How to drive from seattle to vancouver? We are going on vacation from california to seattle stop by oregon?

Question

road trip. I was reading up how do and what route do you take to go to vancouver. I read it was 3 hour drive. We want to go back for a visit and sushi. I have a garmin but I am reading something about ferry boat. Huh. Explain what is the easiest quick route. Do we need document like passport or Id.

Answer 1

Depending on where you're coming from in OR, it's 3 hours from Portland to Seattle on the I-5; then theoretically 2.5 from Seattle to Vancouver, but there are a few things to consider big time:

1) Anytime after Burlington (Exit 230 on I-5), start listening to NEWS 1130 am on the radio.  It's a Canadian station which gives you the news with border traffic updates every 10 minutes.  This can save you up to an hour+ in the waiting lineup.  Believe me, I've done it a lot.  The main border crossing is Peach Arch, then end station of the I-5 on the US side, but on exit 272 (? might be 274) there's an exit which says "Truck Crossing."  Truckers have to use this, but regular passenger cars can too and it's often less busy than the Peace Arch.  Getting back onto Highway 99 north into Vancouver is no problem.

2) You need at least a birth certificate, but passport is best.

3) As far as I know, there's no ferry from Seattle to Victoria/Vancouver.  It's Anacortes to Victoria and the WA ferries suck.  We did it once and thought we'd have to swim for it.  The BC ferries are a lot nicer, but don't go to the US and cost an arm and a leg.  There is a hydroplane called the Victoria Clipper which leaves Seattle to Victoria, but it's foot passenger only, no car.

4) There are tons of sushi places in Vancouver/Richmond where you can eat all you want for $9.95 at lunch.  They make it fresh and you just keep ordering off a menu.  Best places: Richmond Sushi (8388 Capstan Way #1488, Richmond) and Tomokazu Sushi (1128 W. Broadway, Vancouver).  

5) You can't go to Vancouver and not each Chinese food.  It's the best this side of Asia and just about anywhere where you see Chinese is going to be good.  BTW, those in Chinatown are actually not so good, but it's a cool place to look around.  Best places: Kirin (there are a few branches and each are outstanding and pricey) and Sun Sui Wah.  

Have a great trip!

Answer 2

Driving from California to Vancouver British Columbia would be a straight I-5 drive North bound.

From San-Fransico it would take about 18 hours to Seattle, and add 2.5 hours to get to the Canadian border and another half hour to make it to Vancouver BC.

I would take a passport if possible, but as of now you can get by with a driver's license.

If you have time I would travel Highway 101 up the Oregon coast because it is beautiful.  

I would spend some time in Seattle going to the market, Pioneer Square, the Waterfront, and Space Needle.

The only ferry ride would be a side trip to

Bainbridge Island or Vancouver Island to see Victoria.  You can use a ferry in Canada or Washington to get to Victoria.

Victoria is also accessible by Sea-plane or Pier 69 which has the Victoria Clipper that departs Seattle waterfront in the morning and gets you to Victoria in about 2 or so hours.

Have fun....get a book on Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver BC.  Also Oregon beaches.

Answer 3

Oh, my family does this all the time! I suggest you take I-5 (interstate 5), it's a really long and wide highway that takes you from the Canadian border to the Mexican border. You don't need a passport to cross the Canada/US border, though I have to warn you that the border lineups are always so long crossing to the US. Another thing, the traffic is always bad around the Seattle area.

Answer 4

Take I-5 north through Seattle, it will take you to the Canadian border, where you continue on Hwy 99 all the way into downtown Vancouver. You need government photo ID and a birth certificate or proof of citizenship to cross the border if you're driving. It's about a 3 hour drive from Seattle, not including waits at the border which are unpredictable. The ferries from Seattle go to Victoria on Vancouver Island but not Vancouver.