Getting from Seattle to Forks, WA: Drive, Bus, or Fly

Forks (Olympic Peninsula, ~3,500 pop.) — gateway to Hoh Rain Forest, Rialto Beach, Twilight tourism.

1. Drive (Most Popular)

• Route: I-5 S → WA-16 W (Tacoma Narrows Bridge) → WA-3 N → WA-104 W (Hood Canal Bridge) → US-101 N → Forks.
• Distance: 145 mi (233 km).
• Time: 3 hr 15 min – 3 hr 45 min (bridge + peninsula traffic).
• Scenery: Hood Canal, Olympic peaks, temperate rainforest.

2. Public Transit (Two-Leg)

• Seattle → Port Angeles: Clallam Transit Route 123 (via Discovery Bay) or Dungeness Line (private, 3x daily). ~3 hr 30 min.
• Port Angeles → Forks: Clallam Transit Route 14 (M–F, 2x daily; Sat 1x). ~1 hr 30 min.
• Total: 5–6 hrs + wait. Check schedules — limited weekends.

3. Fly + Drive

• Seattle (SEA) → William R. Fairchild (CLM, Port Angeles): Kenmore Air / Puget Sound Express, 45 min.
• Rent car at CLM → US-101 W 55 mi (1 hr 15 min) to Forks.
• Costly (~$300+ flight + rental) but fastest door-to-door (~3 hr).

Tips

• Fuel in Port Angeles — none in Forks after 10 pm.
• Check WSDOT for Hood Canal Bridge closures (wind).
• Winter: chains advised for US-101 climbs.