Where can I stop on US 97 in Washington state for gas and food? See our guide
Whether you’re driving just a few towns over or across Washington state, road trips are a classic summer travel experience.
Riding by car is only comfortable so long.
At some point, you’ll need to stop, stretch, fill up on gas, get food or drinks or find a bathroom — especially if you’re traveling with children.
Rest stops can offer handy solutions.
Managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation, rest stops in the Evergreen State are located along major highways to offer travelers a safe location to stop.
Many of the rest areas are also part of the state agency’s free coffee program, intended to decrease drowsy drivers.
“Safety rest areas, including WSDOT’s, serve a vital safety purpose of preventing drowsy driving by giving drivers a place to stop, rest and stretch their legs,” Barbara LaBoe with WSDOT Communications told McClatchy Media in 2024.
Where are WSDOT rest stops in Washington state?
According to LaBoe, these rest areas service 24 million users each year.
This map pinpoints each of WSDOT’s rest stops.
Some are multidirectional, while the rest have separate locations for drivers in either direction.
Some of these locations have seasonal schedules. Always check your route and rest stops online before hitting the road.
How are rest stop locations chosen in WA?
Despite the many travel routes in Washington, some highways and interstates have little to no available rest areas.
So how are rest stop locations determined?
There are multiple factors at play, according to information from LaBoe.
Rest stop locations were all determined between 1967 and 2011. Modern funding does not allow for new rest stop construction, just upkeep and maintenance, LaBoe said.
Additionally, location decisions have always followed the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Guide for the Development of New Rest Areas.
Its guidelines include:
- Service locations with effective stopping opportunities every 60 miles on state routes and interstates
- Safety benefit analyses, based on average annual traffic volume, collision data and associated costs
- Effectiveness of location based on additional information on the area
- Feasibility analysis on whether the location could handle the traffic volume
Given these guidelines, WSDOT may pass up on building rest areas in other locations, including larger urban areas with multiple stopping points along the route, less popular scenic byways, camping areas with accommodations through other departments.
How big is US 97 in Washington state?
US 97 is a West Coast interstate stretching from northern California through the Washington-Canada border.
In the Evergreen State, US 97 starts at the Oroville-Osoyoos Border Crossing, and continues south through Omak and down to Brewster.
The route reaches the Chelan area before briefly connecting with US 2 between Dryden and Sunnyslope.
US 97 then heads south through Liberty and down to Ellensburg before connected with Interstate 90 and Interstate 82 toward Yakima.
The route breaks off again around Union Gap, traveling through Toppenish before heading south to Goldendale and reaching the Washington-Oregon border near Maryhill.
It takes more than five hours to drive the Washington state stretch of US 97.
The only WSDOT rest stops along its path are around Pomona, during the stretch where the highway connects with I-82.
There is one rest area there for drivers traveling in each direction.
Where should I stop for gas, food along US 97?
What happens if you’re driving in an area without many rest stops? What if you passed the only one you could’ve used for a significant stretch, and need to find an alternate option?
McClatchy Media has a guide to Washington state routes with long stretches between rest stops, offering potential stops for gas, food, stretching or bathrooms.
Here are a few recommended stopping points:
Oroville-Osoyoos Border Crossing to Omak
- Tonasket Food Mart: 589-501 South Tonasket Ave.
- Hornet’s Nest: 1100 Main St.
- Hometown Pizza, Pasta & Bakery: 1315 Main St.
- Appaloosa: 202 2nd St.
Omak to Dryden
- 12 Tribes Omak Casino Hotel: 28968 US 97
- Exxon: 405 US 97
- Pub 97A: 14481 US 97A
- Agave Azul: 128 Cottage Ave.
Dryden to Thrall
- Love’s Travel Stop: 1512 US 97
- The GrassRoots Grill: 1504 US 97
- Buzz Inn Steakhouse: 2202 South Canyon Road
- Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park: 1081 Umptanum Road
Thrall to Toppenish
- Selah Creek Rest Area, eastbound and westbound
- Wolf Den: 61 West Wapato Road
- JJ’s Birrieria and Antojitos: 633 West First St.
- Dad’s Family Restaurant: 433 South Elm St.
- Sherman Park: West Birchfield Road and 24th Street
Toppenish to Maryhill
- Yakamart Inc.: 111 Fort Road
- Ayutla’s Family Mexican Restaurant: 630 East Simcoe Drive
- Town House Cafe: 1040 East Broadway St. Suite A
- Maryhill Fruit Stand and Orchard: 1 US 97
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Where can I stop on US 97 in Washington state for gas and food? See our guide."