Drive from Seattle to Vancouver, BC (Everett, Bellingham: live in, restaurants, prices)

[newtohouston2]

Hi everyone,
My family and I are really excited that we will be visiting Seattle this week! We are also planning on going to Vancouver, BC during that trip. We're trying to figure out how to get there. I know there are good prices on trains and buses, but we thought driving there and having a car might be more economical.

My question is:
What's the drive like from Seattle to Vancouver in terms of the actual areas that we'd be driving through? I'm not sure if I have the guts to drive along mountain paths that are just feet from plunging heights (that's our main concern!).

Thanks!

[scirocco22]

Seattle to Vancouver, BC? ...plunging off mountain paths???!!

No, No, it's all Interstate highway ...no narrow mountain paths involved. No traffic signals at all, freeway all the way. The only place you'll have to stop (unless you want to) is at the border crossing. Once you cross the border, it's still freeway into Vancouver.

Unless of course you want to go the senic route through Chuckanut Drive which is sometimes narrow and windy but nowhere will you be in great danger of plunging off anything unless you're an extremely poor driver.

[pwright1]

I've done it many times. It is a beautiful and pleasant drive. A lot of times there are long lines of cars at the border. So do expect that especially during peak hours.

[Apathizer]

Originally Posted by pwright1

... It is a beautiful and pleasant drive. A lot of times there are long lines of cars at the border. So do expect that especially during peak hours.

Yeah, during peak hours (8am-8pm or so) expect a long wait at the border. To avoid this I would plan on visiting a few places in between before you get close to the border. Bellingham is a beautiful mid-sized city about halfway between Seattle and Vancouver. Also, the North Cascades (east of Bellingham) are gorgeous and the roads will be fine as long as you aren't going in the middle of winter.

It's a really nice train ride between Seattle and Vancouver - part of it goes right along the water. Vancouver also has excellent public transit, so getting around the city without a car is easy. However, if you plan on doing anything outside the city of Vancouver I'd take a car. There are some nice rural/natural areas northeast of the city.

[newtohouston2]

thanks for all the info!!! i appreciate it!

[mjeewani]

Hi i am not an US citizen and have L1 Visa, Can someone tell me how to get the visa for vancouer in Seattle?

[allforcats]

You can discuss your needs with the staff of the Consulate General of Canada, at 1501 4th Avenue Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98101. Phone (206) 443-1372.
If you are required to have a visa to enter Canada, you can apply for it there at the Consulate and they can issue it to you.

[Buddy Novenario]

how long is the trip from vancouver to seattle by car considering an additional hour at the border? thanks

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Buddy Novenario

how long is the trip from vancouver to seattle by car considering an additional hour at the border? thanks

In non-peak traffic hours the drive from Seattle to Vancouver is about 3 hours (not counting the border crossing). So, I'd say the reverse trip would be about the same!

An hour at the (Blaine) border crossing would be average- sometimes it's faster (I've zipped through in about 10 minutes in the late PM hours before), sometimes it's (a lot) slower. It of course all depends upon how many cars are in line ahead of you crossing over from Canada and whether or not the US Customs person is having a bad day...

The problem during the work week will also be traffic slowing and bottlenecks through the metropolitan areas as you drive south- Bellingham, Mt. Vernon and particularly Everett. This could add another 1/2 hour to the trip.

[JustCallMeTC]

I live in Bellingham. So here's the options.

Train. The train ride from Seattle to Vancouver is nothing short of spectacular for the most part. With the exception of a short inland portion in Skagit County, the majority of the route is right on the shoreline of Puget Sound. Don't underestimate how gorgeous that is. Even on a rainy day, although when it's sunny, it's ethereal.

There are 2 ways to get there by car.

Quickest and easiet. Interstate 5. Straight shot. Watch out for radar traps from just north of Everett to where the speed limit changes from 60 to 70 just past Smokey Point. Then again when the speed limit changes back to 60 as you enter Mount Vernon. The speed limit changes back to 60 about 10 minutes south of Bellingham. DO NOT SPEED there. They live there. I drive it every day. Once you get into Bellingham, and from there to the border you should be ok. But if you keep it to less than 5 over, they won't bother you. (I'm on this part of the highway every day)

Now here's the thing. Once you leave Seattle until you get to about 15 miles from Bellingham, it's a fairly boring drive.

The other route, which actually only takes about 10 minutes longer (unless you stop to take pictures, and believe me, you will) is Chuckanut Drive. It's an old two lane highway that runs from Interstate 5 just north of Mt. Vernon (60 miles from Seattle) across the flats of Skagit Valley for a while and then the moment you get to Puget Sound, it rises above the water along the cliffs. The vistas are incredible. Looking out over The Sound and the San Juan Islands. It twists and turns like a snake in spots, so it's wise to pull over at the numerous view stops rather than try to watch the scenery and stay on the road lol.


The road is very safe, but prone to mud and rock slides occasionally. In fact, it is set to reopen in the next day or so from a rock slide last week.

Chuckanut Drive has three very good places to eat. First, in the valley is the Rhododendron. A local hot spot. Fabulous regional and seasonal foods. Moderately priced

Then just after you get to the Water, is Chuckanut Manor. Excellent Seafood and regional cuisine. Moderate to pricey.. Then not all that much further is the Oyster Bar, If price is no object, go there. It's fantastic, but it's quite expensive. Although the views from the place are million dollar views indeed.

Chuckanut will drop you into the cute village of Fairhaven (Part of Bellingham)
It's a wonderful little part of town teeming with shops and restaurants all eager to please. Or you can simply follow the signs back to Interstate 5, a mere mile or so to the east.


A few border notes. Typically mornings are the easiest and shortest wait times. 10 to 20 minutes max at 8 or 9am. After that towards the middle of the day, maybe 30. As you get to mid afternoon, especially on a weekend, you'll be waiting an hour often times or more. And if you return from BC on Sunday afternoon (Stay in the right lane coming back by the way) you'll be there at least 90 minutes..


So check on bellinghamherald,com for closure info or the Washington State DOT

Here's a link

WSDOT - Travel Alerts

A side note. If you want to see something truly spectacular along the way, I would HIGHLY recommend you go to Deception Pass. It's a bridge (and a really nice state park adjacent to same) that connects Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island. You can drive across it of course, but the real treat is walking across it. If you're like me, you'll get the hee bee gee bees for sure, but it is an experience you will not forget. And it's free. It's a 25 minute drive (18 miles or so from Interstate 5)

And on the return, you can take a short cut to Chuckanut Drive as well. If you want further directions, just PM me.

Have a great time.