Getting to SeaTac at the worst time of the day (Seattle: homes, buying)

[Garfunkle524]

Hoping for some Seattle traffic gurus to help me out here. What's the best way to get from North Kirkland to SeaTac airport during peak evening rush hour? Are there any alternative routes to help me bypass 405 traffic? Any idea how long I can expect to sit in traffic if I take 405S the whole way?

[beautifulseattlehomes]

No good solution here but I tend to like to bushwhack out of mind numbing traffic as much as possible and would probably take the 520 to the 99 to the 509 to the 518...it sounds kind of crazy but it actually drops you right into Seatac...I would catch the 99 around Fremont to avoid the whole 5 south piece!

I have avoided 405 during rush hour as much as possible for 15 years because all my traffic nighmares have been on that road! So for me, moving in the car, even if it is not the most direct route is preferable to sitting on a freeway parking lot!

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by beautifulseattlehomes

No good solution here but I tend to like to bushwhack out of mind numbing traffic as much as possible and would probably take the 520 to the 99 to the 509 to the 518...it sounds kind of crazy but it actually drops you right into Seatac...I would catch the 99 around Fremont to avoid the whole 5 south piece!

I have avoided 405 during rush hour as much as possible for 15 years because all my traffic nighmares have been on that road! So for me, moving in the car, even if it is not the most direct route is preferable to sitting on a freeway parking lot!

Aurora has some mad construction going on just north of downtown. So I think there's no good way around the OP. Just expect to be in traffic for nearly two hours, leave accordingly, and hope for the best.

[Hemlock140]

I work downtown and often have to go to the airport after, or for an afternoon meeting. There is no easy solution. All routes are bad in the afternoon, though I either drive 99 to 509/518 or take the light rail. Either way is 45 minutes, and I work a block from an entrance to 99. From Kirkland add 1/2 hour +, for a total of at least 1-1/4 hour. If you don't want to miss your flight, leave Kirkland 3 hours before the scheduled departure. If all goes well you will have 2 hours to kill after getting through security. If not, You will probably still make it. We have actually driven to the Southcenter Mall around noon, had a lunch and shopped without buying anything time to check in, then only a 10 minute drive.

[Garfunkle524]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

We have actually driven to the Southcenter Mall around noon, had a lunch and shopped without buying anything time to check in, then only a 10 minute drive.

This would be a great idea if I didn't have to be at work all afternoon!

[sean98125]

Eskercurve probably has the best plan. But bring up Waze or Google Maps and let it find the fastest route for you at the time that you are driving.

Going across 520 to start is probably your best bet. Traffic on 5 isn't as bad when you get south of downtown, typically. It generally moves, at least. But an app can help you figure out if you'll save time staying on 5 or heading across to 99.

Take a look at road conditions on WSDOT or your map/traffic app at the time that you'll generally be traveling and you can see what your best bet will be. Using the directions feature on Google Maps is pretty handy for figuring out travel times.

[Garfunkle524]

Originally Posted by sean98125

Take a look at road conditions on WSDOT or your map/traffic app at the time that you'll generally be traveling and you can see what your best bet will be. Using the directions feature on Google Maps is pretty handy for figuring out travel times.

Yestrday evening Google Maps quoted me a 1 hr 23 minute travel time. Sounds like that may have been a bit optimistic. Yippee...

[Kayela]

Eskercurve probably has the best plan. But bring up Waze or Google Maps and let it find the fastest route for you at the time that you are driving.

Going across 520 to start is probably your best bet. Traffic on 5 isn't as bad when you get south of downtown, typically. It generally moves, at least. But an app can help you figure out if you'll save time staying on 5 or heading across to 99.

Take a look at road conditions on WSDOT or your map/traffic app at the time that you'll generally be traveling and you can see what your best bet will be. Using the directions feature on Google Maps is pretty handy for figuring out travel times.

I go after work plenty, and 520 -> I-5 almost always beats 405 going south, esp once you're past DT. If you can leave work even 1 hour early that helps immensely. For me - it's usually not worth it to try to get through all those light to reach 99.

[Garfunkle524]

Originally Posted by Kayela

I go after work plenty, and 520 -> I-5 almost always beats 405 going south, esp once you're past DT. If you can leave work even 1 hour early that helps immensely. For me - it's usually not worth it to try to get through all those light to reach 99.

So if I cross 520, even with the extra traffic circumventing the I-90 debacle, I'm going to spend less time sitting in traffic? How long do you think the trip will be?

[Kayela]

During normal conditions, I allow myself 45 minutes (leaving from 520 & 148th). But then again, I usually leave at 4:30. Given the I-90 work, I'd double that and hope for nice, relaxing glass of wine when I get there if I was too cautious.