Trucking Laws · Washington · November 3, 2026

Washington State Patrol Plans Two Days of Chain Checks for Truckers on Snoqualmie Pass on Nov. 3 and 4, and Chains Must Be Carried Through April 1

By Big Rig Daily Staff

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is running a two-day chain enforcement emphasis on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass on Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, 2026, according to CDL Life. The patrol says troopers will "educate and enforce" the state's chain-carry requirements for commercial motor vehicles. This report is time sensitive and covers only the two dates named.

What WSP said

Trooper Jeremy Weber, the patrol's public information officer, said in the announcement: "Our main goal is to educate and gain compliance with CMV drivers to carry chains from November 1st to April 1st." Troopers will check that commercial vehicle drivers are carrying the appropriate amount of snow traction devices. ATruckDrivers reports that WSP will post the results on social media once the emphasis is complete. Questions can go to Trooper Weber.

The rule

From Nov. 1 through April 1, vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight must carry tire chains at all times, regardless of road conditions or advisories, on the following Washington routes:

• I-90 between North Bend (mile marker 32) and Ellensburg (mile marker 101).
• I-82 between Ellensburg (Exit 3) and Selah (Exit 26).
• SR-97, between mile marker 145 and the junction, and between the SR-14 junction (mile marker 4) at the Columbia River and Toppenish (mile marker 59).
• SR-2 between Dryden (mile marker 108) and Index (mile marker 36).
• SR-12 between Packwood (mile marker 135) and Naches (mile marker 187).
• SR-410 from Enumclaw to Naches.
• SR-20 between Tonasket (mile marker 262) and Kettle Falls (mile marker 342).
• SR-155 between Omak (mile marker 79) and Nespelem (mile marker 45).
• SR-970 between mile marker 0 and mile marker 10.
• SR-14 from mile marker 18 to the SR-97 junction (mile marker 102).
• SR-542 (Mt. Baker Highway) between mile marker 22.91 and mile marker 57.26.

The two sources describe the routes slightly differently in places, so truckers should check the full list on the WSP or Washington Department of Transportation websites before a trip.

What is not known

The announcement does not give the penalty for a violation, the hours troopers will be at the pass or how many commercial vehicles they expect to check. Big Rig Daily is not guessing at any of that.

Related coverage

Big Rig Daily's earlier report explains that Washington's chain rule took effect Nov. 1. A separate guide covers truck chain laws by state.

Quick facts

• Where: I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, Washington.
• When: Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, 2026.
• Who: Washington State Patrol.
• Rule: vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW carry chains on listed routes, Nov. 1 through April 1.
• Results: WSP says it will post them on social media.

FAQ

Do the chain rules apply only when it is snowing?

No. For the listed routes, the rule requires vehicles over 10,000 pounds to carry chains at all times from Nov. 1 through April 1, regardless of road conditions or advisories.

Is this emphasis only about writing tickets?

WSP says its main goal is to educate and gain compliance, and that troopers will "educate and enforce."

How long does the emphasis run?

Two days, Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, 2026, on I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass.

A question for readers

Truckers who cross Snoqualmie Pass, what is the one item you always check before heading over the mountains in winter?

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