Ferry Good Advice for Fourth of July Weekend Travel

 — from Washington State Ferries —

With additional sailings and travel tips, Washington State Ferries is all about helping customers make their Fourth of July weekend sparkle.

Last year, the country’s largest ferry system carried nearly 350,000 passengers during Fourth of July weekend. That number is expected to be similar or higher this year.

“Fourth of July weekend will be one of our busiest travel weekends of the year,” said Assistant Secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division Lynne Griffith. “We’re hoping to minimize wait times so that folks can get out and enjoy it.”

Ferry travelers are encouraged “know before you go” by checking the terminal conditions website, signing up for ferry travel alerts, or keeping an eye on Twitter for automatic updates on travel conditions. The summer sailing schedule by route and best times to travel can be found on the Ferries website[ clidk on the links above].

Peak travel times on most routes occur westbound Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 3, and eastbound Sunday, July 5, as people return from their weekend getaways.

Shipshape suggestions to help customers plan ahead include:

Seattle terminal at Colman Dock

• Construction on the Seattle waterfront on the doorstep of Colman Dock could impact drive-on customers. Find out about changes to Colman Dock this summer: Projects/Viaduct/Traffic/Ferry.

Vehicle reservations

• WSF offers vehicle reservations to the San Juan Islands, Sidney B.C. and Port Townsend/Coupeville. Get information about when reservations are released on the San Juan Islands route.
• To accommodate last-minute travel, drive-on customers are encouraged to travel standby on the Anacortes/San Juans Islands route. WSF requests that reservation holders arrive 45 minutes in advance due to expected high travel volumes.

Additional sailings

In anticipation of heavier-than-normal traffic for the holiday weekend, WSF added the following extra trips:

Wednesday, July 1

• Departing Anacortes to Lopez and Orcas islands at 6:45 p.m.
• Departing Anacortes to Lopez Island and Friday Harbor at 8:45 p.m.

Thursday, July 2

• Departing Anacortes to Orcas Island and Friday Harbor at 8:45 p.m.

Friday, July 3

• Departing Anacortes to Orcas Island and Friday Harbor at 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, July 4

• Departing Vashon to Fauntleroy (West Seattle) at 11:25 p.m.

Sunday, July 5

• Departing Orcas Island to Anacortes at 10:30 p.m.
• Departing Lopez Island to Anacortes at 11:00 p.m.