Best (aka) easiest route from Tacoma to Sequim

[rvdivers]

We're a 40' Class A towing and wonder which route would be best/easiest from Tacoma, WA to Sequim, WA. We are coming from Spokane on I-90. Going up through Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Poulsbo it appears to be freeway, but is it easier to go south to Olympia on I-5 and then north on Hwy 101.
Thanks!

[rvdivers]

Had an absolutely beautiful drive over 12 today...just before we got to I-5 the clouds opened up and it poured...was wonderful. Haven't seen the rain for a long time so we certainly enjoyed it! Made our way up to Hwy 101 and stopped at the Little Creek Casino - thanks for that information. Nice little RV park and very clean casino. Onward to Sequim. Thanks again to everyone who joined the post. Much appreciated!

[mockturtle]

Didn't see the mountain today--cloudy and rainy--but the road conditions on 12 are the best I've ever seen.

[2gypsies1]

Agree... Hwy 12 is a nice drive. We've stayed at Iron Creek national forest campground at Randle to tour/hike Mt. Rainier and also to drive the backside of Mt. St. Helens. White Pass is absolutely no issue.

[Roy_Lynne]

Hwy 12 is awesome.La Wis Wis is a great campground if you have an extra day. Its on 12 before you get to Packwood. Belongs to the Forest Service I think. There are two sections, the first one has places for larger RVs and sunny sites, while the lower one is trees and tight forest spaces. There is a nice hike in the woods and along the river.

[mockturtle]

I'll be headed over White Pass, myself, today. Highway 12 is my favorite route over the Cascades, although Mt. Rainier may be hidden in clouds today.

[rvdivers]

Thanks folks! This is such a helpful website...always can count on good input!
We couldn't get into a park near Leavenworth so decided to head down to Yakima and will travel over Hwy 12. It's been years since we traveled that route so will be nice to re-discover.

[Roy_Lynne]

I live in Tacoma and if you can miss the 4pm to 6 pm traffic, then I would take the Narrows. Going west its free, coming east its $$$$ so if your going back the same way, your would save money by taking the 101 to Olympia but not time.
Make sure you take the Hwy 18 from I 90 and avoid Seattle. It will come out just north of Tacoma.

[paulj]

oops - the dates are for last month, but it's still on the travel alerts.

I also see on WSDOT that US2 has a 20 mile construction zone west of Spokane

Sounds like chip sealing. A lot of that this summer (even in towns).

[mockturtle]

Personally I'd prefer coming across the Cascades on US-12 and up I-5 to Olympia to US-101.

Yes, and you don't have to go through Olympia as the 101 turnoff is south of it.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

If you cross the Cascades on I-90 into Seattle, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on WA-16 is your best bet. The limited access highway through the Kitsap Peninsula will be minimum delays, though traffic will be moderately busy.

I-5 from a bit north of Tacoma down past the turnoff to WA-16 is the worst construction/ traffic currently in the state. And is going to be for years as the rebuilt of the section through Fort Lewis/McCord AFB gets started.

Personally I'd prefer coming across the Cascades on US-12 and up I-5 to Olympia to US-101.

An alternate of US-2 and the ferry might have the easiest traffic, and might not. It will certainly be the most expensive. Before getting to the ferry terminal, unhook the toad and have the wife drive it separately. Cheaper than towing it which adds to total vehicle length.

Also, do not take US-2 westbound on a Sunday. A year ago people were seeing 8 to 12 hour drives from Leavenworth to Monroe on US-2 eastbound on Sunday afternoons.

[rhagfo]

rvdivers wrote:
We're a 40' Class A towing and wonder which route would be best/easiest from Tacoma, WA to Sequim, WA. We are coming from Spokane on I-90. Going up through Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Poulsbo it appears to be freeway, but is it easier to go south to Olympia on I-5 and then north on Hwy 101.
Thanks!

If you were coming in from the south, then the left off I5 north at Olimpia and taking 101 north makes sense. If you really hate traffic, the ferry route is nice, if money isn't an issue. just like a fiver you will be hit with over length and over height on the ferry.

Ferry Fares

[rvdivers]

paulj - Thanks for the catch on the WSDOT alert!!

[paulj]

Check WSDOT for a construction closure on 97, Blewett Pass right now:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2018/09/06/five-day-closure-us-97-over-blewett-pass-culvert-work-starts...

If you are already on US2, and don't need to go to Tacoma, consider staying on 2, and taking a ferry across - either the Coupville-PT or Edomonds-Kingston. It'll save some driving, though the cost is more. The Narrows bridge only charges toll on the south bound direction.

[rvdivers]

Thinking about going Hwy 2 West out of Spokane and visiting Leavenworth, then dropping down on Hwy 97 to Cle Elum and catching I-90. Hopefully the fires/smoke has cleared and air quality is better. Seems we've been breathing smoke since last October! Any suggestions on parks in that area?

Thanks so much for input about Hwy 16 and Narrows Bridge route!!