Help a city-slicker drive safely in the Pacific Northwest
October 10, 2010 6:41 PM Subscribe
How are the roads outside of Seattle in October?
Once upon a time, I used to drive a normal amount for a suburban teenager. Then I moved to a big city with excellent public transport, and haven't driven much in 7/8 yrs. I practiced for 3 hrs this past weekend (first time behind a car in 2 yrs!), but am feeling a little bit anxious about being the sole driver in a trip from Seattle to Anacortes/San Juan Islands next weekend.
Google says the trip is about 1.5 hrs (each way), and mostly along highways. I do well with Highways. I get extremely nervous in cities (Other people terrify me! A car is a massive weapon capable of killing! Why are people going 20 miles over the speed-limit! Why did that car not signal? why is everyone slowing down/speeding up? what do they KNOW?!)
1. Where can I rent a car that minimizes city time? We have no problem taking public transport outside Seattle to get to a car place, but there are too many options out there, I've started with the Airport, but airports can be just as bewildering as cities...
2. Service Stations. My biggest fear is getting a flat tire or having engine trouble somewhere along the way. I'll have a passenger who is even more of a novice driver than myself, so no real help there (or a back up driver). How frequent are service stations/are there service stations at exits along I-5?
3. Any tips? I practiced on highways this past weekend and was fine (got mocked for sticking to the speedlimit, but otherwise did fine). Are there any quirks of the Northwest highways that I should be aware of?
I'm probably over-thinking this whole thing, but I haven't driven regularly in a while, and want to be as little as an idiot on the road as possible. Also, I've gone over the numbers/maps and public transportation is out unfortunately.
this question is way longer than I expected. I'm overthinking this aren't I?
Once upon a time, I used to drive a normal amount for a suburban teenager. Then I moved to a big city with excellent public transport, and haven't driven much in 7/8 yrs. I practiced for 3 hrs this past weekend (first time behind a car in 2 yrs!), but am feeling a little bit anxious about being the sole driver in a trip from Seattle to Anacortes/San Juan Islands next weekend.
Google says the trip is about 1.5 hrs (each way), and mostly along highways. I do well with Highways. I get extremely nervous in cities (Other people terrify me! A car is a massive weapon capable of killing! Why are people going 20 miles over the speed-limit! Why did that car not signal? why is everyone slowing down/speeding up? what do they KNOW?!)
1. Where can I rent a car that minimizes city time? We have no problem taking public transport outside Seattle to get to a car place, but there are too many options out there, I've started with the Airport, but airports can be just as bewildering as cities...
2. Service Stations. My biggest fear is getting a flat tire or having engine trouble somewhere along the way. I'll have a passenger who is even more of a novice driver than myself, so no real help there (or a back up driver). How frequent are service stations/are there service stations at exits along I-5?
3. Any tips? I practiced on highways this past weekend and was fine (got mocked for sticking to the speedlimit, but otherwise did fine). Are there any quirks of the Northwest highways that I should be aware of?
I'm probably over-thinking this whole thing, but I haven't driven regularly in a while, and want to be as little as an idiot on the road as possible. Also, I've gone over the numbers/maps and public transportation is out unfortunately.
this question is way longer than I expected. I'm overthinking this aren't I?
Response by poster: Seattle to Anacortes and back (then ferry to San Juan Island).
We have plenty of time for detours if need be (is there anything in particular along that route that I should see?)
posted by larthegreat at 6:53 PM on October 10, 2010
We have plenty of time for detours if need be (is there anything in particular along that route that I should see?)
posted by larthegreat at 6:53 PM on October 10, 2010
You'll be fine.
Get a car at the airport. It pretty much dumps you onto 405 which dumps you onto I-5. Take that all the way to Mt Vernon then 538 to 20. I-5 is, well, I-5. It's crowded and slow but it's a freeway so it's easy. Get on at the airport and stay on it till you are out of the Seattle madness. Easy peasy.
The other roads go through small towns and rural areas so that's easy driving too. If you make a mistake turning will be easy and the other drivers are pretty mellow in that part of th world in my experience. As far as service stations go, they don't do engine trouble or flat tires anymore. If you get engine trouble call the rental company, if you get a flat tire call AAA or a tow truck. Either way pull over to the side and stay in the car.
posted by fshgrl at 7:00 PM on October 10, 2010
Get a car at the airport. It pretty much dumps you onto 405 which dumps you onto I-5. Take that all the way to Mt Vernon then 538 to 20. I-5 is, well, I-5. It's crowded and slow but it's a freeway so it's easy. Get on at the airport and stay on it till you are out of the Seattle madness. Easy peasy.
The other roads go through small towns and rural areas so that's easy driving too. If you make a mistake turning will be easy and the other drivers are pretty mellow in that part of th world in my experience. As far as service stations go, they don't do engine trouble or flat tires anymore. If you get engine trouble call the rental company, if you get a flat tire call AAA or a tow truck. Either way pull over to the side and stay in the car.
posted by fshgrl at 7:00 PM on October 10, 2010
You really will be fine. A rental car should be in perfectly serviceable condition, and you shouldn't need anything but gas for a weekend trip.
I wouldn't rent at the airport, though - it's generally more expensive than non-airport rental locations. Depending where in Seattle you are, there are definitely options you can reach by public transportation. For example, I know there are Budget and Enterprise offices in the U District. Look on the different web sites and search by zip code, if possible. And I have used the Enterprise "we'll pick you up" service (though not here in Seattle) - it is convenient, if available. They'll come to you, take you back to the office where you complete all the paperwork, and then you're off. You could probably also call the 800 number for the big rental places and they'll connect you to the closest site.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 7:36 PM on October 10, 2010
I wouldn't rent at the airport, though - it's generally more expensive than non-airport rental locations. Depending where in Seattle you are, there are definitely options you can reach by public transportation. For example, I know there are Budget and Enterprise offices in the U District. Look on the different web sites and search by zip code, if possible. And I have used the Enterprise "we'll pick you up" service (though not here in Seattle) - it is convenient, if available. They'll come to you, take you back to the office where you complete all the paperwork, and then you're off. You could probably also call the 800 number for the big rental places and they'll connect you to the closest site.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 7:36 PM on October 10, 2010
Or, alternatively, if you're going to spend more time at your destination stressed and replaying the journey over the roads, get a shuttle to where you're going. The costs will be close to a wash, and you can spend more time enjoying the scenery rather than having palpitations trying to look in all directions at once.
Otherwise, yes, you'll be just fine.
posted by HannoverFist at 9:05 PM on October 10, 2010
Otherwise, yes, you'll be just fine.
posted by HannoverFist at 9:05 PM on October 10, 2010
Rental cars are much cheaper if you don't get them at Seatac. You can take the light rail to downtown seattle and get a car there and save lots of money. Do the comparison yourself at your favorite rental car place.
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:21 PM on October 10, 2010
posted by jeffamaphone at 9:21 PM on October 10, 2010
Best answer: I do that drive all the time. You'll be fine. Stop by the Rockfish in Anacortes for some good beer!
posted by The otter lady at 9:27 PM on October 10, 2010
posted by The otter lady at 9:27 PM on October 10, 2010
It will probably rain, but it's a pleasant drive and trip in general.
posted by bardic at 9:33 PM on October 10, 2010
posted by bardic at 9:33 PM on October 10, 2010
Best answer: 1. Personally, I find the drive through Seattle on I-5 kind of terrifying when there's traffic, but I-405 (which goes around the city but through the suburbs) is much less scary. I'd say try to rent a car somewhere near 405 if possible, or as far north on I-5 in the city as is practical, to avoid that part through downtown. After that it's just the freeway followed by quiet highways to Anacortas.
2. There are lots of town and plenty of service stations along the way, nothing to worry about there. Plus rental cars are usually quite new and reliable, and they often include some kind of road side assistance (so you just call the rental company and they take care of it -- after all, it's their responsibility if they give you a faulty car).
3. I'm from B.C., but I've driven through many states and there's nothing that jumps to mind that's special about Washington's highways.
Mt. Vernon is a nice town and along the way. Worth a stop.
posted by Emanuel at 10:32 PM on October 10, 2010
2. There are lots of town and plenty of service stations along the way, nothing to worry about there. Plus rental cars are usually quite new and reliable, and they often include some kind of road side assistance (so you just call the rental company and they take care of it -- after all, it's their responsibility if they give you a faulty car).
3. I'm from B.C., but I've driven through many states and there's nothing that jumps to mind that's special about Washington's highways.
Mt. Vernon is a nice town and along the way. Worth a stop.
posted by Emanuel at 10:32 PM on October 10, 2010
Just seconding (thirding?) that the drive is totally fine - I've done it many times. You might hit some traffic just north of Seattle, but you will be OK.
posted by rossination at 10:49 PM on October 10, 2010
posted by rossination at 10:49 PM on October 10, 2010
Another BC resident who has done the drive though WA many times. The worst thing I can think of you'll hit is traffic outside of Seattle, and rain. Potentially lots of rain. I'm not sure what the weather is supposed to be like next weekend, but as long as your have good wipers (as any rental car should) and leave lots of space between yourself and the car ahead of you, you'll be fine.
That being said, the Airporter Shuttle runs between Seatac and Anacortes, if you're still looking for alternatives.
posted by cgg at 11:21 PM on October 10, 2010
That being said, the Airporter Shuttle runs between Seatac and Anacortes, if you're still looking for alternatives.
posted by cgg at 11:21 PM on October 10, 2010
1. I recommend renting a car AT the airport, not off-site, and fortheloveofgod not downtown. Sea-Tac Airport has one of the handiest (and, for infrequent drivers, least intimidating) car rental scenarios you can wish for: five agencies--Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National--have counters in the main terminal adjacent to baggage claim, with car pick-up and drop-off on the first floor of the garage. The cars are literally steps away: grab your luggage, cross a sky-bridge, take an elevator down a floor, check-in, grab your car and go. SeaTac traffic can get busy during prime time, but it doesn't come anywhere near the hellacious traffic nightmare scenarios you find at airports like O'Hare, LAX, Kennedy, etc. From the garage exit, it's very simple to exit the airport and merge onto northbound freeways where you'll intermingle with Seattle's notoriously polite drivers.
Don't rent from a downtown location...unless you want a crash course (no pun intended) in steep hills and a confusing street grid--it's probably the last place you want drive if you haven't been behind the wheel for some time. Besides, you won't spend an arm and a leg more by renting at the airport--in fact, you'll find that daily rates can be cheaper at the airport than off-site locations; plus, you can easily find a discount code at flyertalk.com or get an insane deal by checking the Priceline/Hotwire bids at betterbidding.com (on the Hotwire forum, someone just posted a winning bid of $14/day for a full-size from Alamo).
2. Service stations, restaurants, etc. on I-5 and I-405 are clearly marked; most locations are either right off the exit or across the overpass, especially outside city limits.
3. If you feel nervous while driving on the freeway, stick to the second lane from the right, not the far right lane. That way, you won't need to de/accelerate to avoid drivers trying to merge onto the freeway and you will avoid exits (marked 'Exit Only') that funnel all right-lane traffic to the offramp.
Do you have an Android phone, by chance? If so, use Google Navigation for audible turn-by-turn directions--much easier than trying to fumble with a map.
posted by prinado at 11:53 PM on October 10, 2010
Don't rent from a downtown location...unless you want a crash course (no pun intended) in steep hills and a confusing street grid--it's probably the last place you want drive if you haven't been behind the wheel for some time. Besides, you won't spend an arm and a leg more by renting at the airport--in fact, you'll find that daily rates can be cheaper at the airport than off-site locations; plus, you can easily find a discount code at flyertalk.com or get an insane deal by checking the Priceline/Hotwire bids at betterbidding.com (on the Hotwire forum, someone just posted a winning bid of $14/day for a full-size from Alamo).
2. Service stations, restaurants, etc. on I-5 and I-405 are clearly marked; most locations are either right off the exit or across the overpass, especially outside city limits.
3. If you feel nervous while driving on the freeway, stick to the second lane from the right, not the far right lane. That way, you won't need to de/accelerate to avoid drivers trying to merge onto the freeway and you will avoid exits (marked 'Exit Only') that funnel all right-lane traffic to the offramp.
Do you have an Android phone, by chance? If so, use Google Navigation for audible turn-by-turn directions--much easier than trying to fumble with a map.
posted by prinado at 11:53 PM on October 10, 2010
The shuttle bus in cgg's link is clean, fast, and relatively cheap. I've taken it many times between Seattle and Bellingham and back.
posted by bardic at 1:48 AM on October 11, 2010
posted by bardic at 1:48 AM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: I will be in Seattle (Staying at Capitol Hill) for a few days, and then in the middle of my trip I am heading up to Anacortes and back. So I'm in downtown Seattle, and can go anyplace to rent a car.
Opinion here appears to be leaning towards taking the lightrail back to the airport and getting a car there.
Thanks for the reassurances. I've planned the driving to be on sat morning/sunday evening, so as to avoid traffic, so that should help.
posted by larthegreat at 7:52 AM on October 11, 2010
Opinion here appears to be leaning towards taking the lightrail back to the airport and getting a car there.
Thanks for the reassurances. I've planned the driving to be on sat morning/sunday evening, so as to avoid traffic, so that should help.
posted by larthegreat at 7:52 AM on October 11, 2010
Best answer: I'm going to make one last attempt to save you a bunch of money by doing the work for you. Then you can do whatever you want.
I randomly chose Hertz but you can repeate for any rental care agency you want and the results will be very similar.
I got prices for renting a mid-size car (in this case a "Chevy Cobalt or similar") but you can repeat for any class of car you want and get similar results, except you generally won't find Luxury cars at the satellite offices (e.g. Audis and Mercedes and Cadillacs). This is the only advantage the airport office has over a more northerly choice.
I compared the Seatac location and the Ballard satellite, but you can repeat this experiment with any location you want and get similar results.
I randomly chose a 2 day rental from Oct 20 to Oct 22nd, but you can repeat for any date range and get similar results.
Here is the price breakdown for Seatac:
So, you do what you gotta do. Personally I find it ridiculous that they rip you off just because you're at the airport.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:51 AM on October 11, 2010
Here is the price breakdown for Seatac:
Selected Vehicle Chevrolet Cobalt or similar 2 days at 97.49 USD 194.98 USD Unlimited Free Miles Included Rate Details Airport concession fee recovery 22.09 USD Customer Facility Charge: 10.00 USD Vehicle Licensing Cost Recovery 1.54 USD ENERGY SURCHARGE 1.03 USD Vehicle Subtotal 229.64 USD Taxes 42.18 USD Total Approximate Charge 271.82 USDAnd here is the breakdown for the Ballard satellite:
Selected Vehicle Chevrolet Cobalt or similar 2 days at 32.49 USD 64.98 USD Unlimited Free Miles Included Rate Details Vehicle Licensing Cost Recovery 0.51 USD ENERGY SURCHARGE 1.03 USD Vehicle Subtotal 66.52 USD Taxes 12.78 USD Total Approximate Charge 79.30 USDPrices from hertz.com.
So, you do what you gotta do. Personally I find it ridiculous that they rip you off just because you're at the airport.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:51 AM on October 11, 2010
If you ae already in Seattle/Capitol Hill, it's silly to take the light rail south for 40 minutes, just to get into a car and drive back north and deal with all the downtown I5 congestion along the way. I would find a place up North to rent at (Lake City Way suggestion above sounds very reasonable), and bus there.
As for the drive, I agree with others that it is very straightforward - you will be fine!
posted by blindcarboncopy at 8:52 AM on October 11, 2010
As for the drive, I agree with others that it is very straightforward - you will be fine!
posted by blindcarboncopy at 8:52 AM on October 11, 2010
Best answer: My recommendation assumed you were driving to Anacortes the day of arrival. If you're on Capitol Hill, it doesn't make sense to trek back to the airport; and if its a Saturday morning, traffic in the city will be light. You can find agencies close to the freeway -- the Hertz location on 8th Avenue, for example, is a short walk (downhill) from Capitol Hill and the garage exit practically spits you out onto the northbound I5 ramp. Look for discount codes here.
Enjoy your trip - it's a lovely time of year for a visit.
posted by prinado at 10:33 AM on October 11, 2010
Enjoy your trip - it's a lovely time of year for a visit.
posted by prinado at 10:33 AM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: So renting in city is $200 bucks cheaper? Yes, Please I'll take that one.
Thank you so much for your help. I'll be booking a car shortly, am reassured that the roads are not crazy, now know that the drivers around Seattle are awesomely polite and will hopefully survive the 2 day jaunt into the country :)
Metafilter for the win!
posted by larthegreat at 12:26 PM on October 11, 2010
Thank you so much for your help. I'll be booking a car shortly, am reassured that the roads are not crazy, now know that the drivers around Seattle are awesomely polite and will hopefully survive the 2 day jaunt into the country :)
Metafilter for the win!
posted by larthegreat at 12:26 PM on October 11, 2010
If you'd like to avoid the interstate hop off of I-5 on 525 and take the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton and enjoy the rolling two lane up Whidby island, over Deception Pass and into Anacortes.
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:27 PM on October 11, 2010
posted by OHenryPacey at 12:27 PM on October 11, 2010
Response by poster: I survived and no one got hurt!
Driving into and out of Downtown Seattle was a bit nerve wracking, but once I was on I-5 I was fine.
Although we didn't see any Orca's around San Juan Island, thanks to The Otter Lady, we had a lovely meal at Rockfish in Anacortes- the Red Burbon Ale was fantastic!
thanks.
posted by larthegreat at 2:13 PM on October 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Driving into and out of Downtown Seattle was a bit nerve wracking, but once I was on I-5 I was fine.
Although we didn't see any Orca's around San Juan Island, thanks to The Otter Lady, we had a lovely meal at Rockfish in Anacortes- the Red Burbon Ale was fantastic!
thanks.
posted by larthegreat at 2:13 PM on October 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TheBones at 6:51 PM on October 10, 2010