How is the road between these two cities? It is a gray road on my map and there is no highway number designated. I would be driving a 40' motorhome and towing a car.
On GOogle Maps, E Blanchard Rd appears to be the main alternative. From Streetview it is just a curvy, and a bit narrower, but doesn't climb as high. It skirts Mt Spokane, which also has a ski resort (next road south).
But 41 to 2 to 395 would still be flattest.
I got my dog from a breader near Blanchard, though I met her in Spokane.