Forum Discussion

explore2015_'s avatar
explore2015_
Explorer
May 27, 2015

seattle

traveling from Pacific City, Oregon and want to visit the San Juan Islands. Is it crazy to pull a travel trailer thru the Seattle area? Thought about parking it in an area like Burlington and then taking day trips over to the island since we want to bike the islands. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your input
  • obgraham wrote:
    The big trucks pull through Seattle all the time,so it can be done, but there really are only two expressways, and the term "express" does not fit. Traffic is always pretty heavy, and often at a 5-lane standstill.

    Any plan which avoids the RV through downtown or around on the 405 is a better plan.

    We use I-5 north and south the traffic is horrible week days, but take your time, it's doable. weekends are a lot better. unless there is a game down town.

    and remember the state speed limit for any body towing, or any one over 10,000 pounds is 60 MPH. and stay out of the left lane.

    once north of Exit 206, you are home free. there is a very nice rest area a mile north of exit 206 to use to calm your nerves, before the 1 hour trip to Anacortes.

    The 1 camp ground that I forgot is the new one at the Swinomish Indian Res. on highway 20, (4 miles east of Anacortes.) and the cheapest gas/diesel in the area.
  • Executive wrote:
    Put your trailer at Chehalis, La Conner or Mt. Vernon and use the TV to get to the port..check online for specials on the ferry..sent you a PM....Dennis

    Chehalis is south of Seattle and about a 2 hour drive to Anacortes ferry terminal, Laconner's Pot Latch resort is closed. The 2 camp grounds in Mt. Vernon are closed.

    Your best choices are Faldago Bay Resort, Deception Pass State park, North Whidbey Campground across highway 20 from Deception pass S/P. The best of those is Faldago bay.

    Are you military? DOD civil Service? the best camp ground in the area is the Camp ground on NAS
  • It depends on what you mean by puling it "through" Seattle. If you mean going down the freeways then there's no problem. If you mean getting off those freeways and dragging it through town, there's no way I would try that.

    Good luck.
    Scott
  • Avoid Seattle between 5 and 10 in the morning and between 2 and 8 in the evening and you should be OK. Traffic is bad anytime of the day or night, but rush hour is worst. Since this is your first time, stick on I405. There are several camp grounds in and around Anacortes. Years ago when we toured the San Juans we used the county park about a half mile from the ferry terminal.
  • The big trucks pull through Seattle all the time,so it can be done, but there really are only two expressways, and the term "express" does not fit. Traffic is always pretty heavy, and often at a 5-lane standstill.

    Any plan which avoids the RV through downtown or around on the 405 is a better plan.
  • Put your trailer at Chehalis, La Conner or Mt. Vernon and use the TV to get to the port..check online for specials on the ferry..sent you a PM....Dennis
  • Park it in the Campground on highway 20, 1 mile from Anacortes "Faldago Bay Resort"

    And remember, there is aircraft ferry service to the islands, at the airport.
  • Not crazy at all. I-5 north to Burlington np. I'd stay at Bayview State Park, site #3 or #4. Beautiful views of the water, great access to drive to the ferries for visiting the Islands.