Travel weekend underway in Washington with some ferry delays and tidal cancellations scheduled for Saturday. Expect packed roadways and waterways as Washingtonians head into the Memorial Day weekend. Hundreds of thousands of people are set to travel during this holiday period.
Several ferry routes in Washington experienced delays as motorists lined up to catch a ferry on Friday. However, most delays cleared as the evening progressed. Washington State Ferries anticipates approximately 350,000 travelers this weekend alone.
Passengers at the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal described the waits as similar to previous years. One traveler, Lexie Fleming, mentioned the challenges of holiday weekend travel and the need to prepare for longer wait times.
On Friday, delays of up to 1 hour were reported at the Mukilteo Terminal, 2-hour delays at Edmonds, and 1-hour delays on the Anacortes/San Juan Island routes. Additionally, low tides led to cancellations on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Vehicles with clearance less than 14 inches were advised against traveling on certain routes due to the low tides.
Some motorists displayed impatience, honking their horns while in line. Washington State Ferries emphasized the importance of planning, suggesting off-peak travel times or alternative transportation methods like walking or biking aboard.
According to Ian Sterling, a spokesperson for Washington State Ferries, the current ferry fleet is operating below pre-pandemic levels. With a 21-vessel fleet instead of the needed 26, the service is experiencing shortages. Travelers like John Gibson, heading to Whidbey Island, found ways to pass the time during the delays.
Gibson and Rachael Shanahan utilized their wait by attending to work tasks. Gibson shared his strategy for estimating wait times based on the ferry capacity. Despite the challenges, travelers are making the best of the situation as they navigate the holiday weekend travel rush.
