Seattle to Penticton - Best Route?

Triathlon Forum
1

I figure there are a ton of folks doing IMC next month. We’re flying into Seattle and driving over to Penticton. What’s the best route? We’re not looking for scenery, road side attractions, etc. We just want to get there. The map shows what appear to be two basic routes:

  1. Take 5 north to BC and then start heading east. Familiar with this route as we flew into Vancouver and drove in 2010.

  2. Take 90 east and then 97 north to Penticon. This looks pretty straightforward but seems like 90 takes you a ways south.

Which route is best? Are there others I’m seeing that are better (read faster)? Which route has the better border crossing?

If it matters we’re a family of 5 in a rental mini-van.

2

90 from SeaTac will be the fastest - Speed Limit is set at 70 except over Snoqualmie Pass, multiple lanes for passing. Once you hit 97 back to 60 except through the small towns. But traffic is spotty and passing is easy here. {EDIT} Border crossing is much more quiet here depending on how many athletes are crossing with you at the same time.

Other option is the 5 to the 405 to Highway 2 up over 2 past Steven’s Pass looks more direct but single lane speed limit is 60 entire way can get stuck behind big rigs doing a whopping 45. Road is windy passing lanes are scattered.

Both go up over the mountain passes, both have scenery. Choose 90 if you are looking for speed.

3

The Osoyoos crossing is small and has never been crowded for me. There will be a line at the Peace Arch (i-5) guaranteed. I like the drive through eastern Washington, so that is the way I’ve gone. You can go over Steven’s Pass on Hwy 2 to get to 97 or you can go over Washington Pass on Hwy 20 to 97 which is the best scenic route. Both are preferable to i-90 when they’re open. Not for speed, but for a nice drive. There is no “fast” way anyway, so might as well have scenery.

4

Thanks. Looks like 90 is the way to go. I was leaning that way but wasn’t sure.

5

I went up to Penticton one way and came back the other. I feel that both routes have merits. For me, having never been there before, I appreciated seeing twice the terrain. The drive from Vancouver east over the mountains into the Ok. valley is pretty spectacular…I recommend it if you have the time. I didn’t feel like going north and then east was a terrible drive, but we did spend a night in Vancouver on the way up.

My $0.02…

mm