Washington road conditions right now

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Driving across Washington

I-5 runs the length of the state, about 276 miles from the Oregon border through Vancouver, Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle up to the Canadian border. I-90 crosses from Seattle east over Snoqualmie Pass toward the Idaho line, nearly 300 miles. I-405 is the Eastside bypass around Lake Washington through Bellevue and Renton. US-2 climbs over Stevens Pass, US-97 runs north to south east of the Cascades, and US-101 loops the Olympic Peninsula.

What the season does to Washington's highways

Washington closes highways more than most states. Snoqualmie Pass, around mile marker 52 on I-90, and Stevens Pass on US-2 shut for hours during winter storms and avalanche control. SR-20, the North Cascades Highway, closes across a long stretch every winter and reopens in spring, and Chinook and Cayuse passes close seasonally too. WSDOT posts chain requirements for each direction and every closure by milepost.

Washington facts, with sources

• Crash clearance. From September 25, 2026 to October 16, 2026, 343 crashes on the WSDOT feed were seen on at least two reads. A crash stayed posted a median of 47 min, and for the middle half it was between 16 min and 1 hr 20 min. Each DOT decides when to post and remove a crash, so compare Washington with Washington over time, not with other states. How the numbers are made.
• Chain law. WSDOT posts traction and chain requirements by pass and direction. Posted chain controls depend on conditions. Vehicles over 10,000 lb GVWR must also carry chains on specified routes from November 1 through April 1. Washington chain law, with sources.
• Chains by pass. Hours each Washington pass was under a traction or chain requirement this season, counted from WSDOT pass reports. How often chains are required on Washington passes.
• Sleeping at a rest area. Yes, up to 8 hours in any 24-hour period. Source: RCW 47.38.020. Washington rest area rules.
• Roads that close for winter. North Cascades Highway: Closing date varies by year. The 2025 closure was Dec. 4. Chinook Pass: Usually closes mid-November and reopens late May. Cayuse Pass: Usually closes mid-November and reopens late May. 1 more is listed. Seasonal closures in Washington.

Before a Washington road trip

1. Check the map above for anything red on your route, then open WSDOT for the DOT's own detour and restriction text.
2. Look at the road. The Washington cameras show the pavement itself, and most carry the mile marker.
3. If the route crosses Snoqualmie Pass, Stevens Pass and Crystal Mountain (SR-410), read the pass page for the summit cameras, snow depth and chain rules.
4. For the long haul, the I-5 and I-90 corridor pages carry alerts for every state the route crosses, not only Washington.
5. Know how to say where you are. Dispatch, 911 and tow companies ask for the route, the direction and the mile marker. How to report your location on the highway.
6. Carry the app. The mile marker works offline in all 50 states, and the same WSDOT alerts show on your route as you drive.

What October looked like

In October 2026, MileCheck's archive of the WSDOT feed held 1,100 unique reports, including 21 closure reports, 58 crash reports and 956 work-zone reports. The routes with the most reports were I-405, I-5 and I-90. Counts reflect what the feed publishes, so a state whose DOT posts only closures shows only closures. Read the October Highway Report.

Questions, answered

Other states: road conditions by state · US closures map · Mountain passes · Interstate corridors · Cameras