Hwy 2 across WA
Would you drive across WA with a 5er on HWY 2? In Spokane going to McChord AFB and would like to tour the candy factory in Cashmere WA.
Forum Discussion
- Just checked Google Maps. Wenatchee to Puyallup via I90 is actually 6 miles shorter.
jamesu wrote:
I have taken both routes from Spokane to home many times.
US-2 from Spokane to the coast is a two lane, scenic route through farm country and small town America. I-90 is just another long, flat Interstate. Depends upon what experience you're looking for.
Stevens Pass (US-2) is more scenic than Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) over the Cascades. Being a two lane highway, US-2 over the mountains is more challenging to drive...exhibit your best driving skills and you'll be fine.
The Wenatchee River Valley from Wenatchee to Leavenworth is apple orchard calendar picture-perfect. Stopping at the Aplets candy factory in Cashmere and then browsing this clean, cute, little town is well worth it. So is Leavenworth.
Tumwater Canyon directly east of Leavenworth on US-2 is posted "50"...no problem driving that.
Paulj has written viable alternatives to McChord in order to hopefully get you through the traffic quagmire that is Seattle/Bellevue/Tacoma when going to McChord form the north. The US-97 (Blewett Pass is a beautiful, yet long, route from US-2 to I-90 on the east side of the Cascades which will add considerable time to your route. I have driven it and I wouldn't recommend it if the alternative is to avoid traffic backups on the west side.
It's all a toss up. In my opinion enjoy the scenery along US-2 and then wend your way to McChord via WA-520 and I-405 as best you can depending upon the time of day and rush hour traffic. It is getting harder to avoid that in Western Washington anymore.
The last paragraph should read "wend your way to McChord via WA-522 and I-405..." NOT WA-520!
WA-522 is the route from Monroe to Woodinville. WA-520 is the toll bridge over Lake Washington...a whole 'nother beast. I would never recommend WA-520 that as a route to McChord in this context.- I have taken both routes from Spokane to home many times.
US-2 from Spokane to the coast is a two lane, scenic route through farm country and small town America. I-90 is just another long, flat Interstate. Depends upon what experience you're looking for.
Stevens Pass (US-2) is more scenic than Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) over the Cascades. Being a two lane highway, US-2 over the mountains is more challenging to drive...exhibit your best driving skills and you'll be fine.
The Wenatchee River Valley from Wenatchee to Leavenworth is apple orchard calendar picture-perfect. Stopping at the Aplets candy factory in Cashmere and then browsing this clean, cute, little town is well worth it. So is Leavenworth.
Tumwater Canyon directly east of Leavenworth on US-2 is posted "50"...no problem driving that.
Paulj has written viable alternatives to McChord in order to hopefully get you through the traffic quagmire that is Seattle/Bellevue/Tacoma when going to McChord form the north. The US-97 (Blewett Pass is a beautiful, yet long, route from US-2 to I-90 on the east side of the Cascades which will add considerable time to your route. I have driven it and I wouldn't recommend it if the alternative is to avoid traffic backups on the west side.
It's all a toss up. In my opinion enjoy the scenery along US-2 and then wend your way to McChord via WA-520 and I-405 as best you can depending upon the time of day and rush hour traffic. It is getting harder to avoid that in Western Washington anymore. - Just did hwy2 over Stevens Pass, west to east a couple days ago. Piece of cake. Been over plenty other passes far tougher. Onward through Spokane tomorrow.
- US 2 profile and weather
I90 profile and weather
These 2 pages give an idea of how the 2 routes compare, though they aren't drawn to scale. With both the climb up the east side is more gradual. US2 descends quickly on the west side to a river valley, though I don't think the grade exceeds 6-7%.
You can also drive to Wenatchee via I90, Quincy, WA28. I think it's a toss up as to whether that is better than US2 all the way across the flat interior. Both have to drop to Columbia River level. WA28 might be more gentle than US2.
After visiting Cashmere, you could continue on US2, or take US97 (and WA197) to I90. US97 has Blewett Pass. (Leavenworth on US2 is another interesting tourist stop.)
And advantage to taking US97 is that you could head to the south Sound via WA18, bypassing I405 through Bellevue and east side.
traffic and webcams for Seattle Note the links to maps for adjacent areas. There is road widening and blasting on both I90 and WA522, but they try to time that to minimize disruptions.
Close to McChord I'd stay on WA167 and 512 through Puyallup, avoiding potentially slow traffic through Tacoma. - It's a beautiful trip - enjoy!
- Just send private mail about McChord main gate. Hard for Rv's, tight turns
- US-2 is a good two lane highway.
There is a couple places to be careful of. Steep down grade westbound west of Waterville. Use low gear when you see sign at top of grade for trucks to check brakes.
Tumwater Canyon west of Leavenworth causes some people to get rattled. The road is wide enough but rock cliffs and scenery causes them problems. Watch your speed as it has been recently lowered.
Stevens pas is good climb depending on your TV.
Good parking near Applets and Cotlets factory. Watch for RV parking signs.
When you get to Monroe, use SR522 to get to I 405 and then I-5 to McChord.
