Willamette Valley to Whidby Island

mtnbbud wrote:
I am planning to pull my 18ft trailer from the Willamette Valley in Oregon to Whidby Island Washington. Does anybody have any route advice?

Should I take Hwy 507 and 512 to avoid Olympia and Tacoma? Should I stay on I5 even though I'll probably end up in stop and go traffic?

My wife is saying we should avoid using the ferry at Port Townsend. Does anyone have experience with taking their trailer on the ferry?

the ferries are not a problem,, my suggestion is I-5 to OLY, then Shelton and up to the ferry

Traffic through Seattle is a real *****!
More scenic slower a cost of ferry would be to go up US 101 taking off at Olympia, Turn off on to WA20 near Fairmont to Port Townsend. Ferry to Whidbey arriving near Coupville.
Other option is I-5 straight through Seattle to WA 20 north of Mt Vernon, WA. Traffic drops off in late evening through Seattle. Sunday traffic is a little less when no events happening!

No, it's not worth getting off of I-5 to try and get there faster. The time of day that you go through is the bigger issue. Just avoid rush hour.

Ferry can be fun, just remember that they will charge you by the foot when you're towing. And Ferries can get big backups and delays.

I agree with paulj. If I'm going to North end of Whidbey Island, I just stay on I-5 to Hwy 20.

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Living just north of Seattle, I like to make a loop on the Island. Using the Mukilteo ferry one way, and the Deception Pass route the other. Port Townsend is another option, but that ferry is smaller and not as frequent - and reservations are encouraged. But it does put you right into the middle of the Island.

So in part the choice depends on where on the island you are headed.

Yes, it is nice to avoid the urban freeway driving by leaving I5 at Olympia, but the Kitsap roads are mostly 2 lane, except around Silverdale.

If time matters, and you aren't aiming for the south part of the Island, staying on I5 (or 405) to WA20, and taking the northern non-ferry route probably is fastest.

Speaking of the north route, I often like to take the slightly slower and more scenic route via La Conner (with a meal in town).

Going off onto 507 will only add suburban stop and go to an already congested route.
So your choice: Stay on I-5 and deal with the traffic up to Mukilteo (downtown SEA and Northgate areas will be stop and go)
Or take 101 and 20 to Port Townsend. Slow going, but much more scenic. That would be my choice.

Either way, there's a ferry. Full of RV's and trailers.

We've taken 5/405 midday with some slow downs of course. 101 to Pt Townsend is a much less congested drive of course.

All kinds of RVs, trucks etc take the ferrys. We like boats and water and it's always a good experience. You drive to the terminal, they direct you to a waiting lane, get the ticket, follow their directions for loading, park and go up on deck and enjoy the ride. The only requirement is to turn off the propane.