Car Rental Everett, WA

FAQs

What type of vehicle is best for exploring the Everett area?

For driving around the city and general exploring, you'll be fine with a standard car. If you plan to visit mountain areas like the Cascades or Stevens Pass in the winter, you should think about getting a car with AWD or 4WD. This is a good idea especially from November to April.

How does ferry travel work with a rental car?

You can take a rental car on Washington State Ferries. Just drive to the terminal, pay the fare for your car and yourself and follow the signs to the loading area. For busy routes, like to the San Juan Islands, you should reserve a spot for your car ahead of time. You don't need any special permission from the rental company for normal ferry trips.

Are there any toll roads in the Everett area?

You won't find any toll roads right in Everett. If you drive to Seattle, you should know about the tolls on the SR-520 floating bridge and the SR-99 tunnel. The I-405 express lanes south of Lynnwood also charge a toll. All these tolls are collected electronically, so you can't pay in cash.

Is it difficult to drive to Seattle from Everett?

The drive is about 30 miles (48 km), which isn't too far. However, traffic can be heavy during rush hour. If you drive south in the morning (6-9 a.m.) or north in the evening (3-6 p.m.), the trip can take 60-90 minutes. When traffic is light, the drive usually takes 35-45 minutes.

What should I know about parking in downtown Everett?

On weekdays, you can park for free on most downtown streets, but there are time limits of 2-3 hours. You can also find several public lots where you can park all day for $2-7. On evenings after 6 p.m. and on weekends, you usually don't have to pay or worry about time limits for street parking.

Do I need a special permit to visit Olympic National Park or Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest?

To enter Olympic National Park, you'll need to pay an entrance fee, which is currently $30 for each car and lasts for seven days. To park at most trailheads in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, you need a Northwest Forest Pass. A daily pass costs $5 and an annual one is $30. You can buy these passes at ranger stations, visitor centers or online.

How does winter weather affect driving around Everett?

Everett doesn't get a lot of snow. But even a little snow can make driving tricky because the city has a lot of hills. From November through April, you'll often need tire chains or an AWD/4WD car to drive through mountain passes like Stevens and Snoqualmie. You should always check WSDOT for the latest road conditions before you drive in the mountains.

Can I take a rental car on the Boeing Factory Tour?

You can't drive your car on the tour itself. But you can find plenty of free parking at the Future of Flight Aviation Center, which is where the tour starts. Boeing uses its own buses to take people on the tour.

Are there any scenic drives close to Everett?

You can find several beautiful drives nearby. On the Mountain Loop Highway east of Everett, you can see forests and mountains. Chuckanut Drive north toward Bellingham gives you great views of the coast. And the drive to Whidbey Island on the Mukilteo ferry lets you see the island and water.

What should I know about driving near Naval Station Everett?

The naval base is located downtown along the waterfront. The roads around the base are open to everyone, but to get onto the base itself, you need to show proper ID and have security clearance. You should follow all posted signs around the navy facility and know that security is tighter when ships are arriving.