1 Most Scenic Ocean Drive: Pacific Coast Highway. Be sure to pack all the necessities (spare tires, food, water, extra fuel, repair kits, blankets, bug spray, etc.). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Many quaint and historic neighborhood streets in Seattle will have cars parked on both sides of the road, which turns a two-way street into a single-lane street with room for one car at a time. drive for about 6 hours. If you want to explore the parks and gardens that gave the Emerald City its name or catch incredible views from the Space Needle, youll want sunny skies which come with crowds of tourists. --NOT make reservations on the ferry. Key events: Nordic Sl (can fall in July), Hempfest, Emerald City Comic Con, BrasilFest. Also, tune your radio to AM730 to hear traffic updates.Although the northbound wait is generally less than that of the southbound, there is still a pattern of less traffic in the morning, with traffic peaking mid-day and remaining heavier until around 6 p.m. Northbound traffic at the border on weekends tends to peak later and be busiest between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Drive 2 days 0h. The payoff in doing so, however, will make for a scenic and utterly stunning road trip. September has one of the highlights of the cultural calendar:Bumbershoot,a multi-day arts festival that began in the 1970s. What is the best time to drive through Seattle? I-5 S: Follow the signs to I-5 south from wherever you are coming from in the Seattle area. 23rd and Jackson. Explore museums and farmers markets in the shoulder season (April to May and September to October). Read our Privacy Policy. Just have your patience and take deep breaths. Overall, however, Seattle has a pretty low crime rate. The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous drives in the entire world. If you want to drive the Pacific Coast Highway then you can do it in half a day. Drive to Port Angeles, with a stop at Nourish Sequim along the way for a delicious (and gluten free) lunch. Route Option #1: Northern Route on I-94 Distance: 2064 miles Drive time: 30 hours Heres our guide to this trio of treasures. This route will take you through cities like Olympia, Portland, OR, and Sacramento. Drive with your headlights on. Seventh and Pike. Car rental place(s) near the Amtrak Station? Best area to stay with a family in the summer. There is no bridge from Seattle across the Puget Sound. Driving in Seattle, Washington, can be challengingrain, rush-hour traffic, temporary HOV lanes, one-way downtown streets, hard-to-navigate hills, and unexpected toll roads add to the confusion. However, if you cross further west and take Highway 1 into Vancouver you will need to pay a toll when you cross the Port Mann bridge. Seattle is the perfect starting point for many road trips, but nothing is more exciting than going on a Seattle to Yellowstone road trip. If you want to blame somebody, first you have to blame the glaciers, said local historian and Crosscut writer Knute Berger. Only 10 percent of ferry capacity is reserved for stand-by drivers so, depending on the season and time of sailing, you may not get on the ferry. I really would leave as early as humanly possible. Theres always the chance of a late summer early in October before the city gears up for Halloween. North Cascades National Park - North Cascades Highway. Originally Posted by GraciesDaddy Allow me to throw a Molotov here: Atlanta ::starting freewheeling arguments since 1956! Where to Stay: Beverly Hills Hotel , The Peninsula Beverly Hills , Kimpton Hotel Palomar Los . The only route I'd take in a civic is I-10 to LA and up . The SR 520 Floating Bridge goes across Lake Washington in Seattle. There are also 2 borders with Canada. 12 Stunning Scenic Drives in Washington State to Plan To have comfort, a travel cushion and reach your ferry, I would plan on leaving about 4:30am. 3. Most sights stay open, and, with the low season kicking in, some hotels slash their prices to half summer rates. Get answers to your questions about Portland. What a nightmare. Weather you drive from the Lower 48 on the Alaska Highway, bring your vehicle on the Alaska Marine Highway System, or rent a car or RV once you arrive, you will find endless opportunities for road trip adventures in the state. What is Seattle, Washington known for? 5:51 pm arrive in New York City. what is the best time to drive through seattle? stay overnight and leave the next day around 10:00 am. However, this is the best time to get outdoors, into the city's pine-filled parks, or get serious about exploring the islands and waterways of Puget Sound, with whales and . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Friday afternoon is prime rush hour, so avoiding that hot mess would save you some time. 1,300 miles. Even during the shoulder season, the best time to drive through Seattle is between 9am and 4:30pm and later between 7pm and 6:30am to avoid rush hour. Driving from Seattle to Vancouver takes two and a half to to three hours under normal conditions in reasonable traffic and with no excessive lineups at the border. Listen to traffic reports on radio. drive for about 8 hours. what is the best time to drive through seattle? Consider Taking The Alaska Marine Highway. The Best Parks in Seattle Museums in Seattle Theater in Seattle Live Music in Seattle 48 Hours in Seattle Day Trips From Seattle Tours to Take in Seattle Local Food to Try in Seattle Nightlife in Seattle Breweries in Seattle The Best Time to Visit Seattle Seattle Weather & Climate Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Budget Seattle Hotels Seattle to Vancouver Canadian Border Crossing - TripSavvy Here, they will stay due north on Highway 97 before reaching the Yellowhead Highway in Prince George. New York City, New York: Drivers spent an extra 5 days and 3 hours sitting in rush hour traffic which was actually 20 hours less than in 2019. There are two main points of descent when it comes to driving to Alaska. Im thinking around 10-11am?? When the temperatures rise, you can feel the city loosen up and sigh contentedly. Seattle to Alaska Road Trip | Getaway USA - The Arizona Republic ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76357054', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle area by 9:30am, backing up from that point you need to allow 3 hours from Portland to Seattle without traffic, that puts you at 6:30am, right in the middle of the worst traffic/commute hours. Whereas one would take Highway 37 in Prince George, the West Access Route requires that travelers continue on to Dawson Creek via Highway 97. 4 years ago. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Theres always the chance of a late summer early in October before the city gears up for Halloween. The road trip from Los Angeles to Seattle covers between 1,130 and 1,400 miles, depending on the route. 1. For a more scenic drive, leave I-5N at exit 208 for Route 530 passing through Arlington and Darrington. and leave at 5:06 pm. The Boatyard Inn in Langley on Whidbey Island. Of all the months in the year, January historically sees the most discounted prices on plane tickets. Portland - Car or No car, stay downtown or by the airport? Pay attention to weather forecasts. Is it possible to cure sinus permanently? Driving Calculator - Travelmath Basically, we're going to say Seattle is pretty safe - much safer, in fact, compared to other US cities. The Alaska Maritime Highway is also the only way to get to the Alaskan capital, Juneau, by car. 1980 olympic hockey team deaths. Once past Tacoma, you should be OK. You're going to hit congestion around Olympia and Chehalis no matter what time, but mid-day is indeed better. I really appreciate your advice.and will act on it. No matter what you do, it will be a grind. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. We write this tra Ballard Drive-Thru. Eat at the best Starbucks Drive Thru in Waterfront, Seattle, WA. If you head downtown on Sundays, parking is free on the street. your submission status has been updated social security. The Sumas/Huntingdon crossing enters Canada from Washington State by Easterbrook Road turning into Sumas Way and ending up in Abbotsford BC. In short? The answer is yes - and those who have the chance should absolutely consider it. What do I need to know before going to Seattle? After reading all of your replies, we will: --Leave (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Burroughs Mountain: Distance: 9.0 miles / Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet. Complete scenic drive information for Seattle, Washington with maps, photos, route descriptions and more . If you'd rather pay less for accommodation and avoid the crowds in the low season, you'll also need an umbrella. --Prepare a lunch for the border crossing waitand hope we don't have time to eat it. drive for about 4 hours. You could drive to Port Angeles in less time than it takes to get to Blaine, with no Tacoma or Seattle traffic, and no waiting at the border for an unknown number of minutes. For others, the payoff might be worth the effort, especially when the driving is split between multiple people. --Stay on I-5 because we have one stop to make mid-Seattle. Head east on Highway 2 and you're on your way! A perfect short road trip taking you through some amazing nature with plenty of options to stop and break up the journey. I always like to plan for longer road trips so I have plenty of . However, the high season sees peak demand for flights and transport and peak hotel prices. Some travelers passing through Seattle plan their trips from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m to avoid these expected rush hours. I agree with mid morning. Save. Seattle to Bend drive - plan a road trip Your best chance for a clear forecast falls between June and September. Indoor venues such as theaters and music venues come into their own during the low season; the soggy weather is partly responsible for Seattles famously creative music scene and its vibrant coffee shop culture. Atlanta to Seattle drive - plan a road trip 3-4 Days Things You Cant Miss. If you are taking a ferry, it is wise to have a reservation and arrive early to get in line. Key events: Northwest Flower and Garden Show. Still, an umbrella is a sensible precaution. The Anacortes boat threads through the San Juan Islands, can be booked ahead, and you'd avoid the border wait and the risk of missing a Tsawwassen boat. Interstate 90 connects with Interstate 84 near Kennewick, Washington. The other half speeds up, and gets aggressive, and may skid on the roadway. Not trying to be a pill, but what about some other route to Vancouver Island? Seattlehas managed to land itself on a few lists, and it regularly appears among the cities with the worst traffic in the country. Best time to visit Seattle - Lonely Planet However, given all there is to do along this leg, it's worth taking at least an overnight along this segment to see it all. Basic geography tells us that Alaska borders Canada's Yukon territory; travelers can surmise from this that international travel will be part of their journey. From Seattle and SeaTac. With that being said, the trip is one for the books and would make a truly breathtaking addition to anyone's travel bucket list. 2 Most Direct Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: I-5. We only have 2 days to get there; on the way back we have a lot of time. The best part of driving your RV to Alaska is well, driving your RV to Alaska! From baseball to bluegrass, road trips to wildlife, there are endless fantastic experiences to have across the US. Best car for this road trip: SUV. what is the best time to drive through seattle?cartoon characters that wear flannel what is the best time to drive through seattle? and leave at 3:35 pm. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. For one thing, border crossing is much more pleasant on the ferry. Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. While the routes from Seattle to Anchorage are all-weather and well-maintained, Dalton High requires some planning. stay for about 1 hour. Both take roughly the same amount of time, but the ferry costs $22 for a car, drive, and one passenger (it's another $9 per adult and $4.50 per youth/senior). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Plan indoor activities, or bring your skis and head to the nearby mountains. It can get colder than that. The Chicago to Seattle Drive: A Road Trip Guide Tip: 1. The first route on our list requires 22 hours of driving, while the second route requires 25 hours of driving. Salmon bakes, neighborhood street fairs and lazy beach afternoons give August a laid-back feel. stay for about 1 hour. Its a drive-thru Christmas experience that you wont soon forget. Portland Hotel to Newberg to Portland Transportation Questio, Day Trip from Portland to Visit Breweries and Wineries. Because the glaciers retreated from the south to north, they gouged out the landscape and created a landscape where its really hard to travel east-west, he said. Then Route 6 to Tonopah. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. After 6 p.m. on weekdays, many lots offer discounted rates. The Denver to Seattle Road Trip: A Detailed Drive Guide . The only way to do this and save time is to book a flight into Canada, preferably into British Columbia. what is the best time to drive through seattle? People start hitting the waterside attractions in May. Ah, if you'd told us about the Seattle stop, we would have been able to factor that in. The border crossing that is best for you depends on whether your priority is just to make the crossing as quickly as possible or if duty-free shopping is also important.1 . There is also a good bus system, a streetcar that connects downtown to South Lake Union, and a light-rail system that connects Seattle to the airport and makes some stops along the way. Snoqualmie Falls. Long-suffering Seattle commuters also spend far more time than average stuck in traffic congestion. If I wanted to be at the Canadian border by 11:30am, I would leave the Seattle area by 9:30am, backing up from that point you need to allow 3 hours from Portland to Seattle without traffic, that puts you at 6:30am, right in the middle of the worst traffic/commute hours. Northbound I'5 will back up near Corson and again before downtown as the Express lanes are closed going north. Heres how the pass works. Going on a road trip in the USA with a group is fun, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper. The best time to visit the Seattle Space Needle is on clearer days, either early in the morning before the crowds arrive or at sunset, so you can get daytime and nighttime views in one visit. There are four border crossing options when driving between Seattle, WA, to Vancouver, B.C. 3 Cool National Parks Road Trip Through Crater Lake. The distance from Denver to Seattle is about 1400-1500 miles, depending which route you choose. That means driving around 9 am-4:30 pm or after 7 pm. Driving from Seattle to Portland | Enterprise Rent-A-Car Rainy days yesterday. How do I get from the Portland International Airport (PDX) to downtown? stay overnight and leave the next day around 11:00 am. The 1,172-mile road trip from Las Vegas to Seattle takes about 19 hours to drive. While its technically two hrs from downtown to the border the wait times can vary widely during the day. With better weather comes more crowds, however, and this season sees peak demand for flights and transport and peak hotel prices. Health certificates and other vaccine documents for pets, if traveling with any. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. What time does rush hour start in Seattle? Still, to be at the border by 11:30 I would imagine you're going to have to allow for six hours travel time just to play it safe. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93828776', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Portland by 8:50pm -- woo hoo! From Reno to east on I-80 to Fernley, then Route 50 to Fallon. The most straightforward way to get from LA to Seattle is along the I-5. Travel time: 35 minutes. Los Angeles, CA. Starbucks With Drive Thru in Seattle, WA. To help prepare for this massive undertaking, here's a guide of things to know before you head off on . Note that these ferries are not cheap. For one, Hansen said, many Seattle streets are layered with asphalt over concrete over old bricks or cobblestones. It's not a short road trip by any means and may take travelers up to three weeks to complete in full, depending on where they're starting from. So, anyway, you're looking at something like 11 hours of total travel time, i.e. 2. Frequent spottings of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz; you best believe baristas bring their A game in the boss's neighborhood store. Amtrak, the USAs only passenger train operator, announced that it has taken the first steps to upgrade its overnight trains for the first time in 40 years. Naturally, if one's intention is to have a road trip from Seattle to Anchorage, taking a ferry the whole way kinda takes the road-tripping part out of the road trip. Note that it is not open 24 hrs a day. However, if you're traveling to the North Shore or to the east side of Vancouver, this crossing is worth considering. Here's where to start the adventure of a lifetime (and the adventure of two lifetimes if one goes all the way to Prudhoe Bay by the Arctic Ocean). The Drive Weather App illustrates the National Weather Service's forecast showing motorists weather along their route at the expected time they will be at each point on their road trip. All rights reserved. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 2 Week Seattle to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary Without further to do, these are the best stops to make on a Seattle to Los Angeles or a Seattle to San Diego drive! Chuckanut Drive is an old two-lane highway that runs from Interstate 5 just north of Mt. The road trip from Seattle to Portland is around 180 miles and the drive will take you approximately 3 hours. On that day, the company estimates it will send 87% more traffic jam alerts, flag 14% more accidents, identify 23% more road . Portland insiders- a little location help? Take in the beautiful scenery on the drive with snowy mountains in the distance, lush forests lining the highway, and an even chillier bite in the air. Best time to drive to Vancouver BC from Seattle. Rainfall is characteristically a persistent yet light drizzle rather than a deluge, and more than half of these months are completely dry days. Anchorage to Seattle - 4 ways to travel via plane, bus, car - Rome2rio Portland to Seattle with stops at Mt. drive for about 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you may use, Staypineapple, The Maxwell Hotel, Seattle Center. Then the. --Think about going via Port Angeles next time. In either case, give yourself 4-7 days to make the trip at a relaxed pace. Jane McLean is an Ontario-based travel writer who has covered Canada for more than 10 years. Almost all parking in Seattle is pay parking, from street parking to pay lots. Does Colorado have a defensive driving course? This is a long (and dicey) 414-mile stretch of lonely road through the remote Alaskan wilderness (pretty much the definition of "the middle of nowhere"). If you're planning on taking a drive to Alaska there are only a couple direct driving routes that will take you there. I'm looking for something in relative close distance to downtown that is fun to drive on. The most direct route is on the I-5 North; however, consider expanding the drive to include some additional highlights along the way. 4 The Long Way Around Through Idaho and Nevada. From that point, the closest major city is Anchorage. Its not always sunny, but there are plenty of stunning days. drive for about 24 minutes. West Seattle Bridge Program. The best time to visit Seattle for whale watching? However, if you're looking for the "windows-down, sunsets every night" kind of trip, we recommend taking this drive any time between June-September for the best chance of good weather. The northbound lanes into Seattle were chock-a-block past Tacoma. Theres always the possibility of a late summer in the first half of the month, while the start of the shoulder season brings lower prices. Unless youre planning on taking a lot of day trips out of the city, you dont need your own car to enjoy a vacation in Seattle. 4:06 pm Wells (Nevada) stay for about 1 hour. Museum driving options May 01, 2022. Montana Route. 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. stay overnight and leave the next day around 9:00 am. The Perfect Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (25 Stops + 3 Day 1: Fly into Seattle and pick up your rental car (or, leave from Seattle if you live here!). 93 through Kootenay National Park to Radium Hot Springs, thence Cranbrook, Sandpoint, (Lake Pend Orielle *), to Coeur d'Alene (Lake Coeur d'Alene *), thence west in I-90 freeway through Spokane to Seattle. 2. Higher temperatures and prices mark Seattles peak season; youd be wise to book ahead for pretty much everything. Those traveling this route will make their way to the Red Deer Expressway following Calgary, drive north of the Canadian Rockies, and make their way to Dawson Creek and the Alaska Highway in Yukon. The best time for driving in Seattle is outside of rush hour. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. What time does Seattle's stop-and-go, rush-hour traffic typically begin on a Wednesday morning? Best time of day to drive from Seattle to Portland? Expect crowds at famous Seattle sights like Pike Place Market and the Museum of Pop Culture. what is the best time to drive through seattle? Calgary to Banff, then down Hwy. Rainfall is characteristically a persistent yet light drizzle rather than a deluge, and more than half of these months are completely dry days. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Whether you're looking to exploreiconic architectureor dive into a thrivingcraft beer scene, here's our guide on when to visit Seattle. Get cozy in a coffee shop and explore the music scene in the low season (November to March), Polar Bear Plunge, Martin Luther King Jr. Day community events, Chinese New Year (may also fall in February), Moisture Festival, Taste Washington Wine Month, Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, Seattle Scotch and Beer Fest, Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle International Film Festival (could fall in April), Fremont Solstice Fair, Seattle Pride Festival, Seafair, King County Fair, Seattle International Beerfest, Salmon bakes, neighborhood street fairs and, Nordic Sl (can fall in July), Hempfest, Emerald City Comic Con, BrasilFest, Trucktoberfest (may fall in September), Seattle Queer Film Festival, Earshot Jazz Festival (lasts into November), Tasveer South Asian Film Festival, GeekGirlCon, Winterfest, Christmas Ship Parade of Boats, New Years Eve fireworks at the Space Needle, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Highway 101 S: This route takes around 25 hours without stops, and it starts on I-5 through Portland, but then goes over to the coast . day 2 driving 3.5 hours. 12 Scenic Drives in Washington State to Explore. To have comfort, a travel cushion and reach your ferry, I would plan on leaving . The Cascade Loop is a scenic 440-mile drive taking you past some of the most spectacular Washington State scenery! Driving the Pacific Coast Highway in Style. What is the best time to drive through Seattle? Century Link Field (Seahawks and Sounders) and T-Mobile Park (Seattle Mariners) are located just southeast of downtown Seattle between I-5 and Hwy 99 close to the docks and industrial area. Seattle has access to mountains, ocean, a rainforest, desert, city, farmland, islands, and even a volcano. If youre looking to spend some time outdoors in Seattle, take a look at these various outdoor activities around the city and surrounding areas. eat at Katz's Delicatessen. Dont let anyone convince you that this is the worst time to visit Seattle, though. That first trip is what ignited a lifelong passion, and it's one that continues to be fueled through pen and paper Or, in this case, a keyboard and a computer screen. Days 1-2: Seattle to Portland Mount Rainier National Park, Washington 2. You can't predict it during the summer, and while there may be no border wait at that time of day, there could also be an hour wait. How to Plan an Amazing Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip Still interested? You should be able to drive straight through in about 3 hours at normal freeway speeds. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Things You Can't Miss: Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, Silver Lake. This trip is tailor-made for the bold, brave, and adventurous spirits out there. Chuckanut Drive is an old two-lane highway that runs from Interstate 5 just north of Mt. This, too, will require a passport since it still involves crossing an international border (an EDL does not suit the travel requirements for air travel).