Travel during winter

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December 19th, 2012 at 12:57:07 PM permalink
aluisio
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 2
Posts: 9
Hello, folks! I would like some advice for a roadtrip I am planning next February.
I would like to go on a day trip from Vancouver-BC (Canada) to Tulalip-WA (Outlets near Seattle) with a rental car. Do you guys think that I would be safe renting a standard car, such as a Toyota Camry? Would I need AWD? Chains? Does anyone have information about gas availability in that area? Thanks in advance!
December 19th, 2012 at 1:40:22 PM permalink
AcesAndEights
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 6
Posts: 351
Quote: aluisio
Hello, folks! I would like some advice for a roadtrip I am planning next February.
I would like to go on a day trip from Vancouver-BC (Canada) to Tulalip-WA (Outlets near Seattle) with a rental car. Do you guys think that I would be safe renting a standard car, such as a Toyota Camry? Would I need AWD? Chains? Does anyone have information about gas availability in that area? Thanks in advance!

I live in the general area - I-5 is usually pretty clear. Chains would be serious overkill, AWD may be advisable depending on the weather conditions at the time. Just remember that all wheel drive DOES NOT EQUAL all wheel stop.

There is gas everywhere, you won't have any issues if you are worried about running out between gas stations or anything.

Let me guess, you are flying in to Vancouver from somewhere far away and want to visit the Tulalip Casino? Or are you just going shopping at the outlets? :) FYI there are some decent casinos in Vancouver, although I have only been to one of them. BJ seems to be heavily weighted toward CSMs, if you are one of those pesky card counters.
"You think I'm joking." -EvenBob
December 19th, 2012 at 1:55:36 PM permalink
AZDuffman
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 135
Posts: 18136
Quote: aluisio
Hello, folks! I would like some advice for a roadtrip I am planning next February.
I would like to go on a day trip from Vancouver-BC (Canada) to Tulalip-WA (Outlets near Seattle) with a rental car. Do you guys think that I would be safe renting a standard car, such as a Toyota Camry? Would I need AWD? Chains? Does anyone have information about gas availability in that area? Thanks in advance!


Unless you are doing some serious mountain driving a regular car should be fine. People managed without 4WD for 100 years. As the other poster said 4wd <> 4ws. Truth is 4wd is useful mostly when you are stuck. If you are rolling there is minimal difference. And do notice how the ditch by the road attracts 4wd SUVs like a magnet. Knowing how to drive in snow is what counts.
The President is a fink.
December 19th, 2012 at 2:02:25 PM permalink
jml24
Member since: Dec 6, 2012
Threads: 0
Posts: 26
I live in Seattle. Tulalip is about 40 minutes North. Vancouver to Tulalip is an easy trip. You are unlikely to encounter any snow in February although it is statistically possible. I would not be concerned with renting an AWD vehicle. You should be able to drive from Vancouver to Tulalip and back without filling up but if you did need gas you will find it at every highway exit and a large tribal station near the outlets. The area you are talking about is semi-rural but not remote. Your biggest challenges will be the border crossings and the Vancouver traffic.
December 19th, 2012 at 4:26:55 PM permalink
aluisio
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 2
Posts: 9
Quote: AcesAndEights

Let me guess, you are flying in to Vancouver from somewhere far away and want to visit the Tulalip Casino? Or are you just going shopping at the outlets? :) FYI there are some decent casinos in Vancouver, although I have only been to one of them. BJ seems to be heavily weighted toward CSMs, if you are one of those pesky card counters.


Thanks for the advice, AcesAndEights! And regarding the quote, you were right! I will be spending the night at the Tulalip Casino, which I heard is very upscale. Are you a regular? I do not plan on gambling too much in Canada because my canadian funds are kinda limited...

AZDuffman and jml24, your advice was really useful too... I think that everything is going to be determined upon my arrival in Canada, based on weather forecasts... I must confess I do not have good memories about driving during snowstorms. Last time I was stuck for a whole night in Maryland, on my way back from Washington, DC to Harrisburg-PA and it was not pleasant at all. I am not used to deal with the chains, but I will figure it out until the time has come. It also makes me happy to know that it's unlikely to have snow during February! By the way, is it crossing the border way a big deal?
December 19th, 2012 at 6:02:32 PM permalink
AcesAndEights
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 6
Posts: 351
Quote: aluisio
Thanks for the advice, AcesAndEights! And regarding the quote, you were right! I will be spending the night at the Tulalip Casino, which I heard is very upscale. Are you a regular?

I am definitely not a regular at Tulalip, as there are much closer "casinos" (aka card rooms) to me, but of the full-service casinos in the area (which are all tribal), it's the one I have visited the most. I have never stayed in the hotel there so I don't know about the accommodations.


Quote: aluisio
By the way, is it crossing the border way a big deal?

It's not a big deal, but it can take a while depending on the time of day. I would avoid it on Friday afternoons/evenings and Sunday afternoon/evenings if you can, as well as all rush hours during the week I suppose. Basically noon on a weekday would be your best bet for short lines. What's your citizenship? For US citizens, you definitely need a passport to get back into the US, it used to be sufficient to just have a driver's license from a US state, no longer. I have no idea what the rules are for other foreign nationals.
"You think I'm joking." -EvenBob
December 20th, 2012 at 10:02:55 AM permalink
jml24
Member since: Dec 6, 2012
Threads: 0
Posts: 26
Tulalip is upscale by tribal casino standards but not by Vegas standards. I have never stayed at the hotel but I play at the casino once or twice a year. It mainly caters to the older slot-playing crowd. Only Class II slots (Video Lottery Terminals) are allowed in WA which means no video poker. Since VP is the only "slot" game I play that means nothing for me. The craps tables are usually $5 minimums, other table games are $15+ minimum on weekends. There is also a decent sized poker room. One reason I don't go there often is that the tribal casinos are one of the few public places left in the state where smoking is allowed. It is extremely smoky.

The outlet mall at Tulalip is pretty big, similar in size and selection to the Premium Outlets in LV (maybe even the same ownership because of the same name.) There is also a Cabela's if you are into outdoorsy stuff.
December 20th, 2012 at 10:50:56 AM permalink
Ayecarumba
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 89
Posts: 1744
If you haven't done so already, be sure to check with the rental car company regarding their policy for taking vehicles across borders. I don't know if there are driver's license requirement differences between the US and Canada, but insurance may be more expensive if they know you will be crossing the line.
December 21st, 2012 at 1:33:41 PM permalink
aluisio
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 2
Posts: 9
Well, my plans are to cross the border Sunday early in the morning, around 7am, in order to get to the outlets by 9am. I've heard I can take a little longer option and enjoy a scenic drive on my way to Tulalip, so I am still considering that option if it's safe. I plan to spend the day at the outlets (fiancee's request) and go to the Casino to gamble at night. Sleep and leave Monday after brunch. I believe these plans are adequate in timing.
I was also concerned about crossing the border with a rental car, but I have talked to friends and Enterprise Canada (where I am used to book cars in North America) says that I can go to any bordering territory or US state from British Columbia with unlimited mileage. If I go further I will be charged $0,25/mile and I must not cross the Mexican border (which I do not intend to do).
I usually don'y pay for insurance when I rent a car, never had a problem before and since I pay the rental with my Platinum Mastercard, I have the value of the vehicle covered in case of something happens. Do you think this is a mistake? Would you guys buy insurance from the rental as well? Thanks for all the support again!
December 21st, 2012 at 2:26:00 PM permalink
AZDuffman
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 135
Posts: 18136
Verify your personal insurance covers in Canada. For short visits it usually does. Ask the person there if you need the suplement.
The President is a fink.
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