Seattle Area I-5 South to Carnation

enblethen wrote:
Best would be turn east from I-5 on US 2 in Everett. Then at Monroe turn south on SR 203 to Carnation. Worst part would be a couple high traffic miles entering Monroe. SR 203 is a good two lane highway. Not much for shoulders.

I agree with “enblethen”. I am an Everett native, and that’s the best route from Swinomish to Carnation.

With the above route here is an option in case southbound I-5 is backed up heading into Everett: go east on SR-530 at the Arlington exit, south on SR-9 through Lake Stevens/Frontier Village, and east on US-2 just north of Snohomish. Traffic in Snohomish County can be horrendous now so you always need alternatives.