Seattle driving guide

With stunning natural scenery and a world-renowned coffee culture, the stylish city of Seattle draws many millions of visitors to the Pacific Northwest. If you’re exploring this stretch of the Puget Sound by road, it pays to know how to navigate the city limits.

Whether you’re sampling fresh flavors in Pike Place Market or exploring the evergreen forests beyond the city limits, Seattle is a city packed with art, architecture and plenty of adventure.

Learn more about driving here, from parking in Seattle to speed limits and toll road charges with our in-depth guide. Get to grips with the Emerald City’s road network below.  

At-a-glance info:

In this guide:

• Driving rules in Seattle
• Speed limits in Seattle
• Toll roads in and around Seattle
• Seattle’s driving license requirements
• Parking in Seattle
• Electric car charging in Seattle
• Quick driving tips for Seattle
• Frequently asked questions

Driving rules in Seattle

• You must yield to emergency vehicles approaching from any direction. It’s best to pull over where safe to do so and clear the way for the vehicle to pass.
• U-turns on a road are legal, but only when you can see that the way is clear for 500 feet in each direction.
• Entering a freeway requires stopping at the ramp-meter signal. These red light – green light systems are designed to keep a safe flow of traffic when merging onto a freeway.

Speed limits in Seattle

Seattle’s speed limits follow the wider Washington state. Limits depend on what road you’re on and what vehicle you’re in. It’s illegal to exceed the speed limit anywhere in the city. Doing so can result in fines, license penalties or even imprisonment.

The speed limits on individual roads might be lower than some of the averages given below, be sure to check for signage on residential streets. Some of these are limited to 10 – 20mph.

Toll roads in and around Seattle

Some of the roads around Seattle require payment to use. These major thoroughfares are toll roads to limit congestion. Fees depend on where you enter and exit the road and what vehicle you’re driving.

You might want to use them if you need to get around the city quickly and avoid the traffic of side streets and residential areas.

I-405 Express Toll Lanes

I-405 toll lanes are live priced expressways that cut across the city east to west from Lynnwood to Bellevue. They’re useful for getting around the city quickly but bear in mind prices change depending on traffic flow.

From: Lynnwood

To: Bellevue

Cost for car: Prices vary depending on traffic congestion, but usually range from $0.75 to $10.

Cost for truck: Tow trucks, trailers and vehicles over 10,000lbs are not able to enter the express toll lanes. Recreational vans are allowed to use the I-405 Express Lanes, for the same fees as cars.

How to pay: Payment is made via the Good to Go! App. You’ll need an account and to have pre-registered your plate number before entering the city limits. If you haven’t done this, you can take a photo of your plate and mail your payment to the Department of Licensing.

SR167 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes

The SH167 is one of the fastest ways to link up with the I-405. Tolls adjust depending on congestion, as with many of the other paid routes in Seattle. Hop aboard after 7pm and you can drive for free.

From: Renton

To: Auburn

Cost for car: Tolls change based on traffic levels but range from $0.50 to $9.00.

Cost for truck: Transit and recreational vans must register beforehand with the Department of Licensing to use HOT lanes. Once done you can drive for free in the specified lane.

How to pay: You’ll need to be registered with a Good to Go! and have set up your plate number account before you use the road in order to legally access the HOT.

SR520 Bridge Toll

The SR520 Bridge crosses Lake Washington, linking central Seattle to western Bellevue. It’s the quickest way to get Downtown if you’re staying over the water.

From: Downtown

To: Bellevue

Cost for car: Toll fees change depending on the time of day but range from $1.25 to $6.30.

Cost for truck: Prices differ by the time of day but range from $2.50 to $18.90. The more axles your vehicle has, the more you’ll pay.

How to pay: As with most of Seattle’s toll road network, you’ll need a Good to Go! account to register your car plates and pay your fees.

SR99 Tunnel Toll

The two-mile State Route 99 tunnel runs under downtown Seattle, helping those travelling north avoid the congestion of the city center.

From: SoDo

To: South Lake Union

Cost for car: Tolls are based on the time of day and range from $1.20 to $4.70.

Cost for truck: Tolls are based on the time of day and range from $2.25 to $14.10.

How to pay: Like the rest of Seattle, you can pay your toll fees via a Good to Go! account.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge Toll

Cross from Tacoma to Gig Harbor on the State Route 16 Bridge and you’ll have to pay your way. This can, however, be a fast way of accessing the wider city area and Interstate 5.

From: Tacoma

To: Gig Harbor

Cost for car: $4.50 to $6.50.

Cost for truck: $6.75 to $19.50.

How to pay: You can pay at the toll booths on the entranceway to the bridge or using your Good to Go! account for cheaper rates.

Seattle’s driving license requirements

Driving in Seattle requires a registered Washington state license, which you can obtain from the age of 16 once you’ve completed a compulsory education course and successfully passed your test.

If you’re arriving from out-of-state, you can legally drive under your state registered license so long as it is valid in your home location.

Parking in Seattle

There are plenty of places to park across Seattle, including lots in Downtown and Uptown, close to the city’s main landmarks. If you can’t find space in a lot, there’s on-street metered parking too.

Union Square Underground

Located in the city’s Central Business District, this 1021-space lot is close to Freeway Park and the Washington State Convention Center, host of nationally famous events like the Seattle Comic-Con.

Location: Union Square, 601 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101.

Cost (per hour or per day): Costs start at $10 for an hour, with additional time charged at $3 an hour.

How to pay: You can make payments by card when you arrive.

Pike Place Market Garage

Pike Place is one of the city’s most popular spots, home of the titular market and entry point to Seattle’s action-packed waterfront. Parking at the on-site underground puts you right in the heart of the district. However, with just over 800 stalls, space can fill up fast.

Location: 1531 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101.

Cost (per hour or per day): Parking here charges $4 per hour.

How to pay: Payment can be made by card or with change upon exiting the garage.

Mercer Street Garage

You’re at the heart of the action when you pull up at Mercer Street Garage. This central parking lot is just a short walk from the Seattle Center events space and the soaring Space Needle. The South Lake Union waterfront is a little over 10-minutes east.

Location: 650 3rd Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109.

Cost (per hour or per day): Parking here charges $6 for an hour and an all-day rate is available.

How to pay: Payment can be made by card or with change upon exiting the garage.

Street parking in Seattle

You can park up on a metered spot anywhere in the city. Payment can be made at the meter and is usually by the hour. You can pay for a set number of hours, ranging from two to 10, depending on where you are. Parking at metered spots is free on Sundays.

Seattle parking app

PayByPhone is the official Seattle parking app. You can use your smartphone to pay for and manage your parking session, increase the time and find spaces near where you’re heading.

Electric car charging in Seattle

The Emerald City is an environmentally conscious place. There are over 700 public EV charging stations across the Seattle city limits. 93% of the ports are Level 2, with almost half of those free-to-use.

Due to its coastal location, many of Seattle’s EV stations are hydropower. You’ll find chargers throughout Downtown, as well as many close to key landmarks.

The city authorities are adding additional chargers all the time and have the aim of electrifying all of Seattle’s public transit systems.

Quick driving tips for Seattle

• Seattle is pedestrian friendly. You’re expected to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
• Give way to vehicles approaching from the right at multi-way intersections.
• You are required to use your headlights any time from 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
• You cannot use your cell phone, even hands-free, for calls or texts while in Seattle. Doing so is punishable by fines or driving restrictions. You can use your phone for GPS navigation if the phone is held in a cradle on your dashboard.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time of day to drive in Seattle?

Driving in Seattle can differ by the day, but generally it’s best to steer clear of congested roads during rush hour. Typically, traffic peaks during the hours of 7am–9am and 4pm–7pm.

Check local traffic reports or GPS updates for the latest on your journey time before you head out. 

Is it difficult driving in Seattle?

Seattle can be a challenging drive if you don’t prepare in advance. Traffic is busy and the city’s older road network means streets are tight and difficult to navigate in places. With a green-conscious population, there are plenty of pedestrians and cyclists too.

Prepare in advance by reading our Seattle driving guide for top tips on exploring this city by road.

How much is a speeding ticket in Seattle?

Speeding ticket charges can vary depending on where you are in the city and the speed at which you’re travelling above the given limit. Multiple tickets can result in driving bans or even imprisonment.

Now that you know more about driving in Seattle, you’re all set for your Pacific Coast adventure. Book a rental car with Hertz and explore this fascinating city today.

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