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

Washington State Ferries projects nearly 400,000 travelers for the Independence Day weekend, with enhanced service on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route. Beginning July 4, a second boat will operate every Friday through Monday until October 13, contributing to a swift restoration of service levels. This addition follows the June 15 return of two-boat service on the Seattle/Bremerton route and the upcoming resumption of a three-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route on June 30. WSF Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey expressed appreciation for staff efforts to provide optimal service during peak travel times. Travelers are encouraged to utilize the WSDOT mobile app for real-time updates on schedules and terminal conditions.

The busiest travel times are expected to be westbound from July 2-4 and eastbound on July 5-6. On July 4, some routes will have modified schedules, while illegal fireworks are prohibited on ferries. Highway travelers should prepare for potential delays by checking real-time traffic information.