Washington State Ferries (WSF), the largest ferry system in the United States, expects approximately 400,000 passengers during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, July 2 through July 6. The holiday coincides with added tourism from World Cup matches in Seattle.
The agency expects the busiest sailings times for vehicles will likely be westbound or onto an island on Thursday and Friday, followed by eastbound or off island on Sunday and Monday.
Travelers should expect long lines and extended wait times, and those using state highways to get to the ferry terminal should plan for travel backups and delays by checking real-time traffic. The agency suggests passengers consider taking early-morning or late-night sailings or using transit to walk or bike onto the ferry if possible.
All routes will operate on their normal Saturday schedules on the holiday while the Seattle/Bainbridge Island and Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth runs have different timetables for weekdays and weekends. It is illegal to transport or set off fireworks aboard a state ferry.
Through June 28, WSF has had more than 9.4 million riders, an increase of nearly 425,000 people compared to June 28, 2025. Current trends suggest 2026 could surpass 2025’s ridership that was the highest in six years.