Drive time from Vancouver to Seattle?
#16
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Discoverist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,399
Shouldn't Be A Problem
Thanks for the info on the car.^
Is there anything we need to know about crossing the border in a rental car? I've got a passport and my friend is getting his. We just don't want to be caught off guard when we get up there, because staying in the US isn't as exciting as going to Whistler.
Is there anything we need to know about crossing the border in a rental car? I've got a passport and my friend is getting his. We just don't want to be caught off guard when we get up there, because staying in the US isn't as exciting as going to Whistler.
#17
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, UA 1P
Posts: 217
You don't need 4wd to get to Whistler under normal weather conditions. I rent at SEA and drive to Vancouver about 12 - 15 times a year and never have had a problem. Sometimes the border agent, on either side, asks to see the rental agreement.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,751
There's hardly ever snow on the ground (except, exceptionally, for the past month) let alone the road. Snow in March is possible but very unlikely.
Parking could be a challenge depending on how much you want to pay. There's always the private offstreet lots but these are pricey. Metered street parking is generally restricted to 2 hours or less and can run up to $4/hr (if not more) and is in effect until 8pm daily. There are also rush hour parking restrictions on main thoroughfares so look carefully at the signs.
Parking could be a challenge depending on how much you want to pay. There's always the private offstreet lots but these are pricey. Metered street parking is generally restricted to 2 hours or less and can run up to $4/hr (if not more) and is in effect until 8pm daily. There are also rush hour parking restrictions on main thoroughfares so look carefully at the signs.
#21
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
If the weather is nice, a good detour along the way is Chuckanut drive. The views are great:
http://www.chuckanutdrive.com/entrance.html
No more difficult than any other city, certainly easier than San Francisco or Manhattan. I would just use a pay-lot. You'll pay anything from $15 to $25 per day, depending on where you wind up.
#22
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 60
Pardon for resurrecting this old thread but we are thinking of flying into Seattle in mid-Sept and spending a day or two in the city before driving up to Vancouver for our cruise (Millenium Wine Cruise, yipee!!).
Our other option is to drive to LAX (we live in San Diego) and then fly directly to YVR, skipping Seattle entirely this time. Given that I HATE LAX, I am leaning toward flying to Seattle from San Diego and then driving North from there.
Does about 3 hours allow for enough time to drive to YVR? Is it at all scenic? Is the weather still ok in mid-Sept?
Thanks for any and all advice! Katherine
Our other option is to drive to LAX (we live in San Diego) and then fly directly to YVR, skipping Seattle entirely this time. Given that I HATE LAX, I am leaning toward flying to Seattle from San Diego and then driving North from there.
Does about 3 hours allow for enough time to drive to YVR? Is it at all scenic? Is the weather still ok in mid-Sept?
Thanks for any and all advice! Katherine
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,751
No more glaciers cutting across the highway so you should be o.k., though watch out for polar bears and penguins crossing the road (being facetious - the weather will either be rain, cloudy or sunshine and mild - weather is generally not a factor for driving except for a few weeks in total every decade).
3hrs driving time outside of rush hour assuming no wait at the border. That time is only good for leaving SEA after 9pm IMO. Only scenery will be Mt Baker on clear day. Not much otherwise.
Bear in mind onstreet meter parking in the City of Vancouver now runs until 10pm (as 8pm before) every day of the week, including holidays, and can be very expensive (I've seen $5/hr and this increased beginning of the year).
3hrs driving time outside of rush hour assuming no wait at the border. That time is only good for leaving SEA after 9pm IMO. Only scenery will be Mt Baker on clear day. Not much otherwise.
Bear in mind onstreet meter parking in the City of Vancouver now runs until 10pm (as 8pm before) every day of the week, including holidays, and can be very expensive (I've seen $5/hr and this increased beginning of the year).
#24
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
#25
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
Yes
Meh - Not really that scenic, although if you take Chuckanut drive...
http://chuckanutdrive.com/
...you'll see some beautiful scenery. Chuckanut will add about a half-hour or so though.
If you don't take Chuckanut it's mostly just freeway cutting across flat farmland.
Yes.
Meh - Not really that scenic, although if you take Chuckanut drive...
http://chuckanutdrive.com/
...you'll see some beautiful scenery. Chuckanut will add about a half-hour or so though.
If you don't take Chuckanut it's mostly just freeway cutting across flat farmland.
Yes.
#27
Join Date: May 2002
Location: In the home of the "brave"?
Programs: Whatever will get me out of Y and into C or F!
Posts: 3,748
During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games? I don't anyone can tell you for certain. Just ask the Blaine, WA Chamber of Commerce. They thought having the Olympics would be a boon to them also, but since the border could take 6 hours to pass each way, no one wants to stay in their hotels.
#28
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sacramento, CA / SF Bay Area
Posts: 37
During the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games? I don't anyone can tell you for certain. Just ask the Blaine, WA Chamber of Commerce. They thought having the Olympics would be a boon to them also, but since the border could take 6 hours to pass each way, no one wants to stay in their hotels.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,751
I have to run down south of the border tomorrow to pick up a few parcels. Will use Nexus but I'll let you know how long the lines are either way.
Reportedly minimal southbound right now.
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
and similarly northbound
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html
Reportedly minimal southbound right now.
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
and similarly northbound
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,751
Minimal waits (lightest I have seen in a long time) both south and northbound between 1 and 145 today. All inspection lanes northbound open so I guess they're expecting a surge in traffic later.