I'll be heading out to Wenatchee from the Tacoma area. When we lived in N Seattle, we used HWY 2. Now it looks like I-90 to Cle Elum to Wenatchee via 97 is the way to go! How is the area thru the Pass? My reason for asking is that if I get below 45MPH my Diesel/Trans Heat up! Now I pull the Sissy's, Hwy 2 and I-90 with no problem, due to Multi Lanes to allow getting around Slow Moving Traffic ETC!

Hi, Neighbor! I camp on the East side a lot and often take this route. That stretch of 97 isn't any more of a challenge than Hwy 2, and it's very scenic.Your biggest challenge with that route these days is probably I-90 construction near the summit...long delays there if you get caught. There's a Forest Service go-around road that one can use to avoid that snarl, but probably not easily negotiable for a rig the size of yours.Dunno if your rig will heat up if stopped/idling a long time in hot weather but it might be a consideration. I like to time my travels over that road around lower traffic times, but if you do the same do check the blasting schedule. They do that mostly at night, and shut down both sides of the road for the purpose. Have fun!

We travel that route quite frequently. Snoqualmie is 4 lanes headed up from the west and the slower vehicles are well behaved and stay to the right. I believe it is 4 lanes from the east as well...can't fully recall right now. But it is definitely at least 3 lanes.Blewitt Pass, Hwy 97, is a NICE highway, though it is mostly 2 lanes. There is a passing lane for the last few miles in each direction. I have gotten stuck behind slower vehicles but never where there is a passing lane. It's not as steep and windy from the south (west).This route is definitely my favorite when headed to that area. The only trouble is there are basically 3 passes when traveling this way if you take Tiger Mountain (passing lanes in each direction.) This can take a toll on your mileage, but when towing you should expect a hit compared to not towing.

They are done with the rock blasting on Snoqualmie Pass until after the holiday weekend. But it is very likely that you'll get stuck in traffic heading over the pass. If you've got cooling issues with the truck and slow traffic is a no-no then I'd definitely recommend leaving early in the AM. As for Blewett Pass, be prepared to slow down below 45 mph. As others have indicated, it's easy to get stuck behind slower traffic on that roadway. The good news is that there are occasional turnouts and places to pull off the road so if you have an issue hopefully you can find a place to let it cool off. You might want to have the fan clutch on your truck inspected as it is a likely culprit for the condition you describe. Good luck.

I am surprised what you tell about your truck. If you want keep going on I-90 and turn off at the exit for going to Quincy and Wenatchee. More miles but an easier drive. 45 mph might not happen on the 97 but who knows for sure.chevman from Wenatchee

Last year when the Wenatchee fires closed part of 97 we took the route that Larry suggested and it's a much flatter route, grade wise. It's about an extra hour or so to get to Wenatchee thru Quincy, but I find it's a more comfortable tow in general because I'm not having to go over all the passes and it's got straighter sections of road, so not so much 'mountain' driving.Personal preference of course, so unless I just have to be there an hour earlier, I'm sticking with the Quincy route when I go to Wenatchee (we go to Wenatchee Confluence State Park at least once a year.. :) )Mitch

HWY 97 (WA) | Good Sam Community

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Aug 29, 2013
Hi, Neighbor!

I camp on the East side a lot and often take this route. That stretch of 97 isn't any more of a challenge than Hwy 2, and it's very scenic.

Your biggest challenge with that route these days is probably I-90 construction near the summit...long delays there if you get caught. There's a Forest Service go-around road that one can use to avoid that snarl, but probably not easily negotiable for a rig the size of yours.

Dunno if your rig will heat up if stopped/idling a long time in hot weather but it might be a consideration. I like to time my travels over that road around lower traffic times, but if you do the same do check the blasting schedule. They do that mostly at night, and shut down both sides of the road for the purpose.

Have fun!

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