Tidal cancellations and travel restrictions

Learn about when to avoid certain routes during low tides so you do not damage your vehicle from scraping or getting caught on the loading ramps.

Port Townsend/Coupeville route tidal cancellations

Our Port Townsend/Coupeville route is subject to scheduled cancellations or adjustments to sailing times due to tidal currents. Visit our Port Townsend/Coupeville tide cancellations page to view dates and times of all upcoming sailing times canceled or adjusted for tidal currents.

Low tide travel restrictions 

At low tides, some of our loading ramps have a steep slope that causes an extreme angle for:

  • Trucks
  • RVs with a low ground clearance
  • Vehicles towing a trailer

People driving these vehicles should wait for a ferry when the tide is higher for safe clearance and to avoid damage to your vehicle. Below are the routes with low tide warnings.

Vashon Island routes

Trucks with a ground clearance of less than 14 inches should not travel on our Fauntleroy/Vashon, Southworth/Vashon and Point Defiance/Tahlequah routes during the following dates and times:

May 2026

  • Saturday, May 2: 11:45 a.m. to 12:31 p.m. (-1.3 feet)
  • Sunday, May 3: 12:01 to 1:16 p.m. (-1.5 feet)
  • Monday, May 4: 12:40 to 1:48 p.m. (-1.5 feet)
  • Friday, May 15: 9:35 to 11:23 a.m. (-1.8 feet)
  • Saturday, May 16: 9:38 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. (-3.1 feet)
  • Sunday, May 17: 10:06 a.m. to 1:38 p.m. (-3.8 feet)
  • Monday, May 18: 10:49 a.m. to 2:29 p.m. (-4.1 feet)
  • Tuesday, May 19: 10:40 a.m. to 3:16 p.m. (-3.8 feet)
  • Wednesday, May 20: 12:46 to 3:53 p.m. (-3.1 feet)
  • Thursday, May 21: 2:11 to 4:17 p.m. (-2.0 feet)
  • Friday, May 29: 10:20 to 11:03 a.m. (-1.3 feet)
  • Saturday, May 30: 10:21 to 11:57 a.m. (-1.7 feet)
  • Sunday, May 31: 10:42 a.m. to 12:37 p.m. (-1.9 feet)

June 2026

  • Monday, June 1: 11:14 a.m. to 1:14 p.m. (-1.9 feet)
  • Tuesday, June 2: 11:53 a.m. to 1:46 p.m. (-1.9 feet)
  • Wednesday, June 3: 12:42 to 2:16 p.m. (-1.7 feet)
  • Friday, June 12: 8:25 to 10:11 a.m. (-1.8 feet)
  • Saturday, June 13: 8:28 to 11:36 a.m. (-3.1 feet)
  • Sunday, June 14: 8:57 a.m. to 12:38 p.m. (-3.9 feet)
  • Monday, June 15: 9:39 a.m. to 1:32 p.m. (-4.4 feet)
  • Tuesday, June 16: 10:30 a.m. to 2:19 p.m. (-4.3 feet)
  • Wednesday, June 17: 11:27 a.m. to 2:58 p.m. (-3.8 feet)
  • Thursday, June 18: 12:37 to 3:28 p.m. (-2.8 feet)
  • Friday, June 19: 2:23 to 3:22 a.m. (-1.4 feet)
  • Sunday, June 28: 9:59 to 11:27 a.m. (-1.6 feet)
  • Monday, June 29: 10:26 a.m. to 12:13 p.m. (-1.8 feet)
  • Tuesday, June 30: 10:57 a.m. to 12:52 p.m. (-1.9 feet)

See the schedule for our Fauntleroy/Vashon, Southworth/Vashon or Point Defiance/Tahlequah route.

Edmonds/Kingston and Mukilteo/Clinton routes

There are a few times each year when trucks with a ground clearance of less than 10 inches should not travel on our Edmonds/Kingston and Mukilteo/Clinton routes. Sign up for rider alerts for these routes to be notified of these occasions.

See the schedule for our Edmonds/Kingston or Mukilteo/Clinton route.

Slow down – lives are on the line.

Drive the posted speeds, they’re there for your safety.

Phone down, eyes up.

Pay attention – both to workers directing you and to surrounding traffic.

Stay calm

Expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible; no appointment is worth risking someone’s life.