best route to travel from Seattle airport to Port Angeles? Question: we're not sure if a ferry would be faster or just to drive to port angeles from the airport, whatever would be easier(ive been told the traffic is pretty bad). also how much would a ferry ride be for 2 adults and mid-sized passanger car
Answer:
Rent a car at Sea-Tac airport. Drive it from the airport onto I-5 northbound into Seattle. As you near the city, take exit 164B, This is the 4th Ave. and Safeco field exit. The off ramp goes to 4th Ave. Take a right onto 4th, then go one block to Royal Brougham. Turn right and head for 4-5 blocks (driving between Safeco field and the new Seahawk stadium) to Alaskan Way on the waterfront. Take another right on to Alaskan Way. You're heading to the Washington State Ferry Colman Docks at Pier 52. It's about 1.2 miles north. Look for overhead signage. There is a special left hand turn lane specifically for vehicle traffic into the toll plaza.
At the Colman Docks on the waterfront in downtown Seattle you will choose the Winslow ferry to Bainbridge Island. When you drive off the ferry, you will be on State Route 305. Follow the highway to Poulsbo and get on State Route 3 heading to the Hood Canal Bridge. Turn on Highway 104 over the Hood Canal Bridge. Follow the highway until it merges with Highway 101. Highway 101 will take you to Port Angeles.
I'm not aware of a ferry that will take you directly from Seattle to Port Angeles. The Victoria Clipper makes a daily run from Seattle to Victoria, and then there's a ferry in Victoria that goes to Port Angeles. However, that's really a far stretch out of your way, it would take a very long time and would be very costly.
Your best bet is to use the directions I've provided. You can get ferry schedules and fare information from the Washington Department of Transportation website at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
The fares are $14.45 for a car and driver and $6.70 per adult passenger, so it will run you $21.15 for the ferry trip. It will be less if you or your passenger are over the age of 64, or if your passenger is younger than 18.
Also, if you want to stay out of traffic problems, avoid the peak times, such as between 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m and 4 p.m. to about 6:30 p.m.
If you encounter traffic, it will be between Sea-Tac and the ferry docks in downtown Seattle. After you get off the ferry at Bainbridge Island, you shouldn't have problems with traffic.
Depending on traffic, it will probably take you about 20 to 30 minutes to get from Sea-Tac to the ferry dock. Plan on arriving about 30 minutes in advance of loading onto the ferry. It will take about 35 minutes to cross Puget Sound on the ferry.
Once you get onto Bainbridge Island, it's about 72 miles to Port Angeles. It will likely take you about an hour and 40 minutes. So in total, plan on about a 2 1/2 hour to 3 hour trip from Sea-Tac airport to Port Angeles.
I hope that helps on your trip. I've lived in Washington state for 17 years and have traveled all over the state, so I know it pretty well. This is the way I would go if I were coming from the airport.
Good luck!
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