driving between Corvallis,Oregon and Puyallup (Seattle, Lakewood: how much, school, pros and cons)

[goldpaps]

I need to drive from Corvallis to Puyallup every Tuesday and arrive by 5:30pm. I need to return to Corvallis on Wed morning. I would like to avoid traffic as much as possible. Where are the bad spots, and what are the times I should try to avoid? Pros and cons of I-5 vs I-205? How much time should I plan for? Thanks.

[nwcountrygal]

I prefer to get off the freeway when I can. Especially during the traffic hours. I sat on 1-5 for an hour to pass FT Lewis last week at 4pm UGH! To advoid Olympia and Fort Lewis you can take the Tenio exit (coming from Oregon) just past Chehalis and this is 507 though Yelm and cut over to Puyallup either going to Spanaway (highway 7) 512 or take back roads again across to Puyallup (like 176th street in Spanaway straight to Puyallup South Hill). If you happen to be working for a Timber Company ? this would save you time. Although when school gets out or 5pm Yelm is pretty clogged up. This is all two lane roads so don't know if you would prefer this route vrs freeway clogged up. I can make it Yelm to Portland (without traffic) in about 2 1/2 hours. Good luck

[spiritbear928]

I relocated from Albany (near Corvallis) to Puyallup and made this drive every week for a while and still do every 3-4 weeks.

The commenter who advised the Yelm back road provides good wise advice. When getting out of Puy I tune in KOMO 1000 (97.7 FM) and catch traffic on the 4s. Listen for congestion in Nisqually, Lakewood or Ft Lewis. if they say its slow, go the Yelm route (in Puy you want to get to 176th and meridian, then cut over to Hwy 7 (pacific Ave and go South). Yelm does get a bit clogged cause the town is small but it is NOTHING compared to the Lakewood-Nisqaually traffic. In Yelm you can cut over to Tumwater (south of Oly) or go to Centralia(long and curvy).

Pop on I-5 south then and tune into 750KXL when you get to about Kalama to plan for PDX. I have found that 205 can be horrible during rush hour but I-5 is always horrible during rush hour. If ite between 4-7 I usually take I205. Other times take 5 but listen to KXL traffic reports and if either is clogged take the other.

Also lookout for the Woodburn area. Seems like they often have accidents there on the weekends that really mess things up. Can always take 99-E into Salem if need be.

Good luck. Its the longest drive you will love to hate but its doable.

[pw72]

I drove from Eugene to Seattle frequently for five years. As for the I-5/I-205 choice, I agree first check for a traffic report. If both routes are accident free, I-5 will save you atleast ten-fifteen minutes, as it is more direct. Both routes can have major tie-ups, especially I-5 approaching the Interstate Bridge weekday afternoons. I've also been stuck a number of times on 205 down around Oregon City.