As long as you drive safe and use common sense, you’ll be fine. I grew up in Spokane and made the trip over the pass many times for the holidays now that I live west of the Cascades. Mainly in small FWD hatchbacks or sedans too. The pass is typically well maintained. Just watch the forecasts for heavy snow and bring a set of chains that fit your tires just in case. Also a roadside emergency kit, which you should have regardless. Aim for driving the pass in the day for visibility if it’s your first time doing it.
The only sketchy situation I’ve had on that stretch of I-90 was with a sudden, heavy snowfall in Vantage going downhill before the bridge over the Columbia River which was totally my fault. It was well forecasted but I ignored it in a rush to get back to the west side.
A good rule of thumb is if you don’t see anyone else on the road, you probably shouldn’t be on it either.
Klonothan t1_j4atb7x wrote
Reply to Driving from Spokane to Seattle by [deleted]
As long as you drive safe and use common sense, you’ll be fine. I grew up in Spokane and made the trip over the pass many times for the holidays now that I live west of the Cascades. Mainly in small FWD hatchbacks or sedans too. The pass is typically well maintained. Just watch the forecasts for heavy snow and bring a set of chains that fit your tires just in case. Also a roadside emergency kit, which you should have regardless. Aim for driving the pass in the day for visibility if it’s your first time doing it.
The only sketchy situation I’ve had on that stretch of I-90 was with a sudden, heavy snowfall in Vantage going downhill before the bridge over the Columbia River which was totally my fault. It was well forecasted but I ignored it in a rush to get back to the west side.
A good rule of thumb is if you don’t see anyone else on the road, you probably shouldn’t be on it either.