Best commute from Seattle to Bothell (Google) (Kirkland, Woodinville: neighborhood, construction)

[mrman78]

Hi all,

Well all the waiting seems to be paying off as I've been finding quite a few jobs recently and (gasp!) actually getting call-backs while still being in Texas. I'm guessing now it's closer to my move date and they know I'm moving there anyway, interest is renewed lol.

So I finally got an in-person interview with Google that fits in nicely with my job/apt hunting trip next month! Now, not to get too ahead of myself, but if I did get this job what would be the best route to take from Seattle proper? I want to get an idea of possible neighbourhoods to focus my apt search in and make good use of my time there in case this becomes a reality. I have been focusing on QA, Ballard and Green Lake so far. Quickly looking at Google maps (oh the irony!), it looks like 522 would be the quickest option. I-5 is also an option, but seems out of the way and I've heard it's crazy lol.

Any help would be appreciated! Maybe I won't have to move without a job after all, but at least I'm still prepared if I have to!

[Inkpoe]

You can use i5, then get off at 145th st., which connects to 522. This route would be "faster" in the sense that you're not slowing down in Lake City and on Lake City Way (lower speed limit and lots of surface traffic/lights). However, there isn't a easier way home... you will experience lots of traffic especially the closer you get to Proper Seattle.

But given that 520 tolling has increased the usage of 522/NBi5... If you do choose to live QA, Ballard, Green Lake... Use hwy 99 until 145th st. and get on 522 from there.

[sean98125]

You don't want to live in Ballard or Queen Anne if you work at Google in Bothell. You'll have a miserable commute and little or no public transportation options. Green Lake wouldn't be horrible, but you'd still have a long slog to get to work.

Have you taken a look at Kirkland?

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by sean98125

You don't want to live in Ballard or Queen Anne if you work at Google in Bothell. You'll have a miserable commute and little or no public transportation options. Green Lake wouldn't be horrible, but you'd still have a long slog to get to work.

Have you taken a look at Kirkland?

I agree that traffic isn't going to be easy and that definitely from Kirkland it would be easier to get to Bothell. There are just going to be some people that want to live in Seattle proper, just for the experience of it-- regardless of where they work.

However... There is definitely buses going that way, and it's a constant stream.

(From DT Seattle) SoundTransit - 522 | Woodinville - Seattle

Should he lives somewhere closer to Greenlake, he can take bus #48 ( Metro Route 48 Timetable, Weekday ) to U-District, then take 72 ( Metro Route 72 Timetable, Weekday ) to Lake City Way. And from there he can catch 522.

OR... he could take 68 to Northgate (Metro Route 68 Timetable, Weekday ) from Greenlake. And from Northgate, he can take 372 ( Metro Route 372 Timetable, Weekday ).

Of course, he'd be require to walk the rest of the way from the stop to his destination.

[mrman78]

Appreciate the feedback. Yeah, I don't love commuting but I really don't love living somewhere I don't like, so I'd pick the commute. From Green Lake it says it's about 11 miles to Bothell via 522. Right now, that's similar to my commute in Houston on a similar type road with lots of lights, etc. so I'm pretty used to that type of commute already. I guess I'll check ou the suggested routes when I'm up there later this month. Thanks again!

[west seattle gal]

You can get from Seattle to Bothell without using the highway. Instead, take Lake City Way in the NE quadrant, which is easily accessed from any NE quadrant neighborhood or Green Lake via lesser used roads. I don't think it's a bad commute at all. There's a bit of a bottleneck as one is approaching Bothell due to construction currently, but it's nothing compared to the highways.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by west seattle gal

You can get from Seattle to Bothell without using the highway. Instead, take Lake City Way in the NE quadrant, which is easily accessed from any NE quadrant neighborhood or Green Lake via lesser used roads. I don't think it's a bad commute at all. There's a bit of a bottleneck as one is approaching Bothell due to construction currently, but it's nothing compared to the highways.

I would have agreed, but have you tried Lake City Way at commute time since the bridge toll? Total gridlock the whole way. I'd prefer I5 north to 405 South. Regardless, your commute will be short in miles but long in time. If you are set on Seattle, try different routes to see which you like best when you get here. If you look at the Roosevelt/Northgate area it's easy to get to either I5 or Lake City Way, also Wallingford, University District and Maple Leaf are not bad. Much as I like Ballard that's too far west and would add a lot of time to the drive.

[west seattle gal]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I would have agreed, but have you tried Lake City Way at commute time since the bridge toll? Total gridlock the whole way. I'd prefer I5 north to 405 South. Regardless, your commute will be short in miles but long in time. If you are set on Seattle, try different routes to see which you like best when you get here. If you look at the Roosevelt/Northgate area it's easy to get to either I5 or Lake City Way, also Wallingford, University District and Maple Leaf are not bad. Much as I like Ballard that's too far west and would add a lot of time to the drive.

Yes, I sometimes do that commute in the morning. There is some gridlock, but relatively, I prefer this route. Traffic congestion just seems to be a way of life here. I5-N to 405-S is OK depending on how far South a commuter accesses the highway...

[sean98125]

Lake City Way is a highway - state route 522, to be exact.