How to Get From Seattle to Forks

Ah, Forks. The cloudiest town in the United States... home to a certain vampire family known as the Cullens- maybe you've heard of them? My daughter and I recently made the drive from Seattle to Forks, and- although a lengthy trip- it was a beautiful drive and we had fun time seeing the sights from the ever-popular "Twilight" series.

The trip from Seattle to Forks is about 140 miles. It will take you about three to three and a half hours to get there, unless you stop along the way. In this article, I will show you how to get from Seattle to Forks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a car
• a full tank of gas
• a lot of time!

1. Get on I-5 north, towards Edmonds.

2. Take exit 177 WA-104/Edmonds.

3. Once you've taken exit 177, follow the signs for 244th St SW. You'll do a bit of a loop, then merge onto NE 205th/244th St SW. This is also Lake Ballinger/WA-104.

4. Veer right for Edmonds Way/WA-104. You'll be seeing signs for the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry by this point.

5. Edmonds Way/WA-104 will turn into Sunset Ave/WA-104.

6. 
   The Edmonds-Kingston Ferry

   Turn left at Main St/WA-104.
   
   Here is where you will catch the Edmonds/Kingston ferry to Kingston. Taking the ferry is a lot of fun, especially if you've never been! You will pay the fee and be instructed which lane to get in. Pull your car up into this lane. If you have some time to wait, you can turn your car off. Once it's time to board the ferry, you'll be instructed to pull forward. When you're in your parking space, you can turn off your car and go inside the ferry waiting area. There are plenty of seats, and not only are there vending machines, there is a whole snack bar where you can get hot dogs, coffee and drinks, and all sorts of goodies!
   
   There will be an announcement when it is time to get back in your car. Don't start your car up until the ferry has come to a complete stop! Then just follow the instructions to exit.

7. Off the ferry, you'll continue straight on WA-104NE. There will be some twists in the road- just stay on WA-104NE.

8. Look for the ramp onto Olympic Hwy/US-101. Merge onto US-101.

9. About 37 miles after you've gotten on US-101, you'll make a left onto North Lincoln Street to keep following US-101.

10. You'll follow US-101 the whole way to Forks! If you'd like to stop and stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat along the way, the two best places to do this are Sequim and Port Angeles as they both have a few restaurant selections to choose from.

11. Sometime after Port Angeles you will come to Lake Cresent inside the Olympic National Park. It is absolutely beautiful through here! The road around the lake is extremely winding- please take your time going around all the turns. Lake Cresent is tucked down in between a number of mountain peaks, and it's almost like you've found a little area that is all your own. There are quite a few places along the lake where you can pull over, if nothing else than to just snap some pictures. A picnic would be wonderful here!

12. 
    Forks, WA: Dazzled by Twilight

    When you drive into Forks on US-101, you will be on the main road through the town. If you drive through the town on 101, just outside of it you'll find the Forks Chamber of Commerce (where Bella's old truck is!) I'd recommend going to that side of the town first, and then working your way down!
    
    Have a beautiful drive there, and have fun in Forks. Oh, and say hi to the Cullens for me!

Tips & Warnings

• Plan at least a whole day to get there.
• Consider a picnic on Lake Cresent!
• You should never drive while tired- it's very dangerous! Be sure to check out my article, "How to Stay Awake on the Road", just in case you ever find yourself tired on the road.