Washington State Route 970

On Thursday, August 7, 2025, we drove Washington State Route 970 on the way from here to there.

State route No. 970:

A state highway to be known as state route number 970 is established as follows:

Beginning at a junction with state route number 90 in the vicinity of Cle Elum, thence northeasterly by way of Teanaway to a junction with state route number 97 in the vicinity of Virden.

Highway 970 begins at this junction with I-90 just east of Cle Elum. When I-90 was opened in 1964, this route became part of US 97, but that only lasted eleven years before 97 was shifted to the cutoff route.


We cross the freeway and the railroad tracks and quickly arrive at the junction with SR 903. Last chance for Cle Elum and Tucquala Meadows!


Highway 970 turns east to parallel the railroad tracks, and yup, it's railroad straight. In Teanaway, the highway turns at this junction with SR 10. The tailwind becomes a crosswind.


For 49 years, this section of the highway was part of US 97. Now it's been Highway 970 for even longer! We drive up the Teanaway River. Lots of small ranches but no livestock in sight. We leave the valley and climb onto a grassy ridge known as Swauk Prairie. Still no livestock, despite a big sign for buffalo meat. Highway 970 drops to Swauk Creek and we're quickly at the junction with US 97. Most of the traffic is on the Seattle-to-Blewett-Pass route, so we don't have a stop sign as the highway ends.

Remnants of history on the Teanaway...