Car Hire Seattle

If you have a hire car in Seattle you’ll find that there’s an extensive road system to help you get around the city and the scenic outlying areas.

Interstate 5 (I-5) runs north-south through the heart of the city, linking to Vancouver in the north and Portland in the south. Meanwhile, the I-90 heads east from Seattle, climbing inland through the Snoqualmie Pass. If you're wanting to explore the waterfront head down State Road 99, while the Seattle Bridge will allow you to take in Harbor Island and the western reaches of the city. Expect to find a simple grid pattern of modern streets in central Seattle – they’re arranged in blocks, so it’s usually easy to find your way around. And watch out for the frequent one-way roads in the grid system to help ease inner-city congestion.

The roads are generally good quality and well maintained, and traffic is usually relaxed. Seattle is, however, famous for its rain - so be prepared for frequent downpours and leave extra space between vehicles.

Around the central downtown and Capitol Hill areas you may also notice narrow green and white lanes along the street and green boxes at intersections - these are lanes set aside for cyclists and you could be fined if you drive in them.

Most of Seattle and Washington’s driving rules are similar to the rest of the US. You can read all the rules and regulations online here.

With its own distinct personality, Seattle offers a very different kind of adventure compared to most US cities. Despite the ‘Emerald City’ being home to major affluent corporations, you’ll find it’s characterised by a gritty mix of urban culture and music, independent cafes, quirky waterfront restaurants and renovated dockside warehouses.

On the Seattle waterfront

The waterfront strip is at the heart of Seattle. For an afternoon of retail therapy with a twist, visit the Pike Place Market, where a collection of eccentric stalls, cafes, performers and tourist shops are spread across an area of converted harbourside warehouses. It offers a colourful glimpse of Seattle’s personality that extends along the busy Puget Sound waterfront.

If you're into aquatic wildlife, head to the Seattle Aquarium for a nautical afternoon. Get up close and personal with some sea-critters at 'Life on the Edge', or see some fish from a more tropical climate as you explore this underwater paradise. You’ll also find there are boat cruises and water taxis so you can make your way out into Elliot Bay, and you can look out across the city from above on the giant Ferris wheel.

A meal with a view

As Seattle's most prestigious landmark, the 184-metre high Space Needle Tower stands proudly in the city. A relic from the 1962 World’s Fair, the futuristically-styled observation tower can be seen from all over the city. There’s a large gift shop at the base and a rapid lift to the top, where you’ll find a rotating restaurant, serving the finest Pacific north-west cuisine. Of course, the 360-dgree panoramic views of Seattle are mesmerising.

The Experience Music Project

You’ll spot this extraordinary blob-shaped building from the Space Needle - it’s a short walk north from the base of the Needle. The ‘EMP’ as locals call it, is housed in a building designed by American architect Frank Gehry. Inside, it’s one of the world’s great music museums - you’ll find displays about famous music stars but more memorably, interactive cubicles where you can play instruments or pose on stage like your favourite stars. The ever-changing exhibits make it one of the city's hottest attractions.

Exploring wild Washington

If you’re wanting to head out of the city, there are some spectacular drives into the forests and mountains to the east of Seattle. Take a trip to Fall City - the former home of the Snoqualmie Indian tribe, which is now full of antique shops, vineyards and restaurants and only a short away in your hire car. The drive is spectacular and when you get there you’ll be able to gaze at the Snoqualmie Falls, a 270-foot waterfall with great views and hiking trails.

A two-hour drive south will get you to Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain itself is an active volcano covered in glaciers and is high enough to be seen from downtown Seattle on a clear day. You may not be able to climb it but exploring the foothills, walking trails and lakes is an essential Washington adventure. From here, take the scenic railroad, a steam train which runs from the pretty small town of Elbe up to logging museum in the hills.

Seattle will seduce you with its bohemian arts and music scene, and its amazing views and adventures. To get the best out of this city and the surrounding area, it’s worth having a hire car.