Washington State Route 502

On Thursday, October 6, 2016, we drove the entire length of Washington State Route 502, for what it's worth.

RCW 47.17.645
State route No. 502:

A state highway to be known as state route number 502 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 5 in the vicinity north of Vancouver, thence easterly to a junction with state route number 503 at Battle Ground.

SR 502 begins at this interchange with I-5, which was opened in 2008, shortening the route by two miles, since it used to use the next exit south. Far below the overpass, in between the two directions of I-5, is Gee Creek, quietly flowing north.


Just this June, SR 502 was opened anew, wider and safer than before. Now it's a straight divided highway with houses and businesses on either side. Churches, barbecue, tractor stores, stop lights. Three miles from I-5, here's the halfway point of the Battle Ground Highway.


Still a divided highway with stop lights, we continue east. Here's an oddity: a truck-only u-turn signal light -- from the right lane. We enter Battle Ground, parking lot strip malls and suburban housing tracts, built on old farmland. We quickly reach the junction with SR 503, our highway at an end.

Well, that was quick and safe.