Getting to the Wenatchee Valley

Map The Wenatchee Valley, located in the middle of Washington State along the Columbia River, is easily accessible by land and air. Nestled between the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River, arriving in the Valley from any direction is a scenic wonder.

Driving from the west, you’ll encounter spectacular forests as you traverse the mountain passes. As you crest the passes, you’ll usually notice a shift in the weather right at the top, as the west-side clouds, emptied of their rain, give way to east-side sun.

From the east, you’ll travel by some of the country’s richest farmland, then wind your way along the Columbia River gorge, with its ancient rock layers and cold, clear water. And be sure to keep an eye out for the bighorn sheep that inhabit some of the jagged outcroppings.

If you choose to fly into our Valley, you are treated to a spectacular aerial view of jagged mountain peaks or geometric-patterned cropland cut by the snaking paths of rivers. And landing is awe-inspiring as you crest the bordering mountains and drop into the inviting green, orchard-filled valley, with the sister cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee glittering along the banks of the Columbia River.

Traveling By Land

With service from Amtrak, Northwestern Trailways, and in close proximity to I-90, Hwy 2 and Hwy 97, it is easy to visit the Wenatchee Valley any time of the year.

East – West
U.S. Highway 2 provides a westbound connection to Seattle, and an eastbound connection to Spokane.

North – South
U.S. Highway 97 connects Chelan and Okanogan to the north, and Ellensburg, Cle Elum and Yakima to the south.

Southeast
State Route 28 provides direct access to Quincy, Ephrata, and Moses Lake to the southeast.

Once you are in Wenatchee, you can take advantage of a convenient public transportation system called Link Transit with service to Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan, and Waterville.

Driving Directions

From the Puget Sound Area

Snoqualmie Pass to Blewett Pass Route
Approximately 150 miles or 3 hours from downtown Seattle.

Take 1-90 eastbound over Snoqualmie Pass
Exit 85 at Cle Elum towards Wenatchee
Follow Hwy 970/97 north over Blewett Pass to Hwy 2
Turn right onto Hwy 2 then follow the signs to Wenatchee

Stevens Pass Route
Approximately 130 miles or 3 hours from downtown Seattle. This route is predominantly 2-lane highway.

Take I-5 north to 520 east
Exit onto 405 north
Exit onto 522 northeast to Monroe
At Monroe, turn left onto Highway 2 east
Follow Hwy 2 over Stevens Pass, through Leavenworth and into Wenatchee

From Spokane
Approximately 169 miles or 3 hours from downtown Spokane.

Take I-90 westbound
Exit 151 near George
Follow Hwy 281 north to Quincy
At Quincy, take a left onto Hwy 28 west and follow the signs into East Wenatchee/Wenatchee

For more specific directions, visit mapquest.com

By Air

Named after Clyde Pangborn, who with partner Hugh Herndon Jr. completed the first non-stop transpacific airline flight from Misawa Japan to East Wenatchee in 1931, Pangborn Memorial Airport in East Wenatchee is the region’s major commercial airport.

Located just 4 miles from downtown Wenatchee, with daily commercial airline flights to and from Seattle via Horizon Air, freight services, charter air services, rental cars, ground transportation, hotel shuttles, a cafe and more, flying into the Valley is easy. For more information, and flight listings, visit the web site.

Pangborn Memorial Airport
Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air