Drive time from Vancouver to Seattle?
#1
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AAMM & ExPlat, Marriott lifetime Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 23,503
Drive time from Vancouver to Seattle?
I can imagine that customs may slow one down, but what is a conservative drive time allowance for the Vancouver to Seattle route?
I also assume that taking 99 south out of Vancouver which becomes 5 in the states is the quickest route?
I also assume that taking 99 south out of Vancouver which becomes 5 in the states is the quickest route?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,799
3 hrs is a good time to expect although 4-5 would be more appropriate if you're planning for an event or flight at the other end. Assuming no heavy traffic, it's about 30-45 minutes from Vancouver to the border and then 1 1/2 hrs to downtown Seattle once you cross the border.
The route you stated is the best route: head south on Oak Street which turns into 99 which brings you to the border.
Border waits depends on time of day and day of week. Southbound, weekends (starting Friday afternoon) are generally the worse times to cross. Early mornings or late at night always seem to be the best.
There are some alternative routes. There are two crossings next to each other with the truck crossing sometimes faster. For this, you take the 8th Avenue East exit (West takes you to White Rock), go to the 1st traffic lights (176th street or is it Avenue?) and turn right. Once you cross the border, go straight and it feeds onto I-5.
The route you stated is the best route: head south on Oak Street which turns into 99 which brings you to the border.
Border waits depends on time of day and day of week. Southbound, weekends (starting Friday afternoon) are generally the worse times to cross. Early mornings or late at night always seem to be the best.
There are some alternative routes. There are two crossings next to each other with the truck crossing sometimes faster. For this, you take the 8th Avenue East exit (West takes you to White Rock), go to the 1st traffic lights (176th street or is it Avenue?) and turn right. Once you cross the border, go straight and it feeds onto I-5.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Posts: 331
Hwy 99 is the best route south. However, listen to the radio traffic reports on the trip south - they will announce if Peace Arch (the main Hwy 99 crossing) is backing up. If that happens, watch for 16th or 8th Avenue just before the border, and turn left, then go a couple of miles east to 176th Street, then turn South. This crossing is not signed as such, at least not very well, but you should be able to see it on the rental car maps. The crossing is referred to as Aldergrove, and the road South merges back to I-5. Late last year when I came across, the wait at Peace Arch was 2 hours, the truck crossing was over an hour, and Aldergrove was 10 minutes. Just be alert to the radio traffic reports, and enjoy the trip.
[This message has been edited by fcrit (edited 04-27-2002).]
[This message has been edited by fcrit (edited 04-27-2002).]
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,799
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fcrit:
The crossing is referred to as Aldergrove, and the road South merges back to I-5. Late last year when I came across, the wait at Peace Arch was 2 hours, the truck crossing was over an hour, and Aldergrove was 10 minutes. Just be alert to the radio traffic reports, and enjoy the trip.</font>
The crossing is referred to as Aldergrove, and the road South merges back to I-5. Late last year when I came across, the wait at Peace Arch was 2 hours, the truck crossing was over an hour, and Aldergrove was 10 minutes. Just be alert to the radio traffic reports, and enjoy the trip.</font>
The road takes you south through Lynden allt he way to Bellingham (Coast Meridian) and you get on I-5 there.
This site gives you a view although it's hard to tell the Peace Arch southbound crossing situation.
http://www.borderlineups.com/allview.htm
This site shows the crossing as WA543 and BC 15.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/nort...ic/bordercams/
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YEG/SFO
Programs: AC, UA, HH, MR, and the other usual suspects
Posts: 360
Will you have your own car or will you be renting? If you rent, make certain that the rental company knows you are taking the car across the border, to prevent problems once you get to the checkpoint.
It's a beautiful drive if the weather is nice and clear. It can be a slog if it is raining heavily (or worse, snowing).
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: KIX, ITM, UKB, YVR
Programs: Star Alliance - AC
Posts: 2,356
Fly Fly Fly
In the winter, it gets pretty wet or slippery just south of Bellingham.
If the weather is great, it is a pretty drive.
You did mention money is not an issue then fly.
I totalled my car just south of Bellingham with a freak snow and wind storm.
In the winter, it gets pretty wet or slippery just south of Bellingham.
If the weather is great, it is a pretty drive.
You did mention money is not an issue then fly.
I totalled my car just south of Bellingham with a freak snow and wind storm.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Bonvoy, World of Hyatt
Posts: 145
Bit of an error but you're forgiven since you're not a local. The Aldergrove crossing is quite a bit farther east. It's south of Langley so some 20-25 minutes drive along slow roads (need to make turns as it's not continous). I think the street is 232nd or so. That border can get backed up if there's heavy use.
The road takes you south through Lynden allt he way to Bellingham (Coast Meridian) and you get on I-5 there.
This site gives you a view although it's hard to tell the Peace Arch southbound crossing situation.
http://www.borderlineups.com/allview.htm
This site shows the crossing as WA543 and BC 15.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/nort...ic/bordercams/
The road takes you south through Lynden allt he way to Bellingham (Coast Meridian) and you get on I-5 there.
This site gives you a view although it's hard to tell the Peace Arch southbound crossing situation.
http://www.borderlineups.com/allview.htm
This site shows the crossing as WA543 and BC 15.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/regions/nort...ic/bordercams/
I live in Bellingham. The Peace Arch is the main crossing, the truck crossing is sometimes quicker. It depends what time of the day you're crossing. Don't take the Aldergrove crossing. The 25 minutes it takes to drive east will negate any time you make up with a shorter wait in line.
If the weather were nice, I'd say drive from Seattle to Vancouver. The traffic is light on Interstate-5 on Sundays, and Chuckanut Drive -- a beautiful scenic route along the coast that only adds about 15 minutes to your drive time -- is well worth it when it's sunny and clear. We don't expect to have that kind of weather around here for a few more months
As for the roads near Bellingham; they're no wetter than anywhere else in the Northwest.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan, Bonvoy, World of Hyatt
Posts: 145
Chuckanute Drive is SR 11. It's a 21-mile road in Whatcom and Skagit counties. If you hop off and back on Interstate 5, it will add about 20 minutes to your trip.
Here are a couple sites with maps and photos.
http://www.chuckanutdrive.com/
http://www.experiencewashington.com/...ay.aspx?bwid=2
#13
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
driving from Seattle to Whistler in mid-April
My friend and I are driving to Whistler from Seattle in mid-April. Do we need 4WD, or are we fine with a regular cheap rental? We're from the east coast in the US and don't know what to expect that time of year.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
thanks!
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.