takemethere

We are driving from Seattle to the Olympic Penninsula and are staying in Forks by the Pacific. What is the fastest way to get there? I've heard that ferry waits are awful, so would that mean driving south on I-5 through Olympia and then north again to get on hwy 101? Would that be faster than taking the kinston-edmonds ferry?

happytrailstoyou

You are right. The ferries are a problem. Last Sunday we went to a ferry and waited in line for a half an hour to learn that the ferry we wanted was booked. We wasted precious time we could have used driving home--which we did.

It would be nice if Forks were on the Pacific, but it isn't. By the way, Forks is like hundreds of other little towns of 3,000 people, except it gets more rain and has higher unemployment.

If you drive to Forks via Tacoma and the Narrows Bridge, the drive from Seattle is 195 miles (about 4.5 hours).

If you drive to Forks via Olympia, the drive from Seattle is about 215 miles (and 5.25 hours).

I recommend the latter, because then you will do a loop. On your way to Forks, visit Quinault Lake Lodge, Kalaloch, Ruby Beach, and the Hoh Rain Forest (if time permits).

Gardyloo

Huh??

No, not faster, except - maybe - on peak of peak periods.

And don't take the Kingston ferry, take the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry. Almost twice the capacity per hour.

RESORT2ME

Look at this MapQuest routing. The crossing view of OP is delightful.


Seattle, WA
1: Start out going NORTHEAST on MARION ST toward 6TH AVE. <0.1 miles
2: Turn RIGHT onto 6TH AVE. 0.1 miles
3: Turn LEFT onto CHERRY ST. <0.1 miles
4: Merge onto I-5 N via the ramp on the LEFT toward VANCOUVER B.C.. 16.7 miles
5: Merge onto WA-525 N via EXIT 182 toward WA-99. 8.9 miles
6: Turn RIGHT onto 5TH ST. <0.1 miles
7: End At Mukilteo, WA
Estimated Time: 34 minutesDistance: 25.98 miles

Mukilteo, WA
1: Start out going WEST on 5TH ST toward MUKILTEO SPEEDWAY/WA-525. <0.1 miles
2: Turn RIGHT onto MUKILTEO SPEEDWAY/WA-525. 0.2 miles
3: MUKILTEO SPEEDWAY/WA-525 becomes MUKILTEO-CLINTON FERRY (Check ferry schedule/fares). 2.8 miles
4: MUKILTEO-CLINTON FERRY becomes WA-525. 0.4 miles
5: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto WILSON PL. <0.1 miles
6: End At Clinton, WA
Estimated Time: 24 minutesDistance: 3.62 miles

Clinton, WA
1: Start out going SOUTH on WILSON PL toward WA-525. <0.1 miles
2: Turn SHARP RIGHT onto WA-525. 21.7 miles
3: Turn LEFT onto WA-20/W WANAMAKER RD. Continue to follow WA-20. 1.6 miles
4: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto KEYSTONE AVE. 0.3 miles
5: End At Keystone, WA
Estimated Time: 35 minutesDistance: 23.81 miles

Keystone, WA
1: Start out going WEST on KEYSTONE AVE toward WA-20. 0.3 miles
2: KEYSTONE AVE becomes WA-20. 0.3 miles
3: Turn LEFT onto WANAMAKER RD. 1.6 miles
4: Turn LEFT onto FORT CASEY RD. 0.7 miles
5: Turn LEFT onto ENGLE RD. 0.7 miles
6: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT. <0.1 miles
7: Turn RIGHT onto PORT TOWNSEND-KEYSTONE FERRY (Check ferry schedule/fares). 5.7 miles
8: Stay STRAIGHT to go onto VAN BUREN ST. 0.2 miles
9: Turn RIGHT onto CLAY ST. 0.2 miles
10: End At Port Townsend, WA
Estimated Time: 43 minutesDistance: 10.23 miles

Port Townsend, WA
1: Start out going SOUTHWEST on CLAY ST toward TYLER ST. 0.2 miles
2: Turn LEFT onto VAN BUREN ST. 0.2 miles
3: Turn RIGHT onto WATER ST/WA-20. Continue to follow WA-20. 4.7 miles
4: Turn RIGHT to stay on WA-20. 7.7 miles
5: Keep RIGHT at the fork to continue on WA-20. <0.1 miles
6: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-101 W. 34.1 miles
7: Turn LEFT onto N LINCOLN ST/US-101. 0.9 miles
8: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto S LINCOLN ST/US-101. Continue to follow US-101. 55.3 miles
9: Turn LEFT onto CALAWAH WAY. <0.1 miles
10: Turn RIGHT onto SPARTAN AVE. <0.1 miles
11: End At Forks, WA
Estimated Time: 2 hours, 31 minutesDistance: 103.58 miles
Forks, WA

Total Estimated Time: 4 hours, 46 minutesDistance: 167.22 miles

takemethere

ttt

christy1

I would not categorize ferry waits as "awful." I agree with Gardyloo, take the Bainbridge ferry. Just avoid peak times-rush hour or prime weekend travel times (ie avoid coming back to Seattle Sunday late afternoon. This northern route is faster and more scenic than the southern.