Best Route from Seattle to Vancouver
Jan 16th, 2006, 05:16 AM
#1
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Best Route from Seattle to Vancouver
Hello Everyone!
A buddy and I are planning on traveling to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia from January 20th thru the 26th.
My question: What is the most scenic and/or most interesting route to take when driving north from Seattle into Vancouver?
We will be leaving on Saturday morning, the 21st to Vancouver and we know it takes about 2 1/2 hours or so to get there and we also know the procedures for Canadian customs but, we were hoping to maybe take in some beautiful scenery along the way or any cute towns as well.
Any suggestions would be most helpful!
Most Sincerely,
Miguel L.
A buddy and I are planning on traveling to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia from January 20th thru the 26th.
My question: What is the most scenic and/or most interesting route to take when driving north from Seattle into Vancouver?
We will be leaving on Saturday morning, the 21st to Vancouver and we know it takes about 2 1/2 hours or so to get there and we also know the procedures for Canadian customs but, we were hoping to maybe take in some beautiful scenery along the way or any cute towns as well.
Any suggestions would be most helpful!
Most Sincerely,
Miguel L.
Jan 16th, 2006, 05:55 AM
#2
Everything is pretty waterlogged right now - 28 straight days of rain ended last night, but more today - so don't expect to see the region at its best.
I would recommend taking I-5 north to SR 526, signposted "Mukilteo Ferry," take 526 past the Boeing widebody plant (biggest building in the world) then catch the ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island. On Whidbey, cut over to Langley soon after the ferry lands on the island. Very cute waterfront village. Then proceed up Whidbey to Coupeville (same story); then stop at Deception Pass for a look down on the strait - a lot of water surges through the pass at tide change.
If time allows, detour off SR 20 (which reconnects to I-5) to the village of La Conner. Note there may be some local flooding on the Skagit River delta, so watch for signposted closed roads.
North back on the freeway for 20 min. or so, then take the turnoff ("Alaska Ferry") to Fairhaven, Bellingham's historic district - more restored 19th century buildings, shops, cafes.
Back to the freeway and over the border. If you've made splendid time, you can get off BC 99 just after the border and head into White Rock, which has a fairly cute waterfront downtown with the odd fish and chips shop (and also a couple of good Greek restaurants.) Then back to the freeway and into Vancouver.
You can pick and choose from these - in January the daylight will be a limiting factor in the late afternoon. Also it might rain. And rain. And...
I would recommend taking I-5 north to SR 526, signposted "Mukilteo Ferry," take 526 past the Boeing widebody plant (biggest building in the world) then catch the ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island. On Whidbey, cut over to Langley soon after the ferry lands on the island. Very cute waterfront village. Then proceed up Whidbey to Coupeville (same story); then stop at Deception Pass for a look down on the strait - a lot of water surges through the pass at tide change.
If time allows, detour off SR 20 (which reconnects to I-5) to the village of La Conner. Note there may be some local flooding on the Skagit River delta, so watch for signposted closed roads.
North back on the freeway for 20 min. or so, then take the turnoff ("Alaska Ferry") to Fairhaven, Bellingham's historic district - more restored 19th century buildings, shops, cafes.
Back to the freeway and over the border. If you've made splendid time, you can get off BC 99 just after the border and head into White Rock, which has a fairly cute waterfront downtown with the odd fish and chips shop (and also a couple of good Greek restaurants.) Then back to the freeway and into Vancouver.
You can pick and choose from these - in January the daylight will be a limiting factor in the late afternoon. Also it might rain. And rain. And...
Jan 18th, 2006, 02:15 PM
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If the weather is OK, try SR 11 the Chakanut (SP?) road. It meanders along Puget Sound, south of Bellingham and if you can see more than 50 feet has some spectacular scenery. A number of good resturants hang off the hillside as well. SR 11 terminates in Fairhaven, which is an interesting place. It is an easy drive out to I-5 & on to Vancouver.
You can jump off I-5 at the Lynden exit and go north on Meridian (Guide Meridian) and cross the border at Sumas. Sometimes on a Sunday morning the I-5 crossing can be backed up with Skiiers going to Whistler, while Sumas is wide open.
I would say though the Chakanut (SP?) road is worth the detour.
You can jump off I-5 at the Lynden exit and go north on Meridian (Guide Meridian) and cross the border at Sumas. Sometimes on a Sunday morning the I-5 crossing can be backed up with Skiiers going to Whistler, while Sumas is wide open.
I would say though the Chakanut (SP?) road is worth the detour.
