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Highway 97A: Wenatchee to Chelan, Columbia River, Washington
Photo: Dana Hutchinson · CC BY 3.0 · cropped

Drives Washington Central Washington

Highway 97A: Wenatchee to Chelan

97A · Wenatchee → Chelan

Leisurely33 mi40 min1,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,600 ftOne way
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The drive

US 97A follows the west bank of the Columbia from Wenatchee to Chelan. The drive starts at the US 2 roundabout in Wenatchee and runs north under steep canyon walls, past Rocky Reach Dam and through Entiat.

Beyond Entiat the road climbs over Knapp's Coulee and drops to the foot of Lake Chelan, ending in downtown Chelan. It is a gentle road, with a climb of about 1,900 feet, and about 40 minutes of driving.

It is the Cascade Loop's usual way to Lake Chelan, and the river and its cliffs are the point.

Along the way

  1. Wenatchee (US-2 roundabout)
  2. Entiat
  3. Chelan
Elevation
1,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,600 ft
WenatcheeChelan
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
WenatcheeChelan
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Traffic builds on summer weekends, when many drivers are headed to Lake Chelan.
  • It is a two-lane state highway with towns along it; fuel is easy to find at Wenatchee, Entiat and Chelan.
  • Check the WSDOT travel map for crashes or work zones before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check WSDOT travel map and alerts.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 97A from Wenatchee to Chelan take?

Wenatchee to Chelan on US 97A is 33 miles and takes about 40 min.

Is Highway 97A twisty?

No. US 97A is mostly gentle curves along the Columbia River.

What does Highway 97A pass between Wenatchee and Chelan?

The road passes Rocky Reach Dam and the town of Entiat before reaching Lake Chelan.

Is Highway 97A open in winter?

It is a state highway kept open in winter. Check WSDOT for current conditions.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 97A: Wenatchee to Chelan, from Wenatchee to Chelan