Best way to west side of Mt. Adams, WA from I5 southbound

167 and 512 are freeways, effectively a beltway around Tacoma. But you need to pay attention to lanes. If you don't you end up staying on 167 which Ts onto 161. Which isn't a disaster, since the 512 exit to 161 isn't that much further south. But the 31st exit from 512 is meant to be the main access to south bound 161.

For either 7 or 161 I'd try to exit from 512 rather than I5.

It looks like a Tuesday morning departure. I had a last minute photo shoot of a band Friday night so picked up some extra trip money but need to edit images. So, back to I5 southbound. How about I5 to exit 127 for 512 east then exit to southbound 161? Then 7 south and 12 east to Randle where we will find our way south on USFS roads (where we are more at home). Randle has a USFS ranger district office so we can get more info and on Tuesday they will be open. Is 512 limited access like a freeway? It looks like once we are on 161 the area is less congested. Thanks in advance. Thanks to all veterans.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Congestion/MemorialDay/2014/
WSDOT holiday travel time advice.

Thank-you for all your help. We were supposed to leave last Sunday but our Ranch Hand front replacement bumper just arrived today. That way we would have been out in the Nevada/Great Basin somewhere far from the madness of I5. We will probably go around via I5 then head east on 12. Or, use 20 eastbound then hit Mt. Adams on our return. I like where I live (and was born) but hate the drive through Seattle. Just plY it by the weather, I guess.

This weekend it probably doesn't matter how you try to get that far south from B'ham because it's going to be very congested. That said, I would get to Randle on US12 any way you can and then head south to Takhlakh Lake...I can't remember the FS road numbers, but I assume that Paulj's road info is accurate. IF it's not raining you'll have an awesome view of that beautiful mountain.

First check current road conditions on the Gifford Pinchot national forest website.

WA141 from White Salmon (on the Columbia) to Trout Lake is the only year around highway to this area. That's also home the Mt Adams Ranger district station.

NF23 is the direct route from US12 to Takhlakh Lake on the NW side of Adams. I don't know if that is open yet. The connection from the to Trout Lake area is partly gravel and might not be open.

WA503 from Woodland to NF90 gives access to the Lewis River campgrounds, and once snow is gone connects to 23 and Trout Lake. Wind River Rd from Carson is also paved to 90.

NF25 from 90 to US12 (Randal) is iffy. It's paved, but high enough (near Mt St Helens) that it might not be plowed. However, I have driven Wind River to 25 to Randal shortly after Memorial Day.

As to the routes near Tacoma, it probably doesn't matter. I've taken 161 more often, simply because I'm more likely to head south on 167 than I5.

7 and 161 are both heavy traffic, almost 24X7. I you are wanting Mt. Adams area, consider the long way around I5 South to US12 then East to Randle. I have not been into that area in several years, Forest Service roads were always well maintained and there are several small FS campgrounds (no promise on available space).