OT:traffic advice from Seattle/Vancouver BC crew

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1804 Posts XTreme Poster

Headed to Whistler from HR on a Sunday morning. Return on a Friday late morning. Which route when traffic considered?

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hood+River,+OR/Whistler+Mountain+Bike+Park,+Whistler+Blackcomb,+Whistler,+BC/@47.8030774,-124.1601733,7z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x54960e614c1c0fe7:0x56f6cf7e4d7d985c!2m2!1d-121.5214623!2d45.7053966!1m5!1m1!1s0x54873cacc0c7b8bb:0xdfe0dabc4527e975!2m2!1d-122.9530982!2d50.1133337

Thanks,
Eric

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

I suggest you plan a route through Vancouver that uses the Iron Worker's Memorial Bridge to avoid the downtown peninsula and traffic on the Lion's Gate. It is not as scenic, but is way less hassle for an out of towner.

Try avoiding the border crossings on Sunday afternoon evening as they are a shitshow with all the returning Canadians. Listen to Vancouver's am 730 for border updates once north of b'ham then you will know to go to the Peace Arch or truck crossing.

J.P. · Since 10 Mar 2005 638 Posts Addicted

I have 3 pieces of advice on the topic.

1) Avoid going thru Vancouver!!!
2) Avoid going thru Vancouver!!!
3) Avoid going thru Vancouver!!!

If you use the Blaine crossing, Squamptom is a short 90 minutes from the line and Whistlers another ~30 up the road

North bound boarder crossing times
http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/border/default.aspx

Southhbound boarder crossing times
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/ATIS/index.htm

general BC 411
http://www.drivebc.ca/

Oh, go over the toll bride and pay on Treo.ca

fyi, If you're heading North, the North Bound switches from the night shift of 3 stalls to the day shift of 8 and tends to flush any line that may have formed up to this point quickly.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 787 Posts Opinionated

JP has the right idea.

Rather than staying on I-5/99 through Vancouver, take the exit for truck customs right before the border which puts you on hwy 15 through Cloverdale to CAN 1.
Once you are on 1 there are no traffic lights, just an automated toll bridge. You can pay the toll online right after your trip (www.treo.ca) or wait for a bill in the mail with a small added service charge.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1804 Posts XTreme Poster

Very much appreciate the tips.

Eric

flipper · Since 17 Oct 2011 320 Posts Obsessed

I've had good success with leaving HR at 6pm and arriving in Whistler at 1:30am. Sleep until 9:30 and you have a full day of riding with a reasonable amount of sleep.

On the way up, hit Seattle at 10pm, hardly any traffic. Hit the border at midnight = almost zero wait. Bomb right through New Westminster to Hwy 1. Zero traffic between Vancouver and Whistler.

Then on return, leave Whistler at 6pm, hit border at 8pm at Alderbrook = zero wait going south. Get some ice-cream at the dairy. Double thumbs up for the $4.50 strawberry, blackberry & raspberry mashup shake!!!!! Seattle traffic thinning by 10pm. Home in HR by 1:30am.

PS don't go 91kph near Whistler

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

Jp's map nailed it. I live in Vancouver and this is the route I would recommend.