Ketchikan to Sequim Road Trip: Ultimate Guide

Ketchikan, Alaska sits on Revillagigedo Island, reachable only by sea or air. The drive to Sequim, Washington requires a 36-hour ferry from Ketchikan to Bellingham on the Alaska Marine Highway. No road connects the two directly. The MV Columbia sails weekly, covering 1800 nautical miles through the Inside Passage. This guide covers the ferry journey and the subsequent drive from Bellingham to Sequim. The total time is 3 days including overnight ferry cabins. Is it worth driving? Absolutely for those seeking remote coastal beauty.

Road quality is excellent on US-101. Watch for deer and elk near Sequim. The ferry has safety drills; children must wear life jackets on deck. Fatigue management: book a cabin or sleep in the lounge. Bring seasickness meds. Rest zones include rest areas on I-5 and a large pullout near Port Townsend.

Pet-friendly framework: Pets allowed in vehicles on ferry but must stay in car or designated kennel areas. On land, many state parks have dog-friendly trails. Family suitability: moderate; the ferry ride can be long for kids, but onboard movies and dining help. Harborside stops like Friday Harbor (via ferry) are family favorites.

• Safety: ferry life jackets, road shoulder widths, weather radio
• Family stops: Port Townsend playground, Sequim's Olympic Game Farm
• Rest zones: Bellingham visitor center, Port Angeles rest area

The Inside Passage offers misty fjords, glaciers, and whale sightings. Watch for bald eagles and orcas from the deck. Once on the Olympic Peninsula, the landscape shifts to temperate rainforest. The Hoh Rain Forest is a must-see detour. Local commerce includes salmon fishing charters in Ketchikan and lavender farms in Sequim. The drive passes through quaint towns like Port Angeles. Discover more about how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Best stops include Sitka (via ferry) and Victoria, BC (via Coho Ferry from Port Angeles). However, border crossings require passports. Sequim's Lavender Festival in July draws crowds. For nature, Hurricane Ridge offers alpine views.

• Natural attractions: Misty Fjords, Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge
• Local commerce: Ketchikan totem poles, Sequim lavender, Dungeness crab

The only feasible route involves booking ferry passage on the Alaska Marine Highway System from Ketchikan to Bellingham. Ferries depart weekly; reserve months ahead. The drive from Bellingham follows I-5 south to WA-20 west, then US-101 north to Sequim. Cell service is intermittent on the ferry but good on the road. Fuel is available at Bellingham and along US-101. No tolls.

• Ferry cost: $350+ per vehicle plus cabin fees
• Driving distance: 120 miles
• Best fuel stop: Port Townsend (before Sequim)