Highway 97 to Leavenworth Wa

Highway is a nice drive. Mountain passes? Yup. Sadus pass can be iffy if the weather is bad. The road is generally good though, on the north side it gets twisty. From there on you drop down and climb back out of Yakima valley past the bombing range. The road is mostly 4 lane, but thru the mountains to I90 and then back to 97 north. Expect 3 to 4 hours getting there. From I90 97 is slow going two lane road.
Where are you now? The climb out of the Columbia canyon is long and pretty steap too.

US 97 is good. Most of US 97 is two lane with some truck lanes.
From Toppenish area to north of Ellensburg, US 97 is also I-84 and I-90.
From around Selah, near the Yakima Firing Range(not bombing range) I would suggest WA 821. It is narrow for some but very scenic following the Yakima River.
There is two passes. Satus Pass is north of Goldendale and Blewett Pass is north of Ellensburg.
Neither are very steep. Going north the downhill portions would be more of a concern as you need to watch speed. Corners come on quick!

Great road. One of my favorites.

We've done it several times with no problems, and we're a bit longer than you..Enjoy the scenery.. :)....Dennis

Thank all of you very much.

ppine wrote:
Great road. One of my favorites.

Interesting sites and home made dinners? Where do you stop? We have been to Wa several times but not that part. Leavenworth via seattle.

Fuel stops? In out ease? Anything you think we need to or would want to know about.

Fuel is less expensive in Ellensburg and Wenatchee then Leavenworth. There is truck stops, Flying j, Loves. Smaller stations have decent set up for larger rigs.
West of Leavenworth is Tumwater Canyon. Very good scenery. Crooked highway with slower speed posted.
Use toad for visiting Leavenworth. There is some parking west end of town on right (north) side of US 2 next to DOT shop. There is park and ride near junctionof US 97 and US 2. About 10 miles east of Leavenworth.
What direction are you going after Leavenworth?

Back to Carson we are volunteering at Fish hatchery this summer. Love Washington and have been to Leavenworth several times wife loves the Christmas Store me I'm German can't help myself. LOL

What do you recommend for 2/3 days roundtrip from Carson?

I also would like to do some easy Trout water fishing legs, back and knees don't walk far nowadays.

enblethen wrote:
Fuel is less expensive in Ellensburg and Wenatchee then Leavenworth. There is truck stops, Flying j, Loves. Smaller stations have decent set up for larger rigs.
West of Leavenworth is Tumwater Canyon. Very good scenery. Crooked highway with slower speed posted.
Use toad for visiting Leavenworth. There is some parking west end of town on right (north) side of US 2 next to DOT shop. There is park and ride near junctionof US 97 and US 2. About 10 miles east of Leavenworth.
What direction are you going after Leavenworth?

bigred1cav wrote:

ppine wrote:
Great road. One of my favorites.

Interesting sites and home made dinners? Where do you stop? We have been to Wa several times but not that part. Leavenworth via seattle.

Fuel stops? In out ease? Anything you think we need to or would want to know about.

Hey Chief, my bro in law retired a CMS at Wright Pat.

If you were driving to Ohio what route would you take? I'm looking at 90 want to avoid as many mountains as possible. Looking at 80 and 70 also but looks to me like 90 is least big mountains.

Hey Chief, my bro in law retired a CMS at Wright Pat.

If you were driving to Ohio what route would you take? I'm looking at 90 want to avoid as many mountains as possible. Looking at 80 and 70 also but looks to me like 90 is least big mountains.

enblethen wrote:
US 97 is good. Most of US 97 is two lane with some truck lanes.
From Toppenish area to north of Ellensburg, US 97 is also I-84 and I-90.
From around Selah, near the Yakima Firing Range(not bombing range) I would suggest WA 821. It is narrow for some but very scenic following the Yakima River.
There is two passes. Satus Pass is north of Goldendale and Blewett Pass is north of Ellensburg.
Neither are very steep. Going north the downhill portions would be more of a concern as you need to watch speed. Corners come on quick!