HORRIBLE TRAFFIC from Southern Washington to Seattle metro (Tacoma, Kent: hotel, live)

[pathrunner]

Yesterday I drove from Portland, Oregon to Kent, Washington for an event.

I've decided I will never travel to Washington again. Until Washington does something about the HORRIBLE traffic problem and the road signs (LACK THEREOF) I pity those who live anywhere in Western Washington.

What is supposed to be a 2:45 minute drive without stops (3 hours with a 15-min stop) turned into a 5 hour nightmare of crawling up I-5 for 88 miles from Winlock to Kent. I left an extra hour and planned to take Hwy 18 to 167 to Kent but I was an hour late.

People were stranded by the side of the road with their hoods up. Thankfully I had my thermostat replaced last year, but I didn't dare turn on my air conditioner. It was 95 degrees, and the sun was beating on the left side of my vehicle.

When I finally turned on to Hwy 161 toward Puyallup - specifically to avoid any more traffic - there was no highway sign for 4 miles to let me know I was on the right road. (1 mile after turning off I-5 there is a Y in the road, no indication of which way is 161/167!! No street sign and no highway sign for miles telling you what road you're on)

I truly pity Washingtonians. You have taken the title from Los Angeles and that's been true for many years. When I got to the event, I asked the guy why Washington has too few and confusing road signs. He said"we suffer too."

When I drove home, it took 2 hrs 45 mins. like it was supposed to, but traffic was still very heavy for the majority of the route (8:45-11:45pm)

One would never believe the economy is bad judging by the number of high-end vehicles, boats, RV's etc. on the road - all spending money on gas, food, lodging, events and miscellaneous items.

[Inkpoe]

Awesome. Come back again.

(Though you should've just asked before, its better to get on 161 via 512, not i5-- that wasn't a good shortcut.)

[pathrunner]

I know that. You had to have been there. And asking before? The WHOLE POINT was to avoid any more traffic.

Road maps are supposed to show all the routes, and states are supposed to adequately sign the roads - which is the main subject of this thread (along with the traffic problem). And I should have known some smart-arse would reply first. I'm sure there will be more.

[Inkpoe]

Oh, don't get me wrong.

As much as I love (NE and DT) Tacoma, I actually agree that Tacoma needs to get the ball rolling on updating and better redefining their street signs. But it isn't reflective of the whole state. Some areas of Tacoma show no rhyme and reason in urban planning-- I myself gotten very frustrated driving through Tacoma because I couldn't find the destinations-- due to bad signs.

And yesterday was too much a nice day to stay inside, of course everyone was out. We don't even get to use the A/C in our cars that often.

I am sorry that it was a bad trip, W. WA is otherwise a beautiful area to check out.

[RottenChester]

To the OP:

What did you expect on a warm, sunny Saturday in August? That people weren't going to be out and about. I do agree with you that there needs to be more road signs.

[eskercurve]

I think that the roads here do need to be improved. However, remember that this is an outdoor mecca and tons of people flood the roads in the summer. Summers here are SHORT and people make the best out of it.

It truly is disappointing ... if this is your first time, it's best to arrive a day early, book a hotel or motel, or get a campground, and avoid traffic. I't something this midwesterner has learned to do. Give it another shot. I promise with a little forward planning, it will be alright

And do make sure that your car is in good condition LOL. Don't be one of those people stranded. Take care!

[HandsUpThumbsDown]

Wow, OP - chill out some!

[70Ford]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

I think that the roads here do need to be improved. However, remember that this is an outdoor mecca and tons of people flood the roads in the summer. Summers here are SHORT and people make the best out of it.

It truly is disappointing ... if this is your first time, it's best to arrive a day early, book a hotel or motel, or get a campground, and avoid traffic. I't something this midwesterner has learned to do. Give it another shot. I promise with a little forward planning, it will be alright

And do make sure that your car is in good condition LOL. Don't be one of those people stranded. Take care!

Best advice in the thread. Try to arrive close to your destination ~ 24 hours in advance. That way you have plenty of time to arrive at your destination in time.

All joking aside, in Seattle, I typically - depending on where I'm driving, especially at rush hour - arrive 15 minutes to 45 minutes early. I budget that much extra time. Yeah, it IS a waste of time. But, that's the Seattle way.

To pathrunner:

No offense but your thread subject was an absolute waste of time on city-data and very childish.

So what there was a lot of traffic when you came here? Suck it up, and realize traffic problem can happen anywhere, including Washington and Oregon.

I dont know you were so bitter about this entire state just because you dealt with some traffic.

I dont understand how someone can get so bitter out of something like that.

[BB_206]

Welcome to the big city!