Rt 20 or Rt 2 Across Washington State?

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jmarxen

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We are in the process of planning a trip to the Northwest for 2013, across the upper northern states, then down the Pacific coast. Years ago we spent a little time in the Seattle area but had arrived by commercial aircraft. Which would be the better and more scenic route across Washington state - Rt 20 or Rt 2 toward the Seattle area? What places should we be looking to visit? We have a 40 foot Newmar Mountain Aire.

Thanks,

Jim and Nancy
Newmar Mountain Aire
South Carolina
 
When we took our trip to the PNW in 2010, we took US20 all the way out to the coast from Iowa, but it actually goes through Oregon, not Washington state. Or you sure you have the correct route numbers listed?
 
We just drove Rt 2 across MN, ND, MT, ID and part of WA and would do it again because it is a good road and some very scenic areas.  However, between Minot, ND and eastern MT campsites are nonexistent because of the oil fields and all the oil workers.  We drove into one park that had lots of open spaces and we were told they were all rented.  The campgrounds are getting $1000 per site per month.  You may be able to get into a COE park.  That said don't let that stop you from using Rt 2
 
    SR20 is a state highway that goes from Newport, WA to just west of Port Townsend.  This will take you through some very scenic country.  You will have three mountain passes to cross but they are all doable except in the winter.  The most notable is the North Cascades which will take you over Washinton and Rainey passes.  Go slow, enjoy the view and you will do just fine.  Highway2 is a little farther south and will take you over only one pass .  Both are 2 lane and a little twisty in spots but the view is worth it.  Both will dump you out at I-5 then it's south to Seattle.
 
We lived just off I5 between Route 20 and US 2 and both routes are beautiful drives. The North Cascades National Park drive takes you through Withrop and down to Lake Chelan while US2 over Stevens Pass leads down through Leavenwoth as Margi mentioned into the Wenatchee Valley. There are plenty of things to see and do and lots of campgrounds along the way.


Further east US 2 becomes the primary off-interstate route across northern Wa into Idaho.
 
I've pulled a popup between Mount Vernon Washington and Bozeman Montana several times; using both State Route 20 and State Route 2.  My recommendation would be to take State Route 2 east to Wilbur, then SR 174 and SR 17 northeast to Pateros.  You'll go past Grand Coulee Dam, which is pretty amazing and Alta Lake State Park, just west of Bridgeport on SR153 has a very nice campground.  Then I would take 153 north through Twisp and Winthrop to SR 20.  Perrygin Lake State Park just north of Winthrop is another great campground.  Highway 20 across the North Cascades is very scenic and doesn't have half the traffic you'll encounter on SR 2.  Great places to check out along the way include the Washington Pass Overlook, Diablo Lake Overlook, the historic "company" town of Newhalem and the North Cascades NP visitor center nearby.  There are national park service campgrounds at Diablo Lake and Newhalem, but they don't have hookups.  There's a pretty nice KOA just west of Concrete, Washington.

Hope this helps.
 
As an indication of the nature of SR20 please note that West of Tiger WA thru to Sedro Wooley WA - this highway is considered to be one of the 10 best motorcycle roads in America.
During the summer months you will encounter HUNDREDS [between July & August Hundreds and Hundreds] of bikes on this narrow 2 lane road [between Kettle Falls WA and Republic WA, over Sherman Pass, and between Winthrop WA and Marblemount WA, over Washington Pass, the terrain is MOUNTAINOUS]. I am intimately familiar with this route having RIDDEN it both ways on a motorcycle several times and DRIVEN it East to West in a sports car once.
Having suffered a stroke my riding days have now come to an end and being unable to visit this beautiful area again on a bike is one of my greatest of losses. I would however as a result of the foregoing be very reluctant to take our 35' HR Endeavor LE over this route. I would recommend SR 2 except for the fact that it does not become scenic until Wenatchee.
Travel safe and have a great trip.
 
I have driven the North Cascades highway at least a half dozen times in gas and diesel m/h s and it is not a bad drive with lots of pull offs. Eastbound the descent is a long downgrade but there are three beautiful scenic stopping areas to let things cool down if you feel the need. Westbound is a series of short descents.
 
We have taken a motorhome over route 20 and it was no problem.  It was my maiden voyage in a motorhome, so that tells you something.  Have crossed the Cascades on 20, US2, I90 and US 12, all in motorhomes in the last few years.  I do not like 90 because it is soooo busy.  Hwy 20 is beautiful, and as long as it has been opened for the year is not a problem with a rig like yours.  Hwy 2 across the state is a nice ride--do stop and see the dam.  A laser light show at night is an attraction.  Mid summer it will be hot east of the Cascades but when you hit the west slope it is like someone turned the ac on (normally).  Perrygen Lake SP is a nice spot and Winthrop is an interesting place.  They just celebrated closing Hwy 20 for the winter so tourists are gone til next summer.  We live north of Seattle (Edmonds) and love the state.
 

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