Driving Route Seattle to Vancouver
 

We are driving to Vancouver before sailing for Alaska from Vancouver. We want to have a memorable ride that will kick off our trip. Where are the most scenic, interesting or eclectic places to stop along the way?

How much time do you have? If you don't mind an overnight, then you can cross the Cascades, drive up through the wonderful Okanagan country, cross into BC near Omak, then follow BC Rte 3 back west - in all, a wonderful route, exposing you to mountain scenery, old west towns, more orchards than you thought could exist, and typically warm and sunny weather - a real contrast to the scenery you'll get on the boat. But this needs an overnight (maybe 10 hours' driving in all).<BR><BR>If that's too much, then you can lengthen the (normally 3 hour) drive by a couple of hours by cutting over to Mukilteo from I-5 (past the Boeing 747/777 plant - world's biggest building), ferry to Whidbey Island, then drive up the island (stopping at Langley and Coupeville) to Deception Pass, up to SR20 (maybe detour down to LaConner back on the mainland) before re-joining the freeway. From that point you can detour back to the coast and take the Chuckanut Drive into the Fairhaven district of Bellingham (historic area where the Alaska ferry departs) before sprinting to the border.<BR><BR>Once across the border, I'd recommend a stop in White Rock BC - somewhat funky British-y feeling waterfront town(fish and chips etc.) on Boundary Bay. From there it's around 30 min. to downtown Vancouver. <BR><BR>Shooting up I-5 is also an option, then use the extra time if you can to go through Vancouver and take the &quot;Sea to Sky&quot; highway up to Whistler (about 2 hours from Vancouver.) This is one of the most beautiful drives in N. America IMO; if you're going to Seward on your cruise you can compare it to the drive along Turnagain Arm into Anchorage - it's a horserace.

Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Nora......Great post John...just a couple notes.<BR><BR>The traffic: Seattle north to Everett is packed during rush hour.(5pm-7pm)<BR>Also the ferry loading during these hours can produce long waits.<BR><BR>The Chucknut drive is state road 11, just north of Mt Vernon....wonderful drive.<BR><BR>State hiway 526 from I-5 takes you to the Boeing plant.

I agree that the Chucknut drive is fabulous and also Don't miss out White Rock - it really is beautiful and I should know - I live 2 miles from it! The Sea to sky highway also has some magnificant scenery if you have the time - but beware Whistler is expensive1

We love these suggestions. Thanks.<BR>So, Kim, where shall we stop for dinner in White Rocks? <BR>Nora

Don't forget your passport. It is my understanding that a driver's license is no longer sufficient for entry into Canada.