Directions to Port Townsend

There are several ways of getting to Port Townsend. The most direct and recommended route is via the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry. Other options include driving to Whidbey Island and taking the Keystone Ferry or taking a bus. See below for more details on each option.

Seattle-Bainbridge-Port Townsend (Recommended)

Edmonds-Kingston -Port Townsend (Option from North Seattle)

Seattle-Whidbey Island-Port Townsend

Olympic Bus Lines

If you are heading to Port Townsend from North Seattle, Olympia, Tacoma or Bellingham/Mount Vernon area, or if you want additional maps for driving from Seattle, then check out the more detailed directions and maps.

Click image for larger area map .

Car Ferry and Driving

Seattle-Bainbridge-Port Townsend (Recommended)

Click image for larger map and additional directions.

The most direct route and recommended from Seattle is to take the Seattle - Bainbridge Ferry from Pier 52 in downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, then drive to Port Townsend. Via this route, Port Townsend is less than a two hour drive from Seattle. Ferry times are available online at the WA State Ferry Seattle-Bainbridge along with information regarding the Seattle Ferry terminal at Pier 52 and the Bainbridge Island terminal.

Click image for larger map and additional directions.

Directions to Seattle Ferry Terminal (Pier 52 in downtown Seattle)

If you are coming from the airport, take I-5 Northbound and then exit 164B. If coming from I-5 Southbound then take exit 164. This is the 4th Ave. and Safeco field exit. The off ramp goes to 4th Ave. Take a right onto 4th, then to one block to Royal Brougham. Turn right and head for 4-5 blocks (driving between Safeco field and the new football stadium) to Alaskan Way on the waterfront. Take another right to Alaska Way. WSF is about 1.2 miles down the street. Look for overhead signage. There is a special left hand turn lane specifically for vehicle traffic into the toll plaza. NO DROP OFF at the toll plaza. It is strictly for vehicles and occupants boarding the ferry.

Directions to Port Townsend from Seattle Ferry Terminal

From the Seattle Ferry Terminal (Pier 52), take the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry to Bainbridge Island. Take State Route (SR) 305 north/west about 13 miles (past Poulsbo) to State Route (SR) 3 north and follow the signs 7 miles to the Hood Canal Bridge. Take a left and cross the Hood Canal Bridge. The sign for Port Townsend is about .5 mile ahead. In 5 miles turn right on State Route (SR) 19 (Beaver Valley Rd.) toward Port Townsend. Continue about 22 miles to the town of Chimacum. Go straight after the 4-way stop on SR 19. 7 miles south of Port Townsend 19 joins with State Route (SR) 20. Follow SR 20 into town. The highway becomes Sims Way, then Water St. and goes past the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry dock.

Edmonds-Kingston -Port Townsend (Option from North Seattle)

Click image for larger map and additional directions.

If you are in north Seattle, a good option to driving downtown is to take the Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. Ferry times are available online at the WA State Ferry Edmonds-Kingston along with information regarding the Edmonds Ferry teminal.

Directions to Edmonds Ferry Terminal

From Seattle and Points South: Drive NORTH on Interstate 5 to State Route (SR) 104, taking Exit 177. Continue WEST on SR 104 for 4 miles and follow the signs to the Edmonds Ferry Terminal.

From Everett and Points North and East: Drive SOUTH on Interstate 5 to State Route (SR) 524, taking Exit 181. Continue WEST on SR 524 for 6 miles and follow the signs to the Edmonds Ferry Terminal.

I recommend getting in the RIGHT lane when lining up for the toll booths as it is usually much faster.

Wait Time for Vehicles

From about 2:30 p.m. through approximately the 7:20 p.m. sailing, peak traffic volumes occur. For this time period a 30-60 minute advance arrival is recommended. For non-peak travel, a 20 minute advance arrival is suggested.

Directions to Port Townsend from Edmonds Ferry Terminal

From the Edmonds, take the ferry over to Kingston. Drive through town and then follow the signs on Hiway 104 to the Hood Canal Bridge. After several miles, take a right at the light and cross the Hood Canal Bridge. The sign for Port Townsend is about .5 mile ahead. In 5 miles turn right on State Route (SR) 19 (Beaver Valley Rd.) toward Port Townsend. Continue about 22 miles to the town of Chimacum. Go straight after the 4-way stop on SR 19. 7 miles south of Port Townsend 19 joins with State Route (SR) 20. Follow SR 20 into town. The highway becomes Sims Way, then Water St. and goes past the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry dock. With normal traffic, it is one hour from Kingston to Port Townsend.

Seattle-Whidbey Island-Port Townsend

Click image for larger map.

One alternative to taking the Bainbridge Island ferry is to travel up to Whidbey Island and take a ferry from Whidbey (Keystone Pt) to Port Townsend. Whidbey Island is a beautiful Northwest Island and is the longest island in the US. If you have an extra day, Whidbey has some great sights and wonderful bed and breakfast inns. Check out the Whidbey Visitors Guide for more details.

There are two ways to travel to Whidbey Island - either via the Everett-Clinton ferry or by driving through the Mount Vernon/La Conner area and enter Whidbey Island from the north across Deception Pass on Highway 20.

Everett-Whidbey Island Ferry

Drive north on I-5 from Seattle. From I-5 exit 189 on to highway 526, follow signs to the Everett/Mukilteo to Clinton ferry terminal.

Take the Everett/Mukilteo to Clinton ferry from Everett to Clinton (on Whidbey Island). Take State Route (SR) 525 north and follow the signs to Keystone. Take the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry to Port Townsend (ferry times are available online at the WA State Ferry - Keystone-PT) . At the ferry dock take a right on Water Street to go downtown or left on Water Street to Haines Place and take a right. The Haines Place Park and Ride has ample parking if you want to get out and walk around Port Townsend.

Mount Vernon/La Conner - Whidbey Island

Drive north on I-5 from Seattle to the Mount Vernon/La Conner area. You may enjoy spending time in this farm country that is world famous for its tulips (you won't see any tulips in June as they bloom and the bulbs harvested in April). When you finish checking out La Conner and/or Mount Vernon, take Highway 20 West to Whidbey Island. You'll drive over Deception Pass (good photo opp!) and then head south down Whidbey Island until you reach the the Keystone Pt Ferry Terminal (don't miss the turnoff near Coupeville!).

Take the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry to Port Townsend (ferry times are available online at the WA State Ferry - Keystone-PT) . At the ferry dock take a right on Water Street to go downtown or left on Water Street to Haines Place and take a right. The Haines Place Park and Ride has ample parking if you want to get out and walk around Port Townsend.

Other Driving Options

From South Seattle and Tacoma (No Ferry)

Take the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Highway 16) northwest to Bremerton, and Highway 3 north to the Hood Canal Bridge. Cross the bridge and take Highway 19 (about five miles, turn right) north through Chimacum to Port Townsend. With normal traffic, it is 1 1/2 hours driving from the Tacoma Narrows bridge to Port Townsend.

From Mt. Vernon, Bellingham, Vancouver B.C.

Take Highway 20 west from Mt. Vernon to Whidbey Island, follow it south to the Keystone Ferry. Take the Keystone Ferry (1/2 hour crossing time) to Port Townsend.

From Olympia

Either use the Tacoma directions, or follow the scenic route up Hood Canal on Highway 101. From Olympia, the travel time is about equal either way, depending on traffic -- about two hours.

Olympic Bus Lines

Olympic Bus Lines has two round trips daily between Seattle and Port Townsend. Cost from downtown is $49; travel time is two to three hours. Phone: 360-417-0700 or 800-457-4492. Web site: www.olympicbuslines.com. Neither Myla and I have any experience with the busline. This information was in an Seattle-Times article on Port Townsend.

[ Home ] [ Photos ] [ Lodging ] [ What to wear ] [ Getting Here ] [ The Proposal ] [ Fun ]