Best (aka) easiest route from Tacoma to Sequim

I lived in Moses Lake WA I would take I-90 to the WA 18 to I-5 to WA 16 to Sequim. The biggest problem is you need to be on the 18 before 1 pm. You also have to be careful going from the 5 to 16 it happens faster than you think it should. Driving in the Puget Sound area is about being in the right lane at the right time.

Highway 16 involves the Narrows Bridge which is nearly always gridlocked during the day.

Google Maps gives the 101 route 40 more miles and an hour more.

The Narrows bridge may be slow, but so is I5 south toward Olympia. But WSDOT (and Google Maps) is good at keeping track of traffic on these roads. On GM you can ask for routes at various times of the day. Afternoon rushhour out of Tacoma can be slow both ways.

101 along Hood Canal is scenic, but long and curvy. I wouldn't recommend it if you are in a rush; it's better to take your time and stop for meals, beach walks and state park visits.

16 is mostly divided highway, with a narrower median near the junction with 3. 3 continues like that through Bremerton. It widens through Silverdale, and becomes 2 lane north of Poulsbo.

I would use the Narrows Bridge unless realtime traffic indicates that it is really slow.

We never found the Narrows Bridge route congested. Plan your timing so you're not driving with the workers and you'll be fine. Taking 101 north to us is slower and lots of curves.

mockturtle wrote:
Highway 16 involves the Narrows Bridge which is nearly always gridlocked during the day.

Antique information. A second parallel bridge was built and grid lock went away.
Take Hwy 16. Avoid rush hours and you'll be fine.

Thinking about going Hwy 2 West out of Spokane and visiting Leavenworth, then dropping down on Hwy 97 to Cle Elum and catching I-90. Hopefully the fires/smoke has cleared and air quality is better. Seems we've been breathing smoke since last October! Any suggestions on parks in that area?

Thanks so much for input about Hwy 16 and Narrows Bridge route!!

Check WSDOT for a construction closure on 97, Blewett Pass right now:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2018/09/06/five-day-closure-us-97-over-blewett-pass-culvert-work-starts-sept-9

If you are already on US2, and don't need to go to Tacoma, consider staying on 2, and taking a ferry across - either the Coupville-PT or Edomonds-Kingston. It'll save some driving, though the cost is more. The Narrows bridge only charges toll on the south bound direction.

paulj - Thanks for the catch on the WSDOT alert!!

rvdivers wrote:
We're a 40' Class A towing and wonder which route would be best/easiest from Tacoma, WA to Sequim, WA. We are coming from Spokane on I-90. Going up through Gig Harbor, Bremerton, Poulsbo it appears to be freeway, but is it easier to go south to Olympia on I-5 and then north on Hwy 101.
Thanks!

If you were coming in from the south, then the left off I5 north at Olimpia and taking 101 north makes sense. If you really hate traffic, the ferry route is nice, if money isn't an issue. just like a fiver you will be hit with over length and over height on the ferry.

Ferry Fares

If you cross the Cascades on I-90 into Seattle, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge on WA-16 is your best bet. The limited access highway through the Kitsap Peninsula will be minimum delays, though traffic will be moderately busy.

I-5 from a bit north of Tacoma down past the turnoff to WA-16 is the worst construction/ traffic currently in the state. And is going to be for years as the rebuilt of the section through Fort Lewis/McCord AFB gets started.

Personally I'd prefer coming across the Cascades on US-12 and up I-5 to Olympia to US-101.

An alternate of US-2 and the ferry might have the easiest traffic, and might not. It will certainly be the most expensive. Before getting to the ferry terminal, unhook the toad and have the wife drive it separately. Cheaper than towing it which adds to total vehicle length.

Also, do not take US-2 westbound on a Sunday. A year ago people were seeing 8 to 12 hour drives from Leavenworth to Monroe on US-2 eastbound on Sunday afternoons.