Koreans drive to Gangwon for mountains, sea, and clean air in a single trip — this loop strings together all three.
A 4-day Gangwon road trip runs from Seoul to Chuncheon, over the mountains to Sokcho and Seoraksan, down the east coast to Gangneung, and back to Seoul over Daegwallyeong via Jeongdongjin. Each driving day runs two to four hours. The loop uses three expressways: Route 60 out of Seoul, Route 65 along the coast, and Route 50 home over the pass. Winter demands real caution — heavy snow can close the mountain passes.
Which expressways does this route use?
Three numbered expressways form the whole loop. The Seoul–Yangyang Expressway (Route 60) runs east from Seoul through Chuncheon to Yangyang. The Donghae Expressway (Route 65) runs north–south along the coast, linking Sokcho, Gangneung, and Samcheok. The Yeongdong Expressway (Route 50) crosses from Gangneung back west toward Seoul, over Daegwallyeong pass. Seoul to Chuncheon on Route 60 is roughly 40 minutes in light traffic.
Green overhead signs show the numbers everywhere, so navigation is mostly a matter of following them: 60 east, 65 south, 50 west. Rest stops (휴게소) with food courts sit at regular intervals along every expressway, and toll booths take cards.
How do I rent a car and drive legally in Korea?
Korea recognizes the International Driving Permit, so bring one issued in your home country along with your passport — rental offices ask for both. You can rent a car at major train stations, airports, and city rental offices; book a few days ahead for weekends and holidays. Koreans drive on the right, and the 100–110 km/h expressway limits are strictly camera-enforced. Set your navigation app to English and avoid driving back into Seoul at rush hour.
What is the day-by-day route?
The classic loop uses one base per night — Chuncheon, Sokcho, Gangneung, then the south coast.
| Day | Base | Main drive | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chuncheon | Seoul → Chuncheon, Route 60 (roughly 40 minutes) | Lakes and the dakgalbi streets |
| 2 | Sokcho | Chuncheon → Sokcho via Route 60 east, then Route 65 north (a few hours) | Seoraksan National Park, Sokcho waterfront |
| 3 | Gangneung | Sokcho → Gangneung on Route 65 (a couple of hours) | Beaches, Anmok Coffee Street |
| 4 | Jeongdongjin / Samcheok | South coast on Route 65, back to Seoul via Route 50 over Daegwallyeong (several hours) | Sunrise, then the mountain pass home |
Day 1 — Chuncheon: lakes and the city's famous chicken dish
Chuncheon, the capital of Gangwon Province, sits among lakes — Uiam and Soyang are the two big ones — and the drive in on Route 60 is the easiest leg of the trip. When I walked the Uiam lakeside at dusk, the water was flat and the hills turned a soft gold. Chuncheon is famous for dakgalbi, spicy stir-fried chicken on a big iron plate with cabbage, sweet potato, and rice cakes. Order one portion per person and finish by adding fried rice to the leftover sauce.
Photo: Nakjibibimbap, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day 2 — Chuncheon to Sokcho: over the mountains to Seoraksan
Day 2 is the longest driving day, east on Route 60 and then north on Route 65, climbing into serious mountain country before dropping toward the sea. The reward is Seoraksan National Park, near Sokcho, where the granite peak of Ulsanbawi rises above the valleys. Trails range from gentle valley walks to steep full-day climbs, so pick your hike the night before. Then drive down to Sokcho for the evening — the waterfront and market area make a lively dinner stop.
Photo: Kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day 3 — Sokcho to Gangneung: the easy coastal day
Day 3 is the payoff drive — south on Route 65 with the East Sea on your left and almost no passes in the way. National Route 7 parallels the expressway right along the shoreline for a slower, more scenic run. In Gangneung, Gyeongpo Beach has the longest, widest stretch of sand. Anmok Coffee Street, south of the city center, is where Gangneung's coffee-city reputation started — an afternoon there with a sea view is an east-coast signature.
Photo: Christophe95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day 4 — Jeongdongjin and the drive home over Daegwallyeong
Start early and drive south on Route 65 to Jeongdongjin, just south of Gangneung and famous across Korea as a sunrise spot. When I arrived for sunrise, the small beach was already lined with people facing the same patch of horizon, and the sun came up directly over the water. From the south coast, loop back to Seoul on the Yeongdong Expressway (Route 50), which climbs over Daegwallyeong — highland pasture and wind-sculpted ridgelines, and in good weather one of Korea's most scenic expressway stretches.
Photo: Lim_bau, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
What should I know about driving in Gangwon in winter?
Gangwon gets some of Korea's heaviest snow, and the mountain passes — especially Daegwallyeong on Route 50 — can close or require chains after storms. Confirm with the rental office that the car has winter tires and check conditions the morning of Day 4. The upside is real: snowy Seoraksan peaks and an empty Gangneung beach are worth the extra caution.
Where should I stay each night?
Book one night per base and you will never carry luggage far. In Chuncheon and Sokcho, city hotels near the station or harbor keep things simple. In Gangneung, choose beachfront hotels for the sea view or city guesthouses for restaurants and the coffee streets. On the last night, a small seaside town like Jeongdongjin or Samcheok puts you by the sunrise.
Can I do this route without a car?
Yes. The KTX runs from Seoul to Gangneung, the ITX line connects Seoul to Chuncheon, and intercity buses link Seoul with Sokcho and the coast. You trade the freedom to pull off at every overlook for train schedules and timetables, but the car-free east coast is a comfortable trip in its own right.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the drive from Seoul to Chuncheon take?
Route 60 covers Seoul to Chuncheon in roughly 40 minutes in light traffic. On weekend and holiday mornings, traffic out of Seoul can double that, so leave early or travel on a weekday.
Do I need to speak Korean to rent and drive?
Not much. Navigation apps offer full English guidance, expressway signs show route numbers that need no translation, and rest stops are self-explanatory. Rental offices at airports and major stations usually have English-speaking staff — bring a printed reservation and your International Driving Permit.
Expressway or coastal road between Sokcho and Gangneung?
Take the Donghae Expressway (Route 65) for speed, or National Route 7 along the shoreline for scenery — it runs through fishing villages and beach towns but takes noticeably longer. Many drivers mix them: expressway for the long legs, Route 7 for the last hour into Gangneung.
When is the best season for this road trip?
Autumn brings mountain foliage and clear skies; spring is mild and quiet. Winter adds snow scenery with the driving caution described above, and summer means warm swimming beaches but the heaviest traffic on the coast.
Related guides
Seoul to Gangneung by KTX: Everything You Need to Know