Washington State Route 115

On Sunday, April 3, 2011, we drove the length of Washington State Route 115 ... all two miles of it.

RCW 47.17.217
State route No. 115

A state highway to be known as state route number 115 is established as follows:

Beginning at Ocean Shores thence in an easterly and northerly direction by the most feasible route to a junction with state route number 109 in the vicinity south of Ocean City.

After driving most of a mile along the beach, I turned inland and found myself here, the southern end of SR 115. Most of the traffic is from the right, which is the broad boulevard entrance to the city of Ocean Shores. Know your tsunami evacuation route! How far can you get in fifteen minutes? Will there be a traffic jam? Should you instead run to the top floor of the nearby three-story hotel? Luckily, we didn't have to experience any of that in our short visit, but it's always in the back of my mind.


We soon turn northward, as we are still on a narrow peninsula. After a mile, this is the halfway point of the highway. Very scenic.


After another mile, we have passed the Quinault Tribe casino and reached the end of SR 115. This is the junction with SR 109. Left to "Ocean Beaches" and right to "Hoquiam." We just came from the beaches, so we head for Hoquiam ... and beyond!

Next time you're in the area, go drive off the end of SR 115 onto the beach, park your car before the sand turns wet, and walk to the edge of the ocean. Stand there for a while. Watch the waves crashing and churning. Watch the seagulls soar. Watch the kids and dogs bounding along the sand. Watch the kites fly high. Listen to the wind. But watch out for the tide coming in...