One of the questions visitors ask most often before arriving is:
Can you drive on the beach in Ocean Shores?
The answer is yes—and for many first-time visitors, it’s one of the most surprising things about Ocean Shores.
Unlike many coastal destinations where vehicles are prohibited, Ocean Shores allows vehicles on large portions of the beach. In fact, driving on the sand is one of the area’s most unique attractions and a tradition enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.
Whether you’re planning your first beach drive or simply want to know the rules before heading out, here’s everything you need to know.
Yes, you can drive on the beach in Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores is one of the few beach towns in Washington where beach driving is allowed.
The beach is considered part of Washington’s coastal beach highway system, and vehicles are permitted on designated drivable sections of the beach. This allows visitors to enjoy miles of ocean views without ever leaving their vehicle.
For many visitors, driving on the beach becomes a vacation highlight. Families pack beach chairs and coolers, photographers chase sunsets, and storm watchers get front-row seats to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most dramatic weather.
Where can you access the beach?
Ocean Shores offers several vehicle access points that connect directly to the sand.
Popular beach approaches include:
- State Route 115
- Chance A La Mer
- Pacific Boulevard
- Ocean Lake Way
- Taurus Boulevard
Additional access points and beach approaches are available throughout Ocean Shores, making it easy to reach the beach from most areas of town.
Depending on where you’re staying, you may be only minutes away from a beach entrance.
Why do people drive on the beach?
At first glance, it might seem unusual.
Then you see the beach.
Ocean Shores features miles of wide, flat sand that can stretch hundreds of feet from the dunes to the waterline. Because the beach is so expansive, driving allows visitors to explore different sections of coastline without long walks.
People drive on the beach to:
- Watch sunsets
- Go beachcombing
- Fly kites
- Watch storms roll in
- Fish from the shore
- Access razor clam digging areas
- Enjoy ocean views from their vehicle
- Reach quieter sections of the beach
On windy or rainy days, beach driving allows visitors to enjoy the ocean without battling the weather.
What vehicles can drive on the beach?
Most passenger vehicles can drive on the beach under normal conditions.
You’ll see:
- Cars
- SUVs
- Pickup trucks
- Vans
While four-wheel drive is not required, it is strongly recommended, especially during wetter months or if you’re unfamiliar with beach driving.
The biggest challenge isn’t the hard-packed sand—it’s the soft sand.
Avoid soft sand
If you’ve never driven on a beach before, this is the most important advice you’ll receive.
Hard-packed sand is generally safe for most vehicles.
Soft sand is where problems start.
Ocean Shores officials specifically warn visitors to stay on firm, packed sand and avoid loose “sugar sand” where vehicles commonly get stuck.
A good rule of thumb:
- Stay on packed sand
- Avoid dunes
- Avoid loose dry sand
- Keep moving steadily
- Avoid sudden stops or sharp turns
Every year, tow trucks rescue vehicles that underestimated how quickly beach conditions can change.
What are the speed limits?
Driving on the beach doesn’t mean normal traffic laws disappear.
The speed limit on Ocean Shores beaches is 25 miles per hour, and all standard rules of the road still apply.
Drivers are expected to:
- Yield to pedestrians
- Drive cautiously around parked vehicles
- Slow down near beach access points
- Watch for pets and wildlife
Remember: people are walking, flying kites, digging clams, and taking photos. Safe driving is essential.
Things you cannot do
The beach may be a highway, but it’s not a racetrack.
Washington regulations prohibit activities such as:
- Racing
- Fishtailing
- Doing donuts
- Figure eights
- Reckless driving
- Driving in the surf
- Driving in the dunes
Violations can result in citations, and law enforcement regularly patrols beach areas.
Watch the tides
The Pacific Ocean always wins.
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is parking on the beach at low tide and then wandering off for several hours.
When they return, the ocean has moved much closer than expected.
Ocean Shores officials regularly remind visitors to check local tide tables before driving or parking on the beach because vehicles occasionally become trapped by incoming tides.
Before heading onto the sand:
- Check the tide schedule
- Know when high tide occurs
- Avoid parking too close to the water
- Keep an eye on changing conditions
The ocean can move surprisingly fast.
Seasonal vehicle restrictions
Many visitors don’t realize that some beach areas have seasonal restrictions.
The section of beach between the Chance A La Mer approach and Pacific Avenue approach is typically closed to vehicle traffic between April 15 and Labor Day to create a safer pedestrian recreation area.
Always pay attention to posted signs and local regulations, as restrictions can change.
Is driving on the beach worth it?
Absolutely. For many visitors, it’s one of the most memorable parts of an Ocean Shores vacation.
There’s something uniquely Pacific Northwest about rolling down the windows, smelling the salt air, watching waves crash onto the shore, and cruising along miles of open beach.
Whether you’re searching for razor clams, watching a storm move across the horizon, or simply looking for the perfect sunset photo, driving on the beach offers a perspective that many coastal destinations simply can’t provide.
The bottom line
Yes, you can drive on the beach in Ocean Shores—and it’s one of the area’s most unique attractions.
With multiple beach access points, miles of drivable coastline, and spectacular ocean views, beach driving has become part of the Ocean Shores experience. Just remember to stay on hard-packed sand, obey the 25 mph speed limit, watch the tides, and respect seasonal closures.
Do that, and you’ll get to experience one of Washington’s most distinctive beach traditions while creating memories that are hard to find anywhere else on the coast.
Stay oceanfront at Polynesian Rentals
After a day of beach driving, exploring the shoreline, hunting for razor clams, or watching the sunset over the Pacific, there’s nothing better than returning to a comfortable oceanfront condo.
Polynesian Rentals offers guests a front-row seat to everything that makes Ocean Shores special. Guests can enjoy easy beach access, stunning ocean views, and the convenience of being close to many of Ocean Shores’ most popular attractions. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a relaxing coastal retreat, Polynesian Rentals provides the perfect home base for your Ocean Shores adventure.
After all, if you’re coming to the beach, you might as well stay right on it. Book your Ocean Shores vacation with us today!
