seattle

1. Just take I-5 thru Seattle between 10-2 and you'll save a lot of time and money. It's not that bad. I especially wouldn't take the loop around to the east as it's WAY out of your way.
2. Ferries cost money and depending on the size of your rig, could cost you almost $100 a trip. I wouldn't worry about getting on and off either.
3. Port Townsend ferry now has the reservation system. You gotta call in advance. Also, the San Juan ferries do also and I have heard some real horror stories about that deal.

I'm not sure that looping to the east really saves time or hassles. I live between Seattle and Everett. I've taken 203 etc back from I90 (e.g. to Duval, and then west to Woodenville). While generally pleasant in a car, I don't think it saved me time over 405. There are just too many stops and turns.

I've also taken 9 all the way from the Canadian border. It's nice (and they just replaced the narrow Pilchuck River bridge). But with development around Lake Stevens, 9 south of Arlington has become increasingly busy. I've seen a number of construction projects on the WSDOT website seeking to improve traffic flow along 9 and connecting roads.

I'd also hesitate sending visitors on these roads without knowing something about their navigation skills, etc. Often it's simpler to just stick with the freeway, and accept that there will be some stop and go stretches during rush hour.

Pat Anderson wrote:
SR 167 is pretty bad as well.

Actually, probably the best way coming north is to avoid BOTH I-5 and I-405. Take SR-18 from Federal Way to Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Parkway to SR-202, SR-202 west or north from Snoqualmie to Fall City, SR-203 north from Fall City to Monroe, and finally US 2 west from Monroe to I-5 in Everett. If you want to avoid Everett too (sometimes a good idea), pick up SR 9 north at Snohomish from US 2, and pop out onto i-5 at Arlington. The SR 9 route slides around to the east of most of the congested urban traffic. Even though there are a few traffic signals, most times of day it is a very good option.

This would be my recommendation. A lot more relaxing. I would even take the Hwy 9 route to Arlington to avoid Everett.

SR 167 is pretty bad as well.

Actually, probably the best way coming north is to avoid BOTH I-5 and I-405. Take SR-18 from Federal Way to Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Parkway to SR-202, SR-202 west or north from Snoqualmie to Fall City, SR-203 north from Fall City to Monroe, and finally US 2 west from Monroe to I-5 in Everett. If you want to avoid Everett too (sometimes a good idea), pick up SR 9 north at Snohomish from US 2, and pop out onto i-5 at Arlington. The SR 9 route slides around to the east of most of the congested urban traffic. Even though there are a few traffic signals, most times of day it is a very good option.

Pat Anderson wrote:
might head up SR-18 from Federal Way to I-90 at Snoqualmie and then west on I-90 to I-405. That stretch of I-90 is actually the most underutilized until you hit Issaquah, and then it is a short 5 miles to I-405. Just the way I see it.

What about that stretch of SR 167 (Valley Fwy) from Auburn to Renton?

Pat Anderson wrote:
I-405 aound Seattle is much better,

Not today. it took me 2.5 hours from Renton to Mt. Vernon. can you say bumper to bumper 5 MPH crawl. Some one did an illegal lane change, crunch, and an instant 15 mile back up.

101 much better. P.T. to Whidbey, no biggey

I would say, yes, it is crazy to pull an RV through downtown Seattle on I-5. It almost does not matter what time of day unless it is in the dead of night on a Sunday. I-405 aound Seattle is much better, and even then you can really get in a jam between Renton and Bellevue, might head up SR-18 from Federal Way to I-90 at Snoqualmie and then west on I-90 to I-405. That stretch of I-90 is actually the most underutilized until you hit Issaquah, and then it is a short 5 miles to I-405. Just the way I see it.

I second the recommendation for Fidalgo Bay RV Park in Anacortes as your home base for SJ Island explorations. Much more convenient than Burlington, and a pretty darn nice park in its own right.

The OP lists NH as location. Assuming that means New Hampshire, it means they probably are used to dealing with east coast traffic. Seattle shouldn't be any worse than Boston/NY or Chicago (on the way west).

Olympia to Marysville is a continuous stretch of urban freeway, with 1 or 2 choices, plus city streets. It can be bypassed on west via US101 or routes up the Kitsap Pennisula, but that requires some ferry rides to get the San Juan ferries.

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explore2015? wrote:
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

How big is your travel trailer?

Were I making your trip from the Or. coast. I'd use Highway 101 all the way to Port Townsend. take the ferry across to Whidbey Island. Then use the camp ground at Faldago Bay. then the bikes to the ferry. (it's about 4-5 miles)

Only consideration is the tides, getting a travel trailer on and off the ferry might be a problem.

101 is very scenic, and has many camp grounds in the Olympic National Park. Plus you miss the entire city of Seattle.