the best mountain rides in the country, and the Cascade Loop strings SR 20 and US 2 together into a classic multi-day trip through Winthrop and Leavenworth.
East of the mountains, the weather changes completely. The Yakima Valley, the Okanogan and the Palouse are dry, sunny and empty, with river canyons and rolling wheat hills. When it's raining in Seattle, there's a good chance the east side is dry, and a pass ride gets you there by lunch.
The roads
The best motorcycle roads in Washington
Ten classics, from the islands to the Idaho line. The mountain roads have short seasons, so plan around the snow.
- North Cascades Highway (SR 20)Crosses the North Cascades from the Skagit Valley over Washington Pass to Winthrop, past the turquoise water of Diablo Lake. Watch for the winter closure, which usually runs from late fall into spring, and long stretches with no services.
- Chuckanut Drive (SR 11)Hugs the cliffs above Samish Bay between Burlington and Bellingham, with water views through the trees. Watch for a narrow road with little shoulder, tight curves, and cyclists.
- Mount Baker Highway (SR 542)Runs from Bellingham up to Artist Point, with Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan in view at the top. Watch for snow: the top section usually only opens in midsummer.
- Stevens Pass (US 2)Crosses the Cascades from the Everett side to Leavenworth through Tumwater Canyon. It's half of the Cascade Loop. Watch for heavy weekend traffic and crowds in Leavenworth.
- Chinook Pass and Cayuse Pass (SR 410 and SR 123)Run along the east side of Mount Rainier with huge views of the mountain. Watch for the winter closure on both passes and sightseers stopping at the viewpoints.
- White Pass (US 12)Crosses the Cascades south of Mount Rainier and drops past Rimrock Lake toward Yakima. Watch for snow at the summit outside summer and deer on the east side.
- Olympic Peninsula (US 101)Wraps around Olympic National Park past Lake Crescent, rainforest valleys and coast. Watch for rain any month, logging trucks and slow summer traffic.
- Yakima River Canyon Road (SR 821)Follows the Yakima River through a winding canyon between Ellensburg and Yakima. Watch for summer heat, anglers and rafters parked along the road, and wildlife.
- Palouse Scenic BywayRolls through the wheat hills of southeast Washington around Colfax, with a side trip to the top of Steptoe Butte. Watch for farm equipment, gravel side roads and wind.
- Cascade LoopNot one road but a loop: SR 20 over the North Cascades, down the Methow and Columbia valleys, and back over Stevens Pass on US 2. Watch the pass status and plan fuel through the Methow Valley.
When to ride
When to ride Washington
- West sideSeattle and the Sound get most of their rain from fall through spring. July through September is reliably drier. You can ride all year if you have the gear, but expect wet roads.
- High passesThe North Cascades Highway, Chinook and Cayuse passes and the top of Mount Baker Highway close for winter. Stevens, Snoqualmie and White passes stay open with snow and traction rules. WSDOT posts pass reports.
- East sideHot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are great in the Yakima Valley and the Palouse.
- Fall color and smokeLarches turn gold in the North Cascades in early fall, which makes a late SR 20 trip worth it if the road is still open. Late summer can also bring wildfire smoke, so check air quality.
The rules
Washington motorcycle laws: helmets and lane splitting
Helmets. Washington requires a helmet for all riders. See the IIHS helmet law overview for a comparison with other states.
Lane splitting and filtering. As of 2026, Washington law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the Revised Code of Washington or the Washington Department of Licensing before you ride.
Events
Washington motorcycle events
The big one is the Oyster Run in Anacortes, a free gathering in September that fills the town with bikes and riders from across the Northwest. The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, a worldwide charity ride usually held in May, rides in cities around the world too. Check the organizer for dates every year.
The rest of the calendar is bike nights, club rides, swap meets and charity runs around Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and the smaller towns, busiest in the dry months. In Rippin', open Meets to find them and RSVP. Repeating weekly and monthly meets show their next date, and any rider, shop or club can post an event. See motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
Washington on Rippin' right now.
0 upcoming events and 11 rider-added roads in Washington on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
No Washington events are on the Rippin' map yet. Know a bike night, rally or charity ride? Post it in the app under Meets, or have the organizer add it, and it shows up here and on the map for every rider nearby.
Roads riders added in Washington
Local knowledge
Riding tips for Washington
- Check WSDOT pass reportsSnow, closures and traction rules change fast in the mountains, even in late spring and early fall.
- Ride the ferriesWashington State Ferries carry motorcycles, and bikes are often loaded ahead of cars. A ferry turns Puget Sound into one big loop.
- Wet roads, slick paintPainted lines, metal grates and shaded corners stay slick on the west side. Fall leaves make it worse.
- Wildlife east of the crestDeer are common on the east-side highways, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Seattle traffic is heavyWith no filtering allowed, rush hour on I-5 and I-405 means sitting in it. Plan rides around it.
Rippin' in Washington
How the Rippin' motorcycle app works in Washington
Rippin' started in Southern California, so Washington is early: a small number of riders and roads so far, and turf around Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and Bellingham that is mostly unclaimed. Everything below is free on iPhone and Android.
Ride a loop that closes back on itself, like a ferry and island loop or the Cascade Loop, and the land inside becomes your turf on the live map. Ride a tighter loop through someone else's turf to carve out a piece. Read how Turf Wars works.
Shops, cafes, bars and dealerships can become poker stops that deal a card to every rider who arrives. See poker runs, and businesses can become a stop. Add a Washington road as a segment and a person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live; here's how roads get added. Use squads and group rides to keep the crew together over the passes.
Go deeper
The Pacific Northwest ride guide
Our Pacific Northwest motorcycle rides guide covers Washington and Oregon together, from the North Cascades Highway and Chuckanut Drive to the Columbia Gorge, with every rider-added road on a map. It updates as riders add more.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Washington?
The North Cascades Highway (SR 20) is the usual answer. Chuckanut Drive, Chinook Pass and the Mount Baker Highway are close behind.
When is motorcycle season in Washington?
July through September is the dry season on the west side and the only time some mountain roads are open. The east side rides well in spring and fall too.
Is lane splitting legal in Washington?
As of 2026, Washington law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. Several states are changing their laws, so check before you ride.
Do you have to wear a helmet in Washington?
Yes. Washington requires a helmet for all riders. See the IIHS helmet law overview and check current law.
When does the North Cascades Highway open?
SR 20 closes every winter and usually reopens in spring, depending on snow. Check WSDOT before you plan a trip.
Is there a free motorcycle app for Washington riders?
Rippin' is free on iPhone and Android. It records rides, turns loops into turf, runs poker runs at real stops and lists meets near you. Download it free.
Claim Washington while it's open.
Download Rippin' free, ride a loop on the next dry day, and put your name on the map.