Considering they carry millions of riders and thousands of cars across a body of water they’d otherwise have to drive around, yes, I think so.

Can you imagine I-5 traffic through Tacoma if everyone going to the OP had to bottleneck there as well

I hate driving. The ferry is 100% worth not driving for 3 hours.

Motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians are first on first off.

From your math, I would say it really all depends on how you feel that day. Either choice is good.

Absolutely worth it. Just time things appropriately and level expectations. The view and experience is totally worth it in my book

There's nothing like the ride to Vashon, Orcas Island, or Victoria on a nice day.

Plus, I used to commute from Vashon Island to college three times a week and it was cheaper back then, but worth it to work/live on Vashon and see the Orcas swim by.

Wear and tear- Seattle I-5 expansion joints took out my radial tires. Ferries are a relaxing way around them and the traffic.

if you’re stuck at the bainbridge terminal for more than 1/2 hour you have time to stroll into winslow & visit the excellent bakery, excellent t pizza joint, &/or excellent grocery store.

Yes, they are worth it. Driving from Kitsap to Seattle on I-5 would take you twice as long. Also whenever there is an accident (and there always is) it causes a 5-10 mile backup and delays your trip by at least an hour.
A calm trip over the sound is THE best way to travel.

Unfortunately the influx of people here in the last 5+ years have put a heavy strain on the ferry system. It’s unfortunate that ferry tourism is a thing now, because so many people rely on ferries as part of their commute.

It’s not normal you guys only have one ferry right now it will soon be back to regular two boat service. I would probably explore the Olympics on days it’s only one boat

The ferry is always fun. The price one pays for joy is worth the cost.

i used to live in port orchard and either drive around through tacoma or take the ferry. i always liked the ferry because i got to get out and relax, look at the mountain (on a clear day) and occasionally do an hour long power nap. Id say its worth it, but definitely check the scheduled times so that you dont pull up right as a ferry sails off, leaving you waiting for an additional hour- gotta time it just right!

I used to drive several times a month Woodinville to Bremerton.

Rush hour affects ferry's too.

Driving in rush hour was faster than waiting for the ferry. We rarely took the Seattle to Bremerton route. But, depending on timing, the Bremerton to Seattle made sense sometimes. Especially since driving required a toll for the bridge.

The ferry system make more sense going to south Whidbey.

Clinton>Mukilteo is pretty tough, especially from April to October. Most of the time in the summer it's much faster to just drive allll the way up Whidbey and then allll the way down on the 5. I'm sure there's very valid reasons for why they never built a bridge (it being basically unused for half of the year being one).

Edmonds>Kingston is also a crapshoot in my experience. Half the time it's fine, the other half they've cancelled the run.

I absolutely love the ferries, but I always have my Plan B.

I would think its safer and that makes it worth it.

Considering the 35-minute ferry trip from Bainbridge shaves 2 hours or so off a drive to Seattle, yes.

Just don’t drive then… rarely a wait for pedestrians or cyclists

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Worth it? Dunno about you but I love the boat ride! Where’s your value proposition about that part? I either roll up and right into the boat (score), roll up and see it just leaving (so sad) or roll into the waiting lot for 2-3 boats (in the summer). No matter the scenario, I always get a boat ride and don’t have to drive for a while. Once I’m committed I never bail (because boat rides) but there was one Thanksgiving I thought it would be easy towing our trailer onto the ferry to go camping along Agate Beach but there was a “Huge” line so we went around and took the ferry home. There was another time I was golfing at McCormick woods and it was late and I was hot and I didn’t want to deal with traffic so I took the Southworth-Vashon-Fauntleroy and it was glorious and cool.

If you need to travel from one side of the sound to the other quite frequently, then yes. It'll save you time,gas and depreciation of your car. For some trips, driving around would be faster, but then you're busy driving instead of relaxing

Would you rather be driving or relaxing?

I go to Vashon twice a week in a semi hauling a tanker. It cost 158.00 round trip. Sometimes have to wait a hour for a return ferry on winter schedule. Sucks Sometimes but it is the only way to get there. It is an awesome trip on a sunny warm day! I go early so I get alot of moon on the water pictures.

Oh my. I only lived there for five months but my favorite thing was riding the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston to see my daughter. An excuse to wax nostalgic.

You can get out of your car stretch your legs, use the bathroom, have a beer if you want, great people watching, maybe there is a puzzle, pretty cool/awesome views. and hello you’re on a boat! I just moved to kitsap. I think it’s the coolest thing. absolutely worth it.
We are spoiled. Don’t let the word get out.

Years ago it was quicker I found to drive from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Last 10 to 15 years it is a toss up with traffic even on a Sunday or Saturday.

It costs at least 50¢ per mile to drive. Plus the toll heading east if you take the bridge. Plus the time to drive.

After you figure the fiscal cost of driving then it’s “just” a matter of the time/effort value to you the ferry provides of its not the outright winner on the cost calculation alone.

If it’s a wash I’ll usually take the ferry to avoid the driving hassles and risks. I’m also more likely to ferry east and drive west.

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