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Directions to
Whistler
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directions - Seattle through Vancouver
Whistler is about a four to five-hour drive from Seattle, with
the trip to Vancouver taking about three hours, and the
Vancouver Whistler leg about two hours, depending on road and
traffic conditions.
The trip north from Seattle, along the Interstate 5 or I-5, to
the U.S.-Canada Douglas Border crossing (Peace Arch) is about
176 kilometers or 100 miles. Border crossing times vary
according to the day and time, with weekends seeing more
line-ups.
Drivers have two traveling options before hitting the
U.S.-Canada border, depending on whether they want a scenic trip
through the City of Vancouver, or a quick one that avoids all
the traffic hot spots.
quick route
During heavy peak traffic times travelers can take the alternate
Truck Border crossing by using Exit 275, off of I-5, before
getting to the main Douglas Border crossing.
Drivers can then follow the Pacific Highway (also known as 176th
Street or Hwy 15) through Surrey, over the Cloverdale Bypass to
Hwy 1 (the Trans Canada Highway).
Exit onto Hwy. 1, travelling west, and follow the highway out of
Surrey, over the Port-Mann Bridge, through Port Coquitlam,
Burnaby and East Vancouver.
Hwy. 1 then travels over the Ironworkers' Memorial Second
Narrows Bridge, through North and West Vancouver toward
Horseshoe Bay. Before Horseshoe Bay, Whistler-bound drivers will
take the Squamish - Whistler exit (#0 or 1), onto Hwy. 99 North,
also known as the Sea to Sky Highway.
scenic option through vancouver
Once in Canada, after going through the Douglas Border crossing,
I-5 becomes Highway 99 which travels north into Vancouver. The
trip will take you through the Massey Tunnel and over the Oak
Street Bridge.
Once across the Oak Street Bridge, you will notice that cross
streets will all be numbered in descending order from 73rd St.
down.
When you reach the 41st Street intersection turn left and travel
west until you see the next major intersection - Granville
Street.
Turn right and head north on Granville, which will lead you over
the Granville Street Bridge into downtown Vancouver.
While on the bridge, shift over to the far right lane and take
the Seymour Street exit. Travel north on Seymour, until you hit
Georgia Street, and turn left.
Georgia Street will take you out of downtown Vancouver, through
Stanley Park and over the Lions Gate bridge
Whistler-bound travellers will circle around and exit via the
Marine Drive West turnoff.
Once on Marine Drive, get in the right-hand lane, as you will be
making the first right onto Taylor Way.
After travelling up the Taylor Way hill, turn left onto Highway
1 West, and follow the signs to Whistler via Highway 99.
directions - horseshoe bay to whistler
Once on Hwy 99 North, past Horseshoe Bay, the trip to Whistler
is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on road conditions.
Take your time as you will pass by several lakes, towns and view
points along the way. The communities you will pass through
include: Britannia Beach, Squamish (considered the halfway
point), and Brackendale.
winter driving
It is recommended that your car is equipped with proper
snow/winter tires for the drive from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler.
If you have all-season tires, please carry chains and know how
to put them on.
highway regulations
Use of seatbelts in BC by drivers and passengers is mandatory.
Use of headlights during daylight on all vehicles is highly
recommended. The maximum speed limit on Highway 99 is 80 km per
hour with many slower areas along the way.
metric equivalent
All highway signs are posted in metric.30 mph = 50 kph, 50 mph =
80 kph
Gasoline is sold in litres: 1 US gallon = 3.78 litres
1 kilometre = 5/8 or .621 miles, 1 mile = 2/3 or 1.6 kilometres |
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