In mid June we will be heading from the Portland, OR area up to Glacier, Banff, Lake Louise and the Jasper area of Canada. We will be leaving Portland sometime around noon on a Sunday and we have a reservation Monday night at Revelstoke, BC. I am looking for opinions on the best route and the best place to cross the border. It appears we have a choice of 3 major routes. I5 north to the Trans-Canada hwy, or head east out of Portland and then north on US-97, or head north on I5 to Tacoma, and then I90 east to US-97.I know traffic can be bad on I5 going north through Seattle, but I would think on Sunday it may not be real bad.Also, recommendations for quick things to see along the way and a place to stay Sunday night would be welcome. We are traveling in a truck camper if it makes a difference.Thanks!

Well my vote is for your option #2!Head east out of Portland and then north on US-97. Much more scenic, and even going as far north as Highway 512, south of Tacoma there is a lot of traffic in the Olympia JBLM.

I agree with Russ. 97 north except when you hit I90 go east and pick up the road North past dry falls toward Grand Coulee. It seems out of the way. But believe me it's a much flatter drive.

pirlbeck wrote:In mid June we will be heading from the Portland, OR area up to Glacier, Banff, Lake Louise and the Jasper area of Canada. We will be leaving Portland sometime around noon on a Sunday and we have a reservation Monday night at Revelstoke, BC. I am looking for opinions on the best route and the best place to cross the border. It appears we have a choice of 3 major routes. I5 north to the Trans-Canada hwy, or head east out of Portland and then north on US-97, or head north on I5 to Tacoma, and then I90 east to US-97.I know traffic can be bad on I5 going north through Seattle, but I would think on Sunday it may not be real bad.Also, recommendations for quick things to see along the way and a place to stay Sunday night would be welcome. We are traveling in a truck camper if it makes a difference.Thanks!I'd leave Portland via 84 to 97 north. leave the Seattle out of the trip. cross at Osoyoos. stay on 97A in Canada. Might take a bit more time, but a much more relaxed drive.

As donn0128 stated, 97 north of Ellensburg has some altitude and passes, but is very scenic. Going up 17 to Coulee City and north to Bridgeport is flatter, but is very winding below Coulee City, then very flat and boring up to Bridgeport!! Nice city campground at Bridgeport.

Gee, if you come up 97 you will drive right past our front door.:B There are some beautiful camp sites at Osoyoos right on the lake, that will probably be enough driving for one day and put you in easy reach of Revelstoke.

Portland,OR to Revelstoke, BC route suggestions needed.

17 Replies

Tom_Barb
Explorer
May 16, 2017
Just remember the border crossing in the I-5 corridor are a nightmare at best. Osoyoos is way laid back in comparison.
# 1 highway out of Vancouver is a very busy highway thru Hope and north. mostly truckers in a hurry.

97 is a bit hilly, but should not present a problem, simply take your time and stay right, let the traffic go by if needed.

If for some reason you must use the I-5 corridor get off at the meridian exit in Bellingham go north and cross at Sumas, this cuts off much of the #1 traffic, and is an easier crossing than the I-5 or the truck crossing in Lynden.

we do this twice or three times a month. Sumas has RV lanes, watch for them and get in the proper lane early. they are way left gates.
paulj
Explorer II
May 16, 2017
US97 across Washington has 3 passes

Satus 3107 ft
Manastash Ridge 2672 ft (I82 section)
Blewett 4102 ft

The drive up to Satus is relatively straight and smooth, with a few more curves on the north side. Manastash is a high speed freeway roller coaster. Blewett is more like the Cascade passes in Washington (Stevens) and Oregon.

The rest of the way in to the border is river valleys, first along the deeper Columbia, and then the broader Okanogan.

97 in BC feels urban busy in the Peachland - Kelowna - Vernon stretch.

The approach to Revelstoke from the south is probably the most scenic and leisurely. Trail to Castlegar is busy highway (divided?), but 6 and 23 follows long lake shores and includes a ferry. There are some good provincial parks along this route.
romore
Explorer II
May 16, 2017
Gee, if you come up 97 you will drive right past our front door.:B There are some beautiful camp sites at Osoyoos right on the lake, that will probably be enough driving for one day and put you in easy reach of Revelstoke.
TUCQUALA
Explorer
May 16, 2017
As donn0128 stated, 97 north of Ellensburg has some altitude and passes, but is very scenic. Going up 17 to Coulee City and north to Bridgeport is flatter, but is very winding below Coulee City, then very flat and boring up to Bridgeport!! Nice city campground at Bridgeport.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
May 16, 2017
pirlbeck wrote:
In mid June we will be heading from the Portland, OR area up to Glacier, Banff, Lake Louise and the Jasper area of Canada. We will be leaving Portland sometime around noon on a Sunday and we have a reservation Monday night at Revelstoke, BC. I am looking for opinions on the best route and the best place to cross the border. It appears we have a choice of 3 major routes. I5 north to the Trans-Canada hwy, or head east out of Portland and then north on US-97, or head north on I5 to Tacoma, and then I90 east to US-97.

I know traffic can be bad on I5 going north through Seattle, but I would think on Sunday it may not be real bad.

Also, recommendations for quick things to see along the way and a place to stay Sunday night would be welcome. We are traveling in a truck camper if it makes a difference.

Thanks!

I'd leave Portland via 84 to 97 north. leave the Seattle out of the trip. cross at Osoyoos. stay on 97A in Canada.
Might take a bit more time, but a much more relaxed drive.
donn0128
Explorer II
May 16, 2017
I agree with Russ. 97 north except when you hit I90 go east and pick up the road North past dry falls toward Grand Coulee. It seems out of the way. But believe me it's a much flatter drive.
rhagfo
Explorer III
May 16, 2017
Well my vote is for your option #2!
Head east out of Portland and then north on US-97. Much more scenic, and even going as far north as Highway 512, south of Tacoma there is a lot of traffic in the Olympia JBLM.

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Portland,OR to Revelstoke, BC route suggestions needed.

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