Scenic Route from Spokane to Vancouver

[Meggles]

Hi, we are doing a road trip across the USA in May and one leg of our trip is from Spokane to Vancouver. I was hoping someone could advise the most scenic route to take - should we consider doing I-90, US-2 or the Crowsnest Highway/BC 3 route? Thanks

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Each of the three routes you've listed will certainly be scenic and there is simply no way to choose the 'best' among them. Each has different attributes which may appeal to you, and so the only one who can decide which is best for you is you. But let's look at each of them and what they have to offer.

I-90/I-5 is the fastest, and probably the only route that will let you complete the drive in a single day if you plan to make frequent or extended stops to actually enjoy the scenery up close and in person during your drive. But while it will certainly be visually interesting and will offer the safest/surest route in the event of inclement weather, it will be freeway/motorway/autoroute interesting as a drive.

US-2 crosses the region of the Channeled Scablands and so will offer a rugged, stark beauty that would particularly appeal to you if you have an interest in geology. An excellent alternative to taking US-2 all the way across to Everett and then I-5 north would be to fork off at Wilbur and take WA-174 to Coulee Dam and then WA-155 to Omak. A short jog south on US-97 would take you to Okanogan and WA-20 which crosses the Cascades and passes through North Cascades National Park before delivering you to I-5 at Burlington.

The Crowsnest Highway (BC-3) is also a gorgeous route. It would have you spending the most time in Canada and has an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting it, so will offer the most in the way of picturesque towns and tourist services. There are also several medium sized provincial parks along it that offer respite from the road.

So, as noted, there is no bad choice, just the one you make. Whichever road(s) you choose are going to be scenic, so just pick one and enjoy.

AZBuck