Doing a road trip to Spokane, WA from Vancouver, BC and want to know places to see in between.

Submitted by IPyromancer t3_zn5u4e in Washington

Hello, I'm planning on doing a road trip to see a friend in Spokane, WA. The drive is around 7 hours and I would like to know how to break it up.

https://i.imgur.com/zgHmNrB.png

Above is the route Google Maps suggested that I take.

Let me know what's good in between to see!

If you have a different route in mind, that would be awesome to hear too.

Oh and any advice on doing long drives like this would be helpful as this will be the longest drive I've ever partook in.

Thank you!

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L1ghtfoote t1_j0f5682 wrote

Just throwing out some places, not necessarily on your route: Leavenworth, Grand Coulee Dam, Dry Falls, Republic Fossil Beds, Skykomish River near Index WA. If you drive across Highway 20, you will see some of the wilder places of WA. If you drive across Highway 2, you will see some of the empty and beautiful places of WA. If you have the time, i recommend either Hwy 20 or 2 over I90.

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ered_lithui t1_j0f6diy wrote

Depending on time of year OP is traveling, the SR 20 route could be inaccessible.

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0fy8od wrote

I was planning going there around January, is that a rough time?

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BiomedSquatch t1_j0gpprl wrote

You could cut off highway 20 onto highway 530. It's a beautiful drive following a river most of the way. You'll see scenic farmland and be in a forest with trees over you like you're in a natural tunnel made of trees. Just be aware most do 5-10 mph over the speed limit but drive at a comfortable speed for yourself and let people go by when you can. Be careful in Spokane if you're not white or have some liberal or pride stickers on your car. Lotta racists and homophobes there.

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Pepita09 t1_j0fix7x wrote

I'd recommend taking 20 if they're going at time of year when it's open!

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0gjt2s wrote

Are there any places along Highway 20 that you recommend? The ones you mentioned are around I90 and Highway 2. I’m planning on going through highway 2 going to Spokane and then Highway 20 on the return trip; thanks to your suggestions! :)

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Jaded-Environment-95 t1_j0gp4hb wrote

Well worth your time to take a little jaunt up to Chelan if taking Hwy 2. Probably only 15 miles from 97/2 junction. Beautiful lake, very scenic, nice little city. Definitely has the wow factor!

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L1ghtfoote t1_j0h2ip2 wrote

Hwy 20 goes past Diablo and Ross lakes and Washington pass. Winthrop is a nice little town. Republic has Fossil Beds right on the Hwy (check in at the museum and you can hunt fossils). Lots of wild country the rest of the way.

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Bardamu1932 t1_j0fbf01 wrote

Yeah, I wouldn't do that drive in winter. Wait until spring.

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coffeeandtrout t1_j0f4bne wrote

Maybe break from I90 at George, head up through Ephrata to Coulee City, check out Dry Falls on the way. Take Hwy 2 to Spokane, stop at the Alibi Tavern in Wilbur for lunch and head along the farmland to Spokane. It also depends on when you’re planning the trip, if weather’s shit stay on I90! Have fun and be safe.

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Knightoforder42 t1_j0fe1km wrote

You're already going through Mount Vernon, hit up Deception Pass Bridge go down Whidbey Island, and take the Clinton/Mukilteo ferry, it'll spit you back out near the I-5 and go East from there. The views are really pretty and it won't really take too much extra time.

You'll pass right by the Boeing facility too.

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0gl9vh wrote

Does the Ferry take credit card and would I be able to my ticket there? Or should I buy it beforehand?

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rmk70 t1_j0gmszo wrote

Credit card is fine. There is no need to buy ticket in advance. I second this side trip. Deception pass is great! Also check out Ebeys Landing, ft enemy and maybe Langley while on the island.

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Jamieobda t1_j0f94vf wrote

Even the pass can get dicey

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xoxogossipgirlnah t1_j0fimag wrote

Ginko petrified forest is interesting if it is on your route. See evidence of a rainforest existing where there’s now a desert.

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Just-Trade-9444 t1_j0fw0pj wrote

I am not sure if it’s your first time going to WA and if you are planning to go there for Xmas or something in the spring or summer? How many days are you planning to do?

Deception pass is a must stop. It’s beautiful place there. Leavenworth makes you feel you are In another country. Palouse Fall is beautiful place as well.

Ballard & Fremonts have many local owned breweries to check out if you like that. If you are coming in the summer time, many hiking spots in the areas to check out.

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0fyc9h wrote

I’ve been to Seattle quite a bit, and go there often. I’ve never headed this far east before!

I’m planning on going for about a day or two. Can’t afford to use my vacation time at work.

I’m planning on heading there around January, would that be a rough time?

Thank you for your suggestions!

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troubleinpink t1_j0i4bs5 wrote

This is NOT a 2.5 day drive/trip if you want to do anything more than be in your car the entire time with pee breaks

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Just-Trade-9444 t1_j0gbgmb wrote

Deception pass at least, Leavenworth if the road is good condition & you are comfortable driving in the snow. Highway 2 is a very scenic drive when you are in the mountains.

Since you are from BC, I would love some suggestions & advice to places to visit either in the spring or summer time there. I was thinking about 2.5 days from Friday to Sunday. I haven’t been to BC since I was teenager where we visited Stanley park & aquarium. Thank you in advance.

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evemsa1 t1_j0gvs57 wrote

Recommend Mount Vernon's downtown for a lunch break, it's a cute little area with a nice waterfront on the Skagit River; full of small businesses/places to eat or grab a coffee, and a Co Op that serves hot food!

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0l24uk wrote

Love supporting small businesses, thanks for the suggestions!

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FabFr3ak t1_j0hggw2 wrote

I would highly recommend stopping in Bellingham or at least going through Chuckanut drive it’s super pretty! Also if you’re looking for something to eat the best local secret is this delicious dumpling shop called Pelmeni that is sooooo good!

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0l22t6 wrote

Oooo, never had pelmeni before! Looks great, thank you for the recommendations c:

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ViridiumGaming t1_j0hukd6 wrote

If you go through Ellensburg, there is the Olmstead Place Historical State Park. Really pretty landscape through that area. One thing I have to say that I saw just about everybody saying is that Leavenworth is definitely a place you need to go. 10/10 recommendation. During the summer they have outdoor musical plays. In the winter it is all lit up with Christmas lights.

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Wellcraft19 t1_j0i39bl wrote

Take the Crows Nest Highway (3) directly to the east! Many cool spots along it. Osoyos, Grand Forks, Kettle Falls. Can go skiing in Rossland (Red Mountain), one of north Americas best ski areas. Even visit Nelson, Whitewater (powder), Salmo (Finnish settlement) before heading south towards the border.

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westsidewalter t1_j0nq5vo wrote

I would not skip over Leavenworth-Wenatchee, gorgeous scenery with plenty of neat places to check out out on the go.

You would be skipping Seattle but these are easier places to see on the move than Seattle. Seattle is more of a day-trip.

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drunk_frat_boy t1_j1445v0 wrote

Palouse falls if you end up taking I90!!

A lil bit out of your way but it's one of those one of a kind things you gotta see at least once!

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bigholms85 t1_j0fqsm7 wrote

Depending on what time you roll past cle elum a stop at the butcher shop for some jerky or pepperoni is good. I would suggest to try the Landjäger.

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IPyromancer OP t1_j0gftsp wrote

Are you referring to Glondo’s Sausage Co or just any butcher shop in Cle Elum?

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bigholms85 t1_j0hxfeo wrote

Owen's meats the butcher shop the next block down from golondo's. They also have great bacon and smoked pork chops.

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YoseppiTheGrey t1_j0gy7nd wrote

Take all the money you saved for the trip and pay for them to come to Vancouver. You'll both have more fun.

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ExerciseUnited187 t1_j0frv1b wrote

All of Seattle waterfront ! The piers are fantastic fun

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dodge_menace t1_j0fhled wrote

Why would you come here? I mean I like it but other places are better. Although we have zips buy zips when you get here.

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