Driving Highway 2 Across Washington: My Road Trip Adventure

There’s something special about Highway 2. It’s not the fastest way across Washington—but it’s easily the most rewarding. Starting at the salty edge of Everett and winding through the misty Cascades, past alpine lakes and ancient flood plains, all the way to Spokane’s riverfront parks—this stretch of road feels like a cross-section of the entire state. I’ve driven it more than once, and every trip brings new discoveries—hidden cafés, trailheads I missed the first time, and sun-splashed valleys that look different in every season. Here’s what it’s like to experience Highway 2 through my own eyes.

WASHINGTON TRAVEL

Get Outside and Play USA

3/31/20254 min read

Everett → Monroe (20 miles) – Setting Out

Leaving Everett always feels like a breath of freedom. The hum of city traffic fades, and the road opens to farmland stitched with the Skykomish River.

Stops along the way:

Everett Waterfront: Grab coffee at Jetty Island Espresso before hitting the road.
Monroe Reptile Zoo: Fun roadside curiosity for kids and road-trippers with a sense of humor.

Local eats:

Main Street Café (Monroe) – old-school breakfast spot with perfect hash browns.
Sky River Bakery – grab-and-go pastries for the drive.

Photo tip: The early morning fog drifting across the Skykomish makes for moody valley shots.

Wallace Falls State Park – Waterfall Wake-Up

Just past Gold Bar, the sign for Wallace Falls State Park always calls my name. The trail to Middle Falls is about 5 miles round-trip, with an elevation gain that’ll get your blood pumping—and the 260-foot waterfall at the end makes every step worth it.

Directions: From Monroe, drive 10 miles east on US-2 and turn left on Fifth Street in Gold Bar; follow the signs two miles to the park.

Fees: Discover Pass required ($10 day-use / $30 annual).

Campgrounds: Tent and RV sites available inside the park—perfect for overnight stays.

Photo tip: The best view is from the Middle Falls overlook mid-morning when sunlight hits the mist.

Index & Stevens Pass – Into the Mountains (40 miles)

Tiny Index sits wrapped in forest and granite, a postcard town that feels like time forgot it. Hike up to Lake Serene (8.2 miles round-trip) if you’re up for a challenge—turquoise water mirrors the cliffs of Mount Index.

Then comes Stevens Pass, one of the most scenic drives in the Cascades. Alpine firs line the highway, waterfalls spill down the rock walls, and in winter the pass transforms into a snowy ski paradise.

Directions: From Gold Bar, follow US-2 east through Skykomish, then climb roughly 20 miles to Stevens Pass (4,061 ft).

Stops:

Deception Falls Nature Trail: Just off US-2 before the pass—easy half-mile loop with roaring water.
Stevens Pass Resort: Grab a hot cocoa, ride the chairlift in summer for wildflower views.

Photo tip: Pull over safely near Deception Falls for long-exposure waterfall shots; sunrise over Stevens Pass in fall is pure magic.

Leavenworth – A Bavarian Break (65 miles from Stevens Pass)

As you descend the east side of the Cascades, the world changes—pine forest gives way to sunny orchards and the air smells faintly of apples and hops. Then, like a fairy-tale, Leavenworth appears—half timbered façades, flower boxes, and mountain backdrops straight out of the Alps.

Things to do:

Grab a bratwurst from Munchen Haus and a local brew.
Shop for ornaments at Kris Kringle Shop or wander the Nutcracker Museum.
Visit during festivals: Oktoberfest (October) or Christmas Lighting Festival (December).

Campgrounds: Icicle River RV Resort or Lake Wenatchee State Park (20 minutes west).
Photo tip: Sunset glow on the Icicle Ridge peaks turns the town into a storybook.

Dry Falls & Sun Lakes State Park – Ancient Wonder (110 miles east of Leavenworth)

Beyond Wenatchee, the scenery changes again—the forest thins, the land opens, and you enter the vast Columbia Basin.

Then, out of nowhere, Dry Falls appears: a cliff-rimmed amphitheater that was once a waterfall four times wider and twice as tall as Niagara. Standing there, you can almost feel the ancient floods that carved this land.

Directions: From Coulee City, follow signs on SR-17 to Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park (2 miles south).
Fees: Discover Pass required.
Campgrounds: Spacious sites at Sun Lakes State Park with swimming, showers, and shaded spots.
Local eats: Ice cream at the Sun Lakes store tastes even better after a dusty hike.
Photo tip: Late-day sun lights the cliffs gold—bring a wide lens to capture the scale.

Spokane – Journey’s End (180 miles from Dry Falls)

After miles of open wheat fields and wind-carved canyons, Spokane feels like an oasis. Downtown is built around Riverfront Park, where waterfalls thunder right through the city center.

Directions: Stay on US-2 east straight into downtown Spokane—it becomes Division Street.

Things to do:

Walk Riverfront Park’s Sky Ride for overhead waterfall views.
Visit Manito Park’s rose garden (in season).
Eat at The Elk in Browne’s Addition—one of my favorite post-road-trip dinners.

Campgrounds: Riverside State Park (10 minutes northwest of downtown) offers full hookups near the Spokane River.
Photo tip: Blue hour at Riverfront Park captures the city lights reflecting off the falls.

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My Tips for a Highway 2 Road Trip

Take your time: This isn’t I-90—it’s a journey meant to be savored.
Pack hiking shoes: From Wallace Falls to Lake Serene, the trails are unforgettable.
Explore small towns: Sultan’s bakeries, Index’s riverfront café, and Leavenworth’s festive streets all have character.
Bring a camera: The scenery changes every few hours—from misty forest to desert canyon.
Plan fuel stops: Services get sparse between Leavenworth and Wilbur.

Final Thoughts

Driving Highway 2 is like seeing Washington unfold in chapters. You start in sea-salt air, climb through alpine wilderness, roll past desert cliffs, and end by a roaring river downtown. Every trip reminds me why I love this state—and why I always choose the scenic route, even when it takes longer.

If you’re craving a road trip that offers more than just a destination, take Highway 2. You’ll come home with stories, photos, and a new appreciation for the landscapes that make the Evergreen State so endlessly worth exploring.