Truckers traveling through Washington State will need to have chains on board starting this weekend.
From November 1 through April 1, vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) must carry tire chains at all times, regardless of road conditions or advisories, on the following routes located in Washington:
- I-90 between North Bend (mile marker 32) and Ellensburg (mile marker 101)
- I-82 between Ellensburg Exit 3 (mile marker 3.00) and Selah Exit 26 (mile marker 26.00)
- SR-97 between (mile marker 145) and Junction
- SR-2 between Dryden (mile marker 108) and Index (mile marker 36)
- SR-12 between Packwood (mile marker 135) and Naches (mile marker 187)
- SR-97 between junction SR-14 (mile marker 4) Columbia River and Toppenish (mile marker 59)
- SR-410 from Enumclaw to Naches
- SR-20 between Tonasket (mile marker 262) and Kettle Falls (mile marker 342)
- SR-155 between Omak (mile marker 79) and Nespelem (mile marker 45)
- SR-970 between (mile marker 0) and (mile marker 10)
- SR-14 (mile marker 18) to Junction 97 (mile marker 102)
- SR-542 Mt Baker Highway between (mile marker 22.91) and (mile marker 57.26)
“You don’t need chains for local deliveries if you stay outside the chain-required areas and don’t cross a mountain pass. WSDOT or WSP may stop vehicles without chains from going into areas where chains are required,” the Washington State Department of Transportation said.
See below for more on the types of chains truckers are required to carry:
- Chains must be two-sided, not plastic, and with sufficient hardened metal.
- All vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds must carry at least two extra tire chains.
- At least one cross-chain must be in contact with the road surface at all times.
- The Washington State Patrol may approve other devices as chains, but the devices must be equivalent to regular chains in performance (cable chains allowable).
See below for diagrams of allowable chain placement for commercial trucks.
Learn more about Washington’s chain requirements for large vehicles here.
