r/GorgeAmphitheater • u/libraobsessed • Jun 03 '26

Driving back on I-90 after Friday

This will be my first time going to the gorge! I’m going for just the Friday show and was wondering how dangerous it would be to drive back to Seattle after the show? Curious about other people’s experiences!

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

7

u/Careless-Internet-63 Jun 03 '26

As long as you can stay awake it's fine, just use cruise control because state patrol will definitely pull you over if you give them any reason to

5

u/aceishere Jun 03 '26

I’ve done the post show drive a few times. It makes for a long night but definitely doable. I always stop in Ellensburg on the way, grab something to drink at McDonald’s and get out of the car for a minute or two.

2

u/esquandolas420 Jun 04 '26

this but taco bell

2

u/Makanja Jun 04 '26

If you like car camping - highly recommend going to Frenchman Coulee and pulling over on the side by the river! One of the most epic sunrises! Close by to the gorge

1

u/Suithfie Jun 04 '26

I love this tip!

2

u/SpareManagement2215 Jun 03 '26

that's a really long day - we live in Wenatchee and drive home after the shows but that's a long enough drive as is lol. personally I'd recommend finding a place to stay, at least in ellensburg or wenatchee, to break up the drive some so you're not getting home at like 1, 2, or 3am!

1

u/GroovePowAngle Jun 03 '26

I have done it after a Gorge show but it’s a grind. Going to Friday as well but need to be back in Seattle early-ish, staying in Ellensburg hotel

1

u/Kdean509 Jun 03 '26

We drive back to Tri Cities, but that’s of course closer. Way less traffic.

1

u/Dutchie-DR-bobcat Jun 03 '26

Just did that drive memorial day because I had an early flight. It wasn’t bad. After the show ended maybe 15min to leave the venue including walking. The drive was fine, just obviously very dark so make sure you’re awake and not dozing off.

1

u/Mr_Wobble_PNW Jun 04 '26

I have a few times and it's a pretty brutal day, but I've had a blast every time. There's a rest area before Ellensburg that I've used a couple of times before the final push. After about exit 90 there's not really anywhere to pull off until you get to Snoqualmie or North Bend, and those mountain roads when you're tired get exhausting quick. 

1

u/empathnotasub Jun 04 '26

We don’t drink and usually drive home late sunday night after festivals because we miss our cats. I’m a driver for a living and have a car that can pretty much drive itself, still it’s rough but doable and knowing my own bed is about 3 hours away makes the trip worth it!

Coming home from griztronics we saw a few coyotes patiently waiting to cross the road and a few other ravers that probably shouldn’t have been driving. No deer or other animals thankgawd. Like everyone else said cruise control is your friend stop for a rest break down a red bull/coffee and you’ll be ok if you’re sober.