Washington driving guide

Getting ready to drive your way through Washington? Driving around a new state can be daunting. That’s why we created our very own guide to the driving rules in Washington, to help you understand the statewide regulations you need to follow. 

Read on to find out all about the toll roads and speed limits in Washington.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Washington and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• You should always yield to a pedestrian if there is enough time to do so.
• If there’s a multiple-way intersection, the general rule is to give way to the person on your right.
• If you are across from someone at an intersection, there is no need to figure out the right of way – unless someone is turning, then the person going straight has right of way.
• In Washington, you will need to use your headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before the sun rises.
• It is illegal to use a cell phone, even hands-free, while driving in Washington. This includes making or receiving calls or text messages. 

Speed limits in Washington

Speed limits in Washington depend on the type of road you’re driving on. Driving over the speed limit in Washington is subject to traffic citations, fines, license suspensions or even arrests for serious and repeat offenses.

Toll roads in Washington

There are five toll roads in Washington that are used to help ease congestion and fund major transportation projects.

SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Connecting Tacoma with Gig Harbor, the SR 16 toll road is the quickest way to get to Tacoma from the Kitsap peninsula.

From: Gig Harbor – Olympic Drive, 36th Street or 24th Street.

To: North Jackson Avenue, Pearl Street, South 19th Street or Orchard Street.

Cost for car: Depending on how you pay, you can expect to pay between $5.25 and $7.25 for a vehicle with two axles. “Good to go!” account holders get a discount.

Cost for truck: Depending on the number of axles and the payment method, trucks can expect to pay between $7.90 and $21.25.

How to pay: You can get a “Good to go!” pass or sometimes pay by cash. Some tolls may also allow you to pay with an invoice if you do not have a “Good to Go!” pass.

SR 167 HOT Lanes

These HOT Lanes improve travel time between the I-405 in Renton and 8th Street East in Pacific. You can stay on the regular lanes if you wish to avoid the toll. The lanes are open at all hours, but the toll is only applicable between 5am and 7pm.

From: I-405 in Renton

To: 8th Street in Pacific

Cost for car: $0.50 to $9.00.

Cost for truck: Trucks over 10,000lbs are not permitted to use the HOT lanes.

Motorcycles, buses and carpools can use the toll lanes for free.

How to pay: Pay with an electronic “Good to Go!” pass.

SR 520 Bridge

The SR 520 Washington Toll Bridge is positioned over Lake Washington and connects Seattle to eastern King County. It uses electronic tolling, so there are no toll booths.

From: I-5, Montlake Boulevard E or Lake Washington Boulevard E on the Seattle side.

To: 84th Avenue NE, 92nd Avenue NE, Lake Washington Boulevard E, 108th Avenue NE or the I-405.

Cost for car: It depends on the time of day – this is a 24/7 toll. The prices range from $3.25 to $6.30.

Cost for truck: The prices vary depending on the time of day and how many axles the vehicle has. Prices range from $4.90 to $18.90.

How to pay: Use your “Good to Go!” pass. Alternatively, you can mail your fee for $2.00 if you do not have a prepaid account.

I-405 Express Toll Lanes

This toll road in Washington connects Lynnwood to Bellevue. Get on the toll lanes using the direct access ramps. The toll is charged between 5am and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

From: NE 6th Street, Bellevue

To: NE 128th Street, Kirkland

Cost for car: The price is based on traffic conditions. You can pay between $0.75 to $10.00.

Cost for truck: Trucks over 10,000lbs are not allowed to use the lanes.

How to pay: Pay with a prepaid “Good to Go!” pass or mail your fee for $2 extra.

SR 99 Tunnel

The SR 99 tunnel is from SODO in Downtown Seattle to South Lake Union in the north of the city. The toll is open 24/7 and is always charged.

From: Alaskan Way at the South Portal

To: Dexter Avenue at the North Portal

Cost for car: With a “Good to Go!” pass, the toll costs between $1.15 and $2.60. Without a pass, it costs between $3.15 and $4.60.

Cost for truck: Vehicles with more than two axles will pay between $1.75 and $13.80.

How to pay: With a prepaid “Good to Go!” pass or by an invoice in the mail. 

Driving ages and license requirements in Washington

• The minimum driving age in Washington is 16.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Washington with Hertz is 25.
• To drive a truck, you must be 18 or over and at least 21 to drive a truck with passengers across Washington state lines.

If you’re under 25 and want to rent with Hertz, we have a young drivers’ guide to help you understand the rules and regulations.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Washington

In your vehicle, you should carry:

• Spare bulbs
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Snacks
• Water
• Warm clothing
• Blankets
• First aid kit.

Please check the rental agreement here for a list of prohibited items while driving through Washington in a Hertz rental car.

Washington speed violations, infractions and penalties

If you speed in Washington, you may face a fine. Fines range from $125 for going 1-5mph over the limit to $411 if you’re more than 35mph over the limit. Repeat offenses can also have more serious consequences in the form of license suspensions and eventual jail time.

Driving with children in Washington

It is recommended to follow the car seat requirements in Washington for the safety of your children and to avoid fines. They are as follows:

• Children under 13 must only ride in the back seats.
• Children under eight years old or those who are not yet over 4’9” must be seated in a booster seat or child seat.
• Any infants and toddlers must be secured in age-appropriate car seats.
• If your child is under 40 pounds, a booster seat must be used. 

Gas prices in Washington

The average gas price in Washington is $4.85 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.12 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.17 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated November 4, 2022. 

Electric car charging in Washington

Washington is extending its electric highway system to allow drivers of electric cars to plug-in along the journey.

There are plenty of spots within the state for you to charge your car. There may be a fee, with companies like PSE Up & Go charging $0.42/kWh for a fast charger and $0.28/kWh for a level 2 charger. However, in some of Washington’s cities, you’ll find free public electric chargers available, especially in larger parking lots. 

Driving between Washington and other states

If you’re planning a long vacation from Washington and fancy venturing into other states like Oregon, Idaho or even into Canada, you’ve come to the right place. Hertz lets you keep your rental car for the full journey into neighboring states – you don’t have to worry about driving all the way back to Washington to return your rental.

It’s important to let us know when booking, so we can help with one-way journeys where you pick up in one location and drop off in another.

Driving conditions in Washington

In Washington, the climate has two very distinct seasons with temperatures ranging from 46°F in the winter to highs of 79°F in the summer. The summers are dry, humid and mild, while winters are cool.

July to September is considered one of the most comfortable periods to visit Washington due to its moderately warm and dry days.