Road Tripping From Seattle To San Francisco

What To See On Your Way To A FIFA Game

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to be the biggest sports event held in the history of the planet earth with 48 teams from across the world competing in 16 cities spread across three countries. The sheer geographic spread means FIFA has divided the events into three official regions – Eastern, Central, and Western. 

For those going to matches in the Western FIFA cities (Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles), the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience becomes even more epic with a road trip along the Pacific Highway aka the most scenic route to kickoff. 

Rent a car at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport with Ascent Car Rental, turn on your playlist, and let the good times roll. 

How Long Does It Take to Drive from Seattle to San Francisco?

The 800-mile drive from Seattle to SF can be covered in 13 to 15 hours, down the I-5.

But that would miss the point of the journey entirely. Going down the PCH is the way to do it. 

Here’s a quick five-day road trip itinerary that lets you take in the sights and let the excitement build as you head to your FIFA 2026 match in San Francisco.  

FIFA Car Rental

Renting a vehicle for a road trip is always a good idea. Ascent Car Rentals makes the process easy. We offer easy, contactless car rental pickups at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport which means no waiting in lines or endless paperwork. Simply load your gear and crew into your waiting car, SUV, or minivan, and let the road carry you south.

What Kind of Car Is Best for the PCH?

Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway makes for a long road trip, which means you want to be comfortable and enjoy the drive, including all those hairpin turns. An automatic vehicle with a low center of gravity helps while an SUV or passenger van gives you the space you need for a long drive.

The Best Stops (and Overnight Gems) Along the Way

This route involves short daily drives of between 2 – 4 hours, giving you time to explore without burning out before match day. 

Night One: Cannon Beach, Oregon

Head south into Oregon from Seattle to Cannon Beach, known for its iconic Haystack Rock rising 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline. Enjoy the sea views and gather around a bonfire on the beach and get in the mood singing some FIFA anthems.  

Where to eat:

Grab some fresh seafood chowder, Dungeness crab, and local Oregon Pinot Noir at a cozy coastal bistro.

Where to stay:

You’ll find plenty of charming boutique inns and oceanfront lodges. 

Night Two: Bandon, Oregon

Cliffs. Sea stacks. Hidden coves. Pull-offs you didn’t plan but absolutely need. Stop at Bandon, a vibrant alternative to the tourist-packed Newport. Spend time on the beach and quench your thirst at a brewery. If you can stay a little longer, get into the competitive spirit at one of its world class golf resorts.

Where to eat: 

You’ll find local oyster bars and dockside seafood spots, among other excellent restaurants all over these two places. 

Where to stay: 

Choose from camping grounds, cliffside inns, or luxurious vacation rental homes that can fit your entire crew.

Night Three: Redwood Country, California

From the beach to the forests. Take a detour into the Redwood National and State Parks. The majestic trees provide just the right atmosphere to ask the universe to lead your team to victory. 

Where to eat: 

You’ll find plenty of picnic spots, if you’ve packed your own food or look for one of the many woodfired pizza spots that are dotted around.

Where to stay: 

Apart from campsites, you’ll find vacation rentals and lodges in towns like Miranda and Trinidad.

Optional Splurge Night: Sonoma

You can drive on to SF or stop for a night in Sonoma in California’s wine country for some vineyard views, refined dining, and luxurious accommodations.

Where to eat: 

Farm-to-table restaurants with seasonal menus and California wines. 

Where to stay: 

Boutique hotels or vineyard guesthouses. 

The Grand Finale: San Francisco & Match Day

Then, you’re in San Francisco! Unlike flying in, you’ll have built the excitement to the match day by day, turning a FIFA game into something even larger, a quest for adventure with a big payoff at the end.

Experience the magic and book your car rental with Ascent today!