Mount Rainier National Park, Eastern Washington Travel Guide

Getting There

• Car

  If you're traveling by car from Eastern Washington, the most common route is to take I-90 West towards Seattle. From I-90, take exit 110 for I-405 South towards Renton. Merge onto I-5 South and continue until you reach the junction with SR-512. Take exit 127 for SR-512 E towards Puyallup. Follow SR-512 until it merges into SR-7 South. Continue on SR-7 South until you reach SR-706, which leads directly to the Nisqually Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. The drive takes approximately 2-3 hours depending on traffic and weather conditions. Be aware of potential tolls on I-5 and plan for gas stops along the way.

• Public Transportation

  For those relying on public transportation, start by taking a bus from your location in Eastern Washington to Seattle. Once in Seattle, you can transfer to the Sound Transit service. Take Link Light Rail to Angle Lake Station, where you can catch a Pierce Transit bus (Route 586) to Tacoma. From Tacoma, transfer to another Pierce Transit bus (Route 400) that heads towards Mount Rainier National Park. Please check the local bus schedules for exact times, as they may vary. The total journey may take 4-6 hours depending on connections and waiting times. Note that public transportation may have limited service during certain hours, especially on weekends.

• Rideshare

  Using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is another option. If you're in a city like Spokane or Yakima, request a ride directly to Mount Rainier National Park. This could be more expensive than driving yourself, with costs potentially ranging from $100 to $300 depending on distance and demand. Make sure to confirm the driver's route to the Nisqually Entrance. This option provides flexibility but check for availability of rides in more remote areas.