Submitted by Novel-Art3412 t3_1201p38 in Washington
I'm going to be heading to Central Washington from the Seattle area next Friday evening. Google Maps is showing similar estimated times for driving on I-90 and Highway 2, however I'm wondering for those who take this route frequently, what would you recommend?
Highway 2 is more of a rural drive, I-90 like driving I-5 in the mountains.
Highway 2 has Leavenworth, touristy things to do or stop to look at.
Both drives have beautiful scenery though. If it's a meandering drive I go highway 2, if it's focused, I need to get there, I go I-90.
Really it’s best to check right before you leave. You never know when there’s an accident or a closure. Assuming you’re coming back you can also make a loop out of it if you want to see different scenery.
I90 is generally less annoying with some traffic, highway 2 is rage inducing if you get behind a semi or a long stretch of bad drivers, other than that it is fine and 2 is much more scenic. Out of the Wenatchee valley highway 97 over blewett pass and then get on I90 in Cle Elum is fastest way to Seattle
Hwy 2
Highway 2 out of Monroe into Gold Bar is a nightmare on a good day. It’s beautiful but the traffic is terrible.
I think of Highway 2 as more of a summer drive. There’s a good chance that weather will be be a factor this time of year. It is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on, but that was in the summer.
2 has less lanes, more towns, more stop lights, more speed traps, and fewer passing zones.
I90 for the fastest route, highway 2 for a scenic drive with nice little shops and restaurants along the way
I like to take I-90 eastbound and westbound because Highway 2 is steeper and I finished off a set of brakes once coming down off Stevens Pass going to Seattle. Highway 2 is the more scenic drive though in my opinion.
Even if you take 90 and then 97 (Blewett Pass), you can still hit Leavenworth, it's not that far from where 97 intersects with 2.
And when 2 goes bad, it goes REALLY bad
Depends on where you're going, Leavenworth, Wennatchee, Chelan take 2 very pretty drive, anyplace else off 90 or 82 take I-90, Its coming back you need to worry about especially on a Sunday Hywy 2 gets very backed up about Gold bar and 90 gets slow around Cle Elum so just depends if you want to get stuck in traffic on a one lane road or a two lane road.
As someone who lives on highway 2, I'm begging you to take I-90. We are trapped in our homes on the weekend because traffic is so bad!
Hy2 is slower speed, and more speed traps more congestion go one way there and the other on the way back see what one you like
A lot of quality of comments here, hopefully you've read them all. It really should come down to what your plans and expectations are.
In a rush, take I-90. Relaxing, take 2. But if you take 2, be prepared for either impatient drivers on your ass, or being stuck behind a semi. So only take 2 if you can fucking relax.
traffic is only really bad 4 hours a day, and they can always go back to mann road and take ben howard back to monroe if it’s bumper to bumper
Highway 2 is slower through the mountains. If you’re worried about snow, Highway 2 takes you slowly through the highest points and is more scenic. I 90 isn’t as scenic, but usually gets you through the mountains quickly. If I have to drive in snow, I’d take route 2. If snow and ice are not likely, I’ll take I 90.
I-90 is much more reliable. I don’t care about Leavenworth though. I prefer 20, but that won’t be open for awhile.
MagicWalrusO_o t1_jdf9p4o wrote
Highway 2 is more scenic, I-90 is more reliable