Driving to the Methow Valley
Approximate Mileage:
From Seattle: 232 miles
From Wenatchee: 98 miles
From Portland: 388 miles
From Spokane: 182 miles

From the Seattle/Tacoma Area:
North Cascades Route From I-5 approximately 65 miles north
of Seattle turn east onto Highway 20 (the North Cascades Highway) at Burlington. Follow Highway 20 approximately 132 miles east to Winthrop.

This is the most popular and scenic route to Eastern Washington; however this pass is closed from approximately mid-November through mid- April from 17 miles west of Winthrop to just east of Newhalem. Please check the Mountain Pass Road Information Reports during this time to verify that the pass is open.


Alternate Routes From the Seattle/Tacoma Area:

Stevens Pass Route:
Take I-5 North to Everett or 522 to Monroe and take Stevens Pass, Highway 2, east to Wenatchee. Continue on Highway 2 following signs to East Wenatchee/Okanogan, crossing the Columbia River. Turn left at the junction with Hwy. 2/97 and continue north to Okanogan/Orondo/Brewster/Pateros. This route follows the east side of the Columbia River and is a faster route than 97A. Approximately 58 miles north of Wenatchee turn left at Pateros onto Highway 153 (20) to Winthrop.

Snoqualmie Pass Route:
Follow I-90 east over Snoqualmie Pass to the junction with Highway 97 over Blewett Pass to the junction with Highway 2, 4 miles east of Leavenworth. Turn right onto Highway 2 east to Wenatchee and follow directions above from Wenatchee.

From the East - Spokane
Drive west on Highway 2 through Reardan, Davenport and Creston to the junction with Highway 174 just west of Wilbur. Turn right at this junction, and proceed NE on 174 through Grand Coulee to Leahy and Bridgeport. Continue west on 173 past Chief Joseph Dam through Bridgeport, cross the Columbia River, to the junction with Highway 97 at Brewster. Turn left and follow Highway 97 down the west side of the Columbia River approximately 7 miles to Pateros. Just after crossing the bridge at Pateros, turn right onto Highway 153 (to 20).

Driving from BC, Canada (Okanogan)
From Osoyoos, cross the border and enter the US via Oroville.  Follow State Route 97 south approximately 48 miles, passing through Omak and Okanogan.  Turn right on Highway 20, and after 0.5 miles, turn left to stay on Hwy 20 over Loup Loup Pass (28 miles).  At the T, turn right on Hwy 20 toward Twisp (2 miles).  Continue another 8 miles past Twisp to Winthrop.

Mountain Pass Road Information
Toll-Free 800-695-7623 or (206) 368-4499
Online at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes
(valid October 15 - March 31)

Interested in Carpooling/Ride Sharing?
Methow Rideshare

Flight Information
Seatac International, Seattle
Spokane International, Spokane
Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee

Most major carriers serve Seatac, and nearly as many serve Spokane.

• To reach The Methow Valley from Seatac, we would suggest flying into Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee via Horizon Air, then rent a car for the 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive to the Valley.
• Charter services available: Catlin Flying Service, Twisp, (509) 997-4602 features a Piper Cherokee Six comfortably seating 5 people.
• Or, rent a car in Seattle and drive over one of the Cascade Mountain passes. From Spokane, rental cars are available for the 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive.
• For private pilots, the Methow Valley State Airport is at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (509) 997-2031 near Winthrop. It is a 5,050 foot long hard-surfaced, lighted facility with fuel service available. FAA Identifier: S52 For more information: www.airnav.com/airport/S52
• Our other local airport, 2S0 located at Twisp, is also available. Visit their website at www.twispairport.com or visit AirNav for more information: www.airnav.com/airport/2S0