Car Travel in Vancouver

Car Travel

Interstate 5 in Washington State becomes Highway 99 at the U.S.-Canada border. Vancouver is a three-hour drive (226 km [140 mi) from Seattle.

A car can be handy for touring areas outside the city center, but it isn't essential. On the compact downtown peninsula, however, it's generally easier to get around on foot or by public transport, especially in light of the congestion, limited parking, and many one-way streets.

Emergency Services

The British Columbia Automobile Association provides 24-hour emergency road service for members of the American and the Canadian automobile associations.

Information

British Columbia Automobile Association (604/293-2222 or 800/222-4357. www.bcaa.com).

Parking

Downtown Vancouver parking lots fill quickly. Two large underground pay parking garages that usually have space are the Library Square lot and the Pacific Centre lot. Parking fees run about C$3 an hour or C$7-C$14 a day. Don't leave anything in your car, even in the trunk; break-ins are quite common downtown (hotel parking tends to be more secure, though more expensive, than public lots). Parking outside the downtown core is an easier proposition.

Information

Library Square lot (775 Hamilton St., off Robson St., Downtown. 604/669-4183). Pacific Centre lot (700 block of Howe St., east side, Downtown. 604/684-9715).

Traffic

It's best to avoid border crossings during peak times such as holidays and weekends. Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, enters Vancouver from the east. To avoid traffic, arrive after rush hour (9 AM).

Vancouver's rush-hour traffic, about 7-9 weekday mornings and starting at 3 PM weekday afternoons, can be horrendous. The worst bottlenecks outside the city center are the North Shore bridges (especially the Lions Gate Bridge), the George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99 south of Vancouver, and Highway 1 through Coquitlam and Surrey.

Right turns are allowed at most red lights after you've come to a full stop.