Car Rental Auburn, WA

FAQs

Is Auburn a good base location for exploring Seattle and the surrounding areas? Yes, Auburn's spot right between Seattle and Tacoma makes it a great base. From Auburn, it's easier to get to Mount Rainier and other outdoor areas than if you stay in Seattle. You're still only 30-60 minutes from downtown Seattle, depending on traffic. You'll also find that hotels are usually less expensive than in downtown Seattle or Tacoma.

What type of vehicle is best if I'm planning to visit Mount Rainier from Auburn? For summer visits, any car will work fine since the roads are in good shape. If you plan a trip in spring, fall or winter, we recommend an all-wheel drive SUV, especially if you visit Crystal Mountain or the Sunrise area of Mount Rainier. In winter, you may need tire chains for mountain travel, no matter what kind of car you drive.

How bad is traffic between Auburn and Seattle? You'll find the heaviest traffic on weekday mornings from 7-9 AM heading north and evenings from 4-6 PM heading south. Your travel time can nearly double at these times. Depending on where you're going in Seattle and what traffic is like, you might want to use SR-167 to I-405 to I-5 instead of taking I-5 the whole way.

Are there any tolls I should know about when driving from Auburn? On SR-167, you will see HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes. If you're driving alone, you can pay a fee to use these lanes. You don't have to use them, as the regular lanes are free. If you drive to Seattle, the SR-520 floating bridge charges tolls in both directions. To avoid tolls, you can use I-90 instead of SR-520 when you cross Lake Washington to get to Seattle.

Where's the best place to park if using the Sounder train to Seattle? At Auburn Station, there is a large parking garage, but it fills up early on weekdays, usually by 7:30 AM. You should arrive early or have someone drop you off. On weekends, it's much easier to find a parking spot. Street parking near the station has time limits during the week.

What's the best route to Mount Rainier National Park from Auburn? You can take Auburn Way South (SR-164) east to Enumclaw, then get on SR-410 east toward Chinook Pass. For the Sunrise entrance, the part of Mount Rainier closest to Auburn, you'll continue on SR-410 and follow the signs. The drive takes about 1.5-2 hours, depending on traffic and weather.

Is it easy to find parking in downtown Auburn? Yes, you can find a lot of free parking in downtown Auburn. Street parking usually has 2-hour limits when businesses are open. You can also find several free public lots if you need to park for longer. When there are special events or festivals, it can be harder to find parking, so you should try to arrive early.

How do traffic cameras work in Auburn? Auburn uses speed cameras in some school zones and red-light cameras at certain intersections. If you speed or run a red light, these cameras take a picture of your license plate. Then, a ticket is mailed to the owner of the car. If you are renting a car, the rental company gets the ticket and will charge you for it, plus their own fee. So, be sure to drive carefully, especially in school zones and at big intersections.