Red, white and blue with lots of ferry traffic too Nearly 400K riders expected for July 4th travel

Washington State Ferries anticipates nearly 400,000 travelers for the Independence Day weekend. A second ferry will operate on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route starting July 4, marking a significant step in returning to full service three years ahead of schedule. WSF Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey commended the staff for their work during this peak travel period. Travelers should check the WSDOT mobile app for sailing schedules, live terminal conditions, and alerts. The busiest travel times are expected westbound from July 2-4 and eastbound on July 5-6, prompting suggestions for early morning or late-night sailings.

Holiday schedule changes will affect the Edmonds/Kingston route, with other routes maintaining normal Friday schedules. The ferry system emphasizes that transporting illegal fireworks aboard is prohibited. Travelers using state highways should plan for potential backups and delays by checking real-time traffic information.