Seattle's Steepest Streets To Avoid During Snow

By Sean Keeley@SeanKeeleyIsMe Jan 10, 2013, 10:16am PST

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By Sean Keeley@SeanKeeleyIsMe Jan 10, 2013, 10:16am PST

As snow begins to fall in Seattle, drivers are beginning to ask themselves the most important question of the season. What streets do I need to avoid if I don't want to end up on YouTube looking like a jackass as my car slides down a hill that I shouldn't have been driving down in the first place?

Below you'll find a map of the ten steepest intersections in the Seattle area according to SDOT. If the snow falls hard and sticks to the road, avoid these spots at all costs. Otherwise...see you on YouTube! (And feel free to point out any other danger spots around town in the comments...)

E Roy Between 25th & 26th

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With a slope of 26.04%, you don't want to come barreling down here during a snowstorm. You'll just keep going whether you want to or not.

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East Roy Street & 25th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112

E Boston btwn Harvard & Broadway

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Crossing under the I-5 here can be a dangerous proposition during snow thanks to a 23.8% grade.

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Harvard Avenue East & East Boston Street, Seattle, WA 98102

NW 60th St. btwn 2nd & 3rd

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Already a dangerous way to cut across thanks to a 28 grade slope, it's downright frightful in bad weather.

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2nd Avenue Northwest & Northwest 60th Street, Seattle, WA 98107

E Highland btwn 24th & 25th

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Between Montlake and Stevens is this tricky incline with a 23.6% downward grade.

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24th Avenue East & East Highland Drive, Seattle, WA 98112

Mercer btwn Melrose & Eastlake

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This Mercer Mess has a steep grade of 22.6%. Avoid at all costs in snow.

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East Mercer Street & Melrose Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102

E Boston btwn Boylston & Harvard

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The lesson you should be learning is don't drive anywhere near an I-5 underpass when it snows in Seattle. You're begging to end up on YouTube.

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Boylston Avenue East & East Boston Street, Seattle, WA 98102

Helen, Ward & Prospect btwn 24th N & 25th

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Between Helen, Ward and Prospect Streets, there's absolutely no reason to drive on any of them between 24th and 25th Avenue. Over 22% grades, all of them.