Marco Flamingo
Active member
I just signed up for Powell River and am now trying to figure out the logistics. Some of this information might be of interest to other Brats. Plus, others may have suggestions (or I may refer back to this post because I forget). Some info is unique to me.
I'll be leaving from Dewatto, a little town NW of Tacoma. I could drive to Tacoma and go up I-5. Computer says: 8 hour and 50 minute drive and 332 miles. I'm not sure that the 2 ferry rides on the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver are figured in accurately, but even if they are, the drive time is actually longer than if I drive north to Port Angeles, cross to Victoria, then drive north and cross back at Little River to Powell River. Computer says: 8 hour and 48 minute drive and 218 miles. A savings of 2 minutes!! And 114 miles of driving.
The fare for crossing from Port Angeles to Victoria is $155 US and the crossing time is 1 hour 30 minutes. That seems pricey, but I calculated that the two little ferry rides required if I drive up on I-5 and the Sunshine Coast is $205 US. As with the Washington State ferries, the length of the ferry ride often doesn't correspond with the fare.
If I drive up on Vancouver Island, I have the option of not taking the Little River to Powell River ferry. In good weather conditions, I can launch at Comox, get across just as fast as the ferry, and save the $84 US fare (both ways).
Crossing on the Black Ball out of PA is always my first choice. A relaxing 90 minutes crossing the Strait and 114 less miles to drive, so there is even a $20 savings in gas (at 20 mpg).
Driving around on the mainland looks like an okay choice, if there aren't traffic problems in Tacoma, or Seattle, or Vancouver. And if there are no accidents. And if there isn't any construction on I-5. And if there's no line at the Blaine border crossing. Hah!! I can't even remember such a world.
Mark
I'll be leaving from Dewatto, a little town NW of Tacoma. I could drive to Tacoma and go up I-5. Computer says: 8 hour and 50 minute drive and 332 miles. I'm not sure that the 2 ferry rides on the Sunshine Coast north of Vancouver are figured in accurately, but even if they are, the drive time is actually longer than if I drive north to Port Angeles, cross to Victoria, then drive north and cross back at Little River to Powell River. Computer says: 8 hour and 48 minute drive and 218 miles. A savings of 2 minutes!! And 114 miles of driving.
The fare for crossing from Port Angeles to Victoria is $155 US and the crossing time is 1 hour 30 minutes. That seems pricey, but I calculated that the two little ferry rides required if I drive up on I-5 and the Sunshine Coast is $205 US. As with the Washington State ferries, the length of the ferry ride often doesn't correspond with the fare.
If I drive up on Vancouver Island, I have the option of not taking the Little River to Powell River ferry. In good weather conditions, I can launch at Comox, get across just as fast as the ferry, and save the $84 US fare (both ways).
Crossing on the Black Ball out of PA is always my first choice. A relaxing 90 minutes crossing the Strait and 114 less miles to drive, so there is even a $20 savings in gas (at 20 mpg).
Driving around on the mainland looks like an okay choice, if there aren't traffic problems in Tacoma, or Seattle, or Vancouver. And if there are no accidents. And if there isn't any construction on I-5. And if there's no line at the Blaine border crossing. Hah!! I can't even remember such a world.
Mark
