Advice on Washington State routes

[Deva]

Originally Posted by kavm

There is snow on the side of the road. Not on the road itself. We drove it in the late May last year - snow tires would have been poor and chains illegal.

Since when is it illegal to carry chains? That’s news to me…

[WanderBred]

You shouldn't have any problems with four-wheel drive over any of our passes.

[cpaharley2008]

In Idaho tonite, Chilliwack tomorrow, roads were clear.....

[kavm]

Originally Posted by Deva

Since when is it illegal to carry chains? That’s news to me…

You can obviously carry whatever you want. To have chains on tires on the snow free roads in late May would be illegal. Same for snow tires. If they are on the truck and roads are dry and warm - they would not do well. But, you know that… I was just quibbling with the advice for late May. No offense intended.

[kavm]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

In Idaho tonite, Chilliwack tomorrow, roads were clear.....

Jim - You have not given a clue as to the winner in the route 2 or 20 debate

[sherminator]

For anyone considering WA20 this year: https://youtu.be/OhJR1Sk67vg

[ghosthunter]

Originally Posted by sherminator

For anyone considering WA20 this year: https://youtu.be/OhJR1Sk67vg

It should be noted that the North Cascade gets no where near the traffic of the other passes. My favorite time to drive it is early am from dawn on. On several trips across I was passed by no more than a dozen other drivers.

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

In Idaho tonite, Chilliwack tomorrow, roads were clear.....

We’re curious to know what route you ended up taking to the border. We’re making the trek out to Sumas in about two and a half-ish weeks. Did you stick with the interstate or one of the alternate routes?

Thank you, and have fun at the rally!

[cpaharley2008]

Because of the weather, sleet, snow, rain, we stayed on interstates. But later in the year with better weather you should be fine on alternate more scenic routes, not that this way was not scenic. The 360 degree views of the snow capped mountains were spectacular..... Remember, we are not used to the mountains, being from the other side of the "Big M" river.

[LynnB]

I recommend avoiding I-90. Check this out. https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/i-90-con...to-ellensburg/


A friend went over I-90 westbound two weeks ago. He had over two hours of 6 MPH travel. I-90 gets a lot of traffic and the construction is causing major delays.

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by LynnB

I recommend avoiding I-90. Check this out. https://engage.wsdot.wa.gov/i-90-con...to-ellensburg/

A friend went over I-90 westbound two weeks ago. He had over two hours of 6 MPH travel. I-90 gets a lot of traffic and the construction is causing major delays.

Yikes! Looks like construction delays on Highway 20 as well. Wonderful.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Because of the weather, sleet, snow, rain, we stayed on interstates.

Sorry to bother you again, Jim, but did you run into these delays on I-90? Thanks.

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

No snow tires, but do have 4 wheel drive....

hopefully your tires are at least M+S and ideally '3PMSF' (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) rated.


I'm a huge fan of BF Goodrich All/Terrain KO2's on my 4x4 trucks. even on gnarly dirt roads I rarely need 4WD at all. and they are very good in snow and wet pavement too. Pretty much anything short of deep mud or sand or hard ice. And they run quiet on pavement and have very nice road manners, wear quite well too.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by YakRV

Yikes! Looks like construction delays on Highway 20 as well. Wonderful.



Sorry to bother you again, Jim, but did you run into these delays on I-90? Thanks.

any delays were minimal, remember we came on a weekend if that matters...

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

any delays were minimal, remember we came on a weekend if that matters...

Thank you, Jim. We’ll be rolling through that stretch on the weekend as well. We don’t have quite the long trek you had, but hoping to avoid major delays on the final leg coming from the Cincinnati metro area. Appreciate the intel. Enjoy the rally in #5!

[Patch]

Hi, I lived in Washington and have driven across it many times. You have three major options. Interstate 90 is the fastest way. I don't particularly like it but it's there. Route 2 is a second option. An excellent road that remains open all year. Route 20, my favorite, is closed in winter but when it's open it's a spectacular drive. It goes through North Cascades National Park. Once over the mountains, take I-5 north to an exit in Bellingham for a route that will take you to Sumas. There are backroads that will do that also but you'd need to plug them into your GPS. Hope this helps.