AOU 2001 Meetings, Seattle, WA

Car Travel

Traffic: Seattle is now blessed with some of the worst traffic in the country, due partly to geography (many main arterials are constrained by water and hills) and partly to a recent population boom. For those unaccustomed to driving in large cities, Seattle can be stressful, especially during the summer when tourists swell the number using roads. To reduce the hassle, plan trips carefully and allow plenty of extra time to commute through the city or over bridges. Consider taking the bus for trips within the city. Ferries can also be a big bottleneck, especially on weekends.

Parking: It is extremely difficult to find free long-term street parking around the University of Washington Campus. If you are determined, try 15th Ave. NE and 17th Ave. NE north of campus (note hour restrictions on 15th) and side-streets nearby. Read signs carefully; some streets require special parking permits. Campus parking is generally $7/weekday; $3 Saturdays until 12:00; free on Sunday. The most convenient lots for meeting days will be those north of Kane Hall (N1-N5) or the Central Plaza Parking Garage, which is located under Red Square and has elevator and stair access to both Meany and Kane Halls. For those willing to walk 15-20 min., there is much cheaper daytime parking ($2.25) available in lot E1 (the Montlake Lot) on the east edge of campus, down the hill below the dorms. Note that this lot does not offer in/out privileges or overnight parking. See campus map for locations. More details on UW parking policies can be found here.


	Car Travel Traffic: Seattle is now blessed with some of the worst traffic in the country, due partly to geography (many main arterials are constrained by water and hills) and partly to a recent population boom. For those unaccustomed to driving in large cities, Seattle can be stressful, especially during the summer when tourists swell the number using roads. To reduce the hassle, plan trips carefully and allow plenty of extra time to commute through the city or over bridges. Consider taking the bus for trips within the city. Ferries can also be a big bottleneck, especially on weekends. Parking: It is extremely difficult to find free long-term street parking around the University of Washington Campus. If you are determined, try 15th Ave. NE and 17th Ave. NE north of campus (note hour restrictions on 15th) and side-streets nearby. Read signs carefully; some streets require special parking permits. Campus parking is generally $7/weekday; $3 Saturdays until 12:00; free on Sunday. The most convenient lots for meeting days will be those north of Kane Hall (N1-N5) or the Central Plaza Parking Garage, which is located under Red Square and has elevator and stair access to both Meany and Kane Halls. For those willing to walk 15-20 min., there is much cheaper daytime parking ($2.25) available in lot E1 (the Montlake Lot) on the east edge of campus, down the hill below the dorms. Note that this lot does not offer in/out privileges or overnight parking. See campus map for locations. More details on UW parking policies can be found here.
Directions to the University of Washington Campus From the Airport: If you are flying into Seattle, you will be landing at Seattle-Tacoma International (nearly always referred to as "SeaTac"). See its excellent website for airport information and various transport options. Campus is about a half-hour (20 mi.) north of SeaTac in normal traffic. If you are driving from the airport, turn left out of the parking areas onto International Blvd. and follow signs to Seattle and I-5 north (you will exit to the right on WA 518 east, then again to the left to merge onto I-5 northbound). Drive about 14 miles north through the city, then take exit 169 (NE 45th St. and NE 50th St.). Stay in the right-hand lane as you merge onto 7th Ave. NE; turn right onto NE 45th St. This is the main road bordering the north side of UW Campus. *From other destinations: The University of Washington Campus is northeast of downtown Seattle. If you are coming from destinations south or east of Seattle, take I-5 into the city or take I-90 until its junction with I-5, then head north. From I-5, take exit 169 (NE 45th St. and NE 50th St.). Stay in the right-hand lane as you merge onto 7th Ave. NE; turn right onto NE 45th. This is the main road bordering the north side of UW Campus. From destinations north of Seattle, take I-5 south to exit 169 (NE 45th St. and NE 50th St.); stay left and take the left-hand turn onto NE 45th St. From NE 45th St., there are two main destinations for the conference: Dorms* Drive straight east on NE 45th until you come to 17th Ave. NE. Turn right. You will be entering UW Campus at its North Entrance. On your right will be the Burke Museum, the site of the Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening. On your left will be a traffic booth. You can ask directions/purchase parking permits at this booth. Turn left just past the booth to drive onto Stevens Way (this is the main road through campus, and it winds its way in a semicircle, exiting onto 15th Ave. NE). The dorms will be on your left just as the drive begins to curve right and south. Underground Parking Garage (Below Main Meeting Areas) If you wish to park in the Central Plaza Parking Garage, drive straight east on NE 45th until you come to 15th Ave. NE. Turn right. Drive south for several blocks until you see a left turn lane into the garage; alternatively, you can proceed another block or so south and turn left onto Stevens Way, entering the garage on your left, just past the traffic booth.