How long is Mount Baker Highway in Washington?
Usa, north-america
92 km
1,567 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Mount Baker Highway (also known as Washington State Route 542), a 57-mile stretch of pure driving bliss snaking through the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This baby starts near Bellingham, Washington (that’s just north of Seattle, close to Canada), and follows the North Fork Nooksack River all the way up to Artist Point, which sits pretty at 5,140 feet.
Built way back in 1893 as a logging road, the final few switchbacks near the top are a real gut check. You can see exactly how much further UP you have to go, and it's either inspiring or terrifying! Fair warning: after you pass the town of Glacier (around Mile 33), you won't find any services like food, gas, or even proper restrooms. So, fill up before you go!
Allow about two hours to drive it straight through, but honestly, you'll want to budget way more time because the scenery is insane. Think breathtaking views around every bend. The ultimate payoff is Artist Point, offering a complete 360-degree panorama of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker, plus a bunch of hiking trails.
Keep in mind that Artist Point is only accessible for a few months each year (usually July to September/October) because of heavy snow. The Washington State Department of Transportation closes the road to Artist Point during winter. Even then, the road is open to the Mount Baker Ski Area (Mile 55) which is where the road ends in the winter. This area once held the world record for snowfall in a single season, so you know they get serious snow.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 92 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,567 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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