United States Highway 97 runs through the state of Washington, and the North Central Washington region, in a general north to south route. It passes through our region coming from the south over Blewett Pass, joins up and runs concurrently with US Highway 2 from the Big Y, through the Wenatchee area, and up to Orondo, then breaks off on its own again all the way past Chelan, Pateros, Brewster, Malott, Okanogan, Omak, Riverside, Tonasket, and Oroville until it reaches the Canadian Border.
Here are five fun facts about this important highway that helps our region’s transportation needs in daily commuting, tourism, and commercial hauling.
US 2 and US 97 Tag Team
For just short of 28 miles, from the Big Y interchange at Peshastin to the small town of Orondo in Douglas County, US 97 runs concurrently with US 2. US 2 is given label priority in many publications and sources of reference, but technically, US 97 is still there too.
10 River Crossings
Within North Central Washington, US 97 crosses rivers 10 times. It first crosses the Wenatchee River three times, then the Columbia River twice, the Methow River once, and finally the Okanogan River four times.
Originally A Much Lower Number
When the highway extending from Wenatchee to Oroville and the Canadian border was first added to the state highway system, it was known as State Route 10.
Or Nearly 1,700,000 Feet Long!
US 97, from where it enters Washington north of Biggs Jct., Oregon in the south, to where it leaves Washington at the Canadian border north of Oroville is 321.62 miles in length.
A Name Change
When US 97 leaves North Central Washington, as well as the United States, at the border crossing with Canada, it officially becomes British Columbia Highway 97, or BC 97.