Community Forums

Ranger Jay · 09-20-2018, 08:28 PM

Hello,

My wife and I are planning a 5 month trip across the West Coast of the USA next month.

We booked a stay in Leavenworth (Thousand Trails) and were wondering if it would be safer to travel Highway 90 (Snoqualmie Pass) to Chehalis or doing the #2 going to Monroe.

What way would the forum drivers take?

Bob_C · 09-20-2018, 08:36 PM

I'd take the 90, then take the turn off to Kent, Auburn, Tacoma.......

Ranger Jay · 09-20-2018, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

I'd take the 90, then take the turn off to Kent, Auburn, Tacoma.......

Is it safe to travel through the Pass in October?

coupevilleDF · 09-20-2018, 08:58 PM

Either route is just fine. US 2 is primarily 2 lane whereas I90 is divided freeway. You would need to go south on 97 to reach I90, also a 2 lane with a mountain pass but wide and scenic.

On 2, west of the pass, there is a short steep downhill stretch but we've done it many times over the years with no problem.

As far as snow, my folks ran into snow on Steven's Pass (US 2) in July many years ago but it's unlikely you will have any in October. Snoqualmie Pass (I 90) seems to have more snow closures during the winter although it is a 1,000 feet lower.

xrcris · 09-21-2018, 07:41 AM

I guess it depends on where you want to go; is it a choice between Chehalis and Monroe? You'll be fine driving either route, I think 2 is a nicer drive but I'd avoid westbound 2 on a Sunday though.

Ranger Jay · 09-21-2018, 08:49 AM

Yes the choice is do I skip Chehalis and Do Monroe or do I skip Monroe and do Chehalis. I have driven the Snoqualmie Pass in winter in a Dodge Journey but never in a truck pulling a 32ft travel trailer.

Polyian · 09-21-2018, 09:51 AM

From Leavenworth the drive is very nice on Highway 2, I take this route quite a few times a year. But as mentioned above don't travel west on 2 on a Sunday (or east on a Friday). There is a rest stop with a dump station after leaving Leavenworth near Plain if you want to dump before crossing Stevens pass. Traffic can get backed up around Monro, particularly when the Evergreen State Fair is happening. Try to get through on a weekday morning and you should be OK.

I would decide based on where I'm headed in order to avoid going through Seattle.

saddlesore · 09-21-2018, 10:05 AM

As you are in Leavenworth..take a side trip in your toad just a few miles east to Cashmere and tour the Applet-Cottlet Factory......It's a toss up whether to run US-2 (nice views and fun places to see) or run east and south to I-90 and do the freeway gitty-up...

coupevilleDF · 09-21-2018, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger Jay

Yes the choice is do I skip Chehalis and Do Monroe or do I skip Monroe and do Chehalis. I have driven the Snoqualmie Pass in winter in a Dodge Journey but never in a truck pulling a 32ft travel trailer.

Chehalis is not on the route. I think you mean Cleelum. If you come south on 97 to hit 90 west, you do not need to go through Cleelum.

And yes, US 2 goes through a series of small towns, which slow you down a bit. WATCH your speed.