Scenic Route to Seattle

Description

2 1/2 -3 hours, depending on the border wait. The truck crossing is often much quicker -there's a sign listing the wait times at each crossing just outside of White Rock so you can make your decision then.

Stop in Bellingham, have a bowl of soup at the Colophon Cafe, take a walk through the WWU Campus and it's sculptures and instead of getting back on the I-5 South, take the Chuckanut Drive route. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the Northwest, about 30 miles of twisty roads and Big Sur-like views, and leads directly back to the I-5 South.

Stop for oysters at the Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive if you have time and inclination.. It's a very easy drive. Make sure you have a passport; the US Border officers are in high 'protective' mode.

posted by lois1950 at 5:23 PM on April 9, 2006

Cost

Free

Getting There

1. Take HWY-99 to the US Peace Arch border
2. Entering United States (Washington)
3. Continue on I-5 S -41.1 km
4. Take exit 250 for WA-11 S/Old Fairhaven Pkwy toward Chuckanut Dr -0.4 km
5. Turn left at 12th Street Old Fairhaven Pkwy/WA-11- 2.1 km
6. Just stay on this road (WA-11) also known as Chuckanut Drive (this is it).

It's about 18 km including a long stretch through farmland until it reunites with I-5 that goes directly to Seattle.

Lot's of great views, restaurants and stores along the way.

Video: Scenes from Chuckanut Drive.