What is the most scenic route to take driving from Port Townsend to Seattle, without repeating the driving I did to reach Port Townsend in the first place?

This is my intinerary:

1. Go from to Seattle to Anacortes via this route: Drive up to Muliteo, take the Clinton ferry, and then drive up Whidbey Island to reach Anacortes

2. visit the San Juan Islands

3. visit Victoria

4. ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles; then drive to Port Townsend

What do you suggest for a (preferably scenic) route to take from Port Townsend to Seattle, without driving any of the same routes I drove previously in this trip?

I don't have a map handy, so I can't give you route numbers, but you can drive down the west side of Hood Canal, to Bremerton, then ferry to Seattle. The drive along Hood Canal will be very nice unless it is very foggy, which can happen in winter.

I agree with vedete for the most part. After Port Townsend, head down through Hood Canal. After that though I would take the Bainbridge Island ferry instead of the Bremerton.

Go south from PT to the Hood Canal Bridge and then the Bainbridge ferry into downtown Seattle. No repeated territory.

Thank you for the suggestions. I have a few questions:

Where is the Hood Canal Bridge? I do not see it on my map. What does it connect?

Are reservations needed for the car ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle? Also, does this ferry run frequently, or only once or twice a day?

Hood Canal is a long fjord stretching south parallel to the main channel of Puget Sound. The Hood Canal Bridge is a floating bridge (SR 104) that crosses the mouth of the Canal.

No reservations needed nor accepted on the Bainbridge ferry. It's a big commuter ferry that runs every 40 minutes. It's one of the scenic highlights of the region.

Thank you for the information. This will be very helpful.

Check out the weather report for ferry travel and Hood Canal Bridge opening if you are going in Winter.

Good idea. The Hood Canal Bridge closes in high winds (usually a problem only in winter). In that case, one can proceed down Hwy 101 on the western side as some have already suggested.

The Bainbridge ferry, on the other hand, rarely stops running on account of weather. Indeed, in the 18 years I rode that ferry (almost daily) it was never stopped by weather, and we had some prettty ferocious storms during that time. It did close after the earthquake in 2001(?) due to dock damage. Other ferries, particularly the Keystone-Whidbey Island run, are affected by high whnds and tides.

I'll be visiting the area the end of May, so winter weather will not be an issue.

I have a few more questions:

My trip will involve several different car ferries. Can any of you tell me whether any of these car ferry trips need advance reservations?

1. the ferry between Muliteo and Clinton

2. the ferry from Sidney to Victoria

3. the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles

4. the Port Townsend Keystone ferry (I may be changing my itinerary)

Also, I am wondering whether to drive from Sidney to Victoria instead of taking the ferry. Is one method (ferry versus driving) more scenic or quicker than the other?

An add-on to my previous posting: I forgot to include the ferry from Anacortes to San Juan Island. Are advance reservations needed?

I don't think that there is a ferry from Sydney to Victoria...it's only about 20 road miles.

My trip will involve several different car ferries. Can any of you tell me whether any of these car ferry trips need advance reservations?

1. the ferry between Muliteo and Clinton

No reservations taken. Very short crossing; the wait can be longish at commuter times (lots of Boeing commuters) and on Saturday mornings/Sunday evenings.

2. the ferry from Sidney to Victoria

No such thing; road connection.

3. the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles

They started accepting reservations recently; definitely advised for car, unnecessary for foot passengers.

4. the Port Townsend Keystone ferry (I may be changing my itinerary)

No reservations accepted. This boat can be ill-timed if tidal conditions are wrong - the Whidbey side has shallow water on the approach to the dock. Also in windy conditions this boat can be delayed/canceled.

Also, I am wondering whether to drive from Sidney to Victoria instead of taking the ferry. Is one method (ferry versus driving) more scenic or quicker than the other?

Again, no ferry - all road.

Thank you for the helpful information!

Do you also know whether reservations are needed for the car ferry that goes from Anacortes to San Juan Island?

That run doesen't take reservations, either. ONLY the runs from WA to Canada allow reservations. FYI, the Washington State Ferries website has all this info and more, though for the PA-Victoria ferry you'll need to look at that website, since it's a private company.