US 2 from Spokane to near Seattle

[realladyat57]

We've started our cross country trip from the UP of Michigan to Joint Base Lewis /McChord. As I write this we are in a park in Wisconsin along Rte 2. We're familiar with the trip from here to Glacier NP but not further west. Are there any issues we should be prepared to cope with through Idaho and across Washington? We're towing a 27' TT. Thanks. MaryAnne

[realladyat57]

It's a beautiful area.

[enblethen]

You passed by our place just north of Moses Lake!

[realladyat57]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about US 2 from Spokane to Seattle. The trip went well. Since our destination was Fort Lewis, we chose to take route 17 south from Coulee City to where it meets up with I-90. We took I-90 across the mountains to WA 18 which put us in a good situation on I-5 to Fort Lewis. Route 17 was very scenic and we would have missed it if we had stayed on US2. The helpful hints provided by forum members were greatly appreciated.

[rhagfo]

This is the RV park just outside the Paradise entrance, it is called Mounthaven, it is a nice private park.

Mounthaven Resort

[Roy_Lynne]

path1 wrote:
Joint Base Lewis /McChord.....

Make sure you know which gate to use and hours. Or go thru main gate when "truck" gate is closed. However main gate is a challenging obstacle course.

The McChord is a challenge, not the Fort Lewis gate.

There are two things to consider when traveling on Hwy 2, Seattle traffic is a ***** most of the time, so if you take Hwy 2 you may want to consider that, but it is a beautiful Hwy and worth the effort. (You can get off earlier and hook up with Hwy 18 can come in that way.) Another and in my opinion pretty road to take would be Hwy 12, you can pick it up in Missoula I believe. It will take you on the south side of Mt Rainier and then drop you down just below Olympia so you can come north to JBLM. Fort Lewis, McChord and Camp Murray all have RV parks. If your staying at the Fort Lewis RV park you will want to exit at the North Fort Lewis exit, If your staying at McChord, the Main Gate is really your only option but it is a little twisty.

[paulj]

WA203 will take you south from Monroe (US2) to WA18. But I expect that route to take an extra hour (or 2) compared to I90 to 18. 18 is mostly divided, especially in the settled parts. 203 is still 2 lane through outer burbs and farm land.

From Yakima, you could cross the mountains on US12. Then take I5 north through Olympia to McCord, or WA7 north from Morton.

[rhagfo]

realladyat57 wrote:
Thanks for all the suggestions. We'll plan to avoid Seattle during rush hours and will take the suggestion of WA 18. Nine years ago we traveled from north of Seattle to Yakima (thru Seattle early on a Sunday morning) and my cousin gave us directions (long lost) for a way to Yakima that gave us a beautiful drive. While our rig was being worked on in the factory we explored some of the wine county and had a great day.

That beautiful drive would likely be what I know as the "Valley Highway" which is the old highway (WA 821 exit 109)that I82 replaced. I runs south of Ellinsburg to Yakima I runs along the river and is a bit twisty, compared to the hilly I82.

ON EDIT: PS: If you are not in a hurry, and want to enjoy the view more than make time, after going to Yakima, take Highway 12 west from Yakima over White Pass. Then at Morton (West side of the pass) turn north on Highway 7 to Elbe, WA. From Elbe you can head east on HY 706 to the main entrance to Mt. Rainer. There is a nice RV park just outside the park on the south side of the road.
Once done at Mt. Rainer you can continue north on HY 7, it will bring you in on the backside of JBLM, skipping Seattle and Tacoma!!!

[realladyat57]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We'll plan to avoid Seattle during rush hours and will take the suggestion of WA 18. Nine years ago we traveled from north of Seattle to Yakima (thru Seattle early on a Sunday morning) and my cousin gave us directions (long lost) for a way to Yakima that gave us a beautiful drive. While our rig was being worked on in the factory we explored some of the wine county and had a great day.

[paulj]

Both 2 and 90 are pretty flat across central Washington, though there are a couple scenic spots (Banks Lake and Mosses Coulee). The drop to the Columbia river on 2 is more substantial, as is the drop from Stevens Pass. But both are scenic across the Cascades.

But if your goal is McCord, I90 with the WA18 cutoff will bypass a lot of the Seattle traffic. You still have Tacoma traffic. US2 puts you into the north part of the Metro area. If taking 2, take the Monroe to Woodenville cutoff, and join I405 there.

[ktmrfs]

us-2 from glacier west through idaho and most of washington is a very scenic drive. Not a lot of traffic. However, with the fires in washington you may hit some smoke. Luckily the rains have helped a lot.

Leavenworth is gearing up for Octoberfest, starts Oct 1 this year I think, so it's worth a stop, but finding a campground nearby may be a problem. Lots of folks will book a year in advance. It's later than the real oktoberfest, so they are able to bring in bands from the Munich oktoberfest and put on a good show.

[Tom_Barb]

When we come west on 2, we cut south at Bonners Ferry on 95, intersect I90 then just west of Spokane we pick up 2 again. thru Airline Heights, ( the speed trap) saves a lot of two lane highway and down town Spokane. (2 goes thru the city) when you reach Wenatchee, just west of there is the intersection to 97 south, thru Blewit pass and the way to reach I-90 again, and west to the I-5 corridor.

[jamesu]

Your headline and write-up make it sound like you plan to take US2 all the way. If that is your objective do not take I-90 across the State as a couple of folks have suggested. Contrary to other's opinions, US2 is one of my favorite routes east to west across Washington. Goes through small towns and farm country. It's a beautiful drive, especially as you get closer to the mountains. I-90 does too, but then it's an Interstate and you won't experience the countryside.

US2 is 2 lane most of the way. Timing west of the Cascades is everything: avoid coming west from the Gold Bar to Everett on Sunday afternoon and during weekday rush hours (approx 2-6pm). Once you hit Everett and get on I-5 south you're on your own. Never know what you'll get: could be smooth or it could be a parking lot.

[path1]

Joint Base Lewis /McChord.....

Make sure you know which gate to use and hours. Or go thru main gate when "truck" gate is closed. However main gate is a challenging obstacle course.

[enblethen]

US 2 is a good route across Washington. It does not go over Snoqualmie but goes over Stevens Pass.
If you have enough time come over US 2, swing a little north and stop at Grand Coulee Dam.
US 2 goes through a town called Leavenworth. It has a Bavarian motif.
US 2 connects with I-5 in Everett, WA.
Yes, you could pick up I-90 and go across Snoqualmie Pass and then turn Southwest on WA 18 that comes in near Federal Way. It does cut off some of the heavy congestion in Seattle.
Either route is very doable with your rig.