If you’re familiar with eastern Washington, you probably already know how peaceful and beautiful the Coulee City area is. In a quiet part of the state that might seem desolate to the untrained eye sits Washington’s Million Dollar Mile, a scenic stretch of Highway 155 that will leave you breathless. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to take in the stunning views, add it to your bucket list right away, because it’s one of the best scenic drives in Washington! 

The Million Dollar Mile, which is a stretch of the Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway, got its name from the high price tag that came with its 1948 design.

Google Maps The mile-long passageway takes you up from the floor level of the Grand Coulee Dam to the top of the wall and back down again.

Portions of this highway were carved through the rugged basalt rock walls that make up the landscape of Eastern Washington.

Skwiki / TripAdvisor This was necessary in order to construct Highway 155 along Banks Lake. At the time, a million dollars (the cost of this project), was an astronomical amount of money. Imagine how much it would cost now.

So, what makes this small stretch of highway so amazing?

Al / Flickr Driving through so much basalt rock, for one. Seeing how the landscape was altered by mankind is fascinating. Also, there’s the regal Grand Coulee Dam.

You’ll also have great views of the Coulee Corridor.

Asusanrae / TripAdvisor The Coulee Corridor shows the remaining effects of of an ancient Ice Age flood.

The Grand Coulee Dam is extremely impressive up close.

Keith Ewing / Flickr The dam is a water source for over 75 types of farm crops. And if that doesn’t impress you, the nightly laser light show from May-September will.

You won’t see scenery quite this unique anywhere else in Washington.

skwiki / TripAdvisor

What do you think — do you agree that the Million Dollar Mile is one of the best scenic drives in Washington? Have you driven this resplendent route before? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Google Maps

The mile-long passageway takes you up from the floor level of the Grand Coulee Dam to the top of the wall and back down again.

Skwiki / TripAdvisor

This was necessary in order to construct Highway 155 along Banks Lake. At the time, a million dollars (the cost of this project), was an astronomical amount of money. Imagine how much it would cost now.

Al / Flickr

Driving through so much basalt rock, for one. Seeing how the landscape was altered by mankind is fascinating. Also, there’s the regal Grand Coulee Dam.

Asusanrae / TripAdvisor

The Coulee Corridor shows the remaining effects of of an ancient Ice Age flood.

Keith Ewing / Flickr

The dam is a water source for over 75 types of farm crops. And if that doesn’t impress you, the nightly laser light show from May-September will.

skwiki / TripAdvisor

And if you’re thinking about the trips you’d like to take or things you’d like to experience in the beautiful Evergreen State, our Ultimate Washington Bucket List should help get you started!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Washington 155, WA-155, Coulee Dam, WA, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Scenic Drives in Washington August 16, 2021 Sarah What are some of the best scenic day trips in Washington? We naturally thrive on adventure here in the PNW, and there really is an endless list of must-visit places in Washington. From majestic mountains to old-growth forests, resplendent lakes to stunning cascades, you’ll get a front-row seat to Washington’s most spectacular wonders, all from behind the wheel! We’ve mapped out eight of the very best, most scenic road trips in Washington, perfect for satisfying – and fueling! – your wanderlust. Is the Million Dollar Mile the most scenic drive in Washington? The Million Dollar Mile is certainly one of the most scenic drives in Washington, but it is by no means the only one! Washington is just bursting with natural beauty, so there are numerous scenic drives to be taken all across the Evergreen State. We’re partial to these eight beautiful backroads; along these scenic routes you’ll discover some of Washington’s most dazzling wonders and naturescapes. On the list, the Strait of Juan De Fuca Scenic Byway is an under-the-radar gem; this byway begins near Port Angeles and takes you past cliffs and old growth forest to the Makah Indian Reservation by Neah Bay. Along the scenic drive, you’ll also pass such beautiful towns as Challam Bay and Joyce. It’s positively perfect. What are some beautiful places to visit in Washington? How much time do you have? Because there is a near endless list of beautiful places to visit in Washington! We recommend starting with this list of 15 must-see spots. Featuring places such as Cape Flattery, Lenore Lake Caves, Hurricane Hill, and Tolmie Peak, all of these stunning spots belongs on any Washingtonian’s bucket list!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Scenic Drives in Washington

August 16, 2021

Sarah

What are some of the best scenic day trips in Washington? We naturally thrive on adventure here in the PNW, and there really is an endless list of must-visit places in Washington. From majestic mountains to old-growth forests, resplendent lakes to stunning cascades, you’ll get a front-row seat to Washington’s most spectacular wonders, all from behind the wheel! We’ve mapped out eight of the very best, most scenic road trips in Washington, perfect for satisfying – and fueling! – your wanderlust. Is the Million Dollar Mile the most scenic drive in Washington? The Million Dollar Mile is certainly one of the most scenic drives in Washington, but it is by no means the only one! Washington is just bursting with natural beauty, so there are numerous scenic drives to be taken all across the Evergreen State. We’re partial to these eight beautiful backroads; along these scenic routes you’ll discover some of Washington’s most dazzling wonders and naturescapes. On the list, the Strait of Juan De Fuca Scenic Byway is an under-the-radar gem; this byway begins near Port Angeles and takes you past cliffs and old growth forest to the Makah Indian Reservation by Neah Bay. Along the scenic drive, you’ll also pass such beautiful towns as Challam Bay and Joyce. It’s positively perfect. What are some beautiful places to visit in Washington? How much time do you have? Because there is a near endless list of beautiful places to visit in Washington! We recommend starting with this list of 15 must-see spots. Featuring places such as Cape Flattery, Lenore Lake Caves, Hurricane Hill, and Tolmie Peak, all of these stunning spots belongs on any Washingtonian’s bucket list!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

We naturally thrive on adventure here in the PNW, and there really is an endless list of must-visit places in Washington. From majestic mountains to old-growth forests, resplendent lakes to stunning cascades, you’ll get a front-row seat to Washington’s most spectacular wonders, all from behind the wheel! We’ve mapped out eight of the very best, most scenic road trips in Washington, perfect for satisfying – and fueling! – your wanderlust.

Is the Million Dollar Mile the most scenic drive in Washington?

The Million Dollar Mile is certainly one of the most scenic drives in Washington, but it is by no means the only one! Washington is just bursting with natural beauty, so there are numerous scenic drives to be taken all across the Evergreen State. We’re partial to these eight beautiful backroads; along these scenic routes you’ll discover some of Washington’s most dazzling wonders and naturescapes. On the list, the Strait of Juan De Fuca Scenic Byway is an under-the-radar gem; this byway begins near Port Angeles and takes you past cliffs and old growth forest to the Makah Indian Reservation by Neah Bay. Along the scenic drive, you’ll also pass such beautiful towns as Challam Bay and Joyce. It’s positively perfect.

What are some beautiful places to visit in Washington?

How much time do you have? Because there is a near endless list of beautiful places to visit in Washington! We recommend starting with this list of 15 must-see spots. Featuring places such as Cape Flattery, Lenore Lake Caves, Hurricane Hill, and Tolmie Peak, all of these stunning spots belongs on any Washingtonian’s bucket list!