How to navigate traffic and transit during Seattle’s first NCAA Tournament since 2015
Mar 21, 2025, 4:30 AM | Updated: 5:24 am
The NCAA March Madness logo on a basketball rack. (Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
(Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy, Getty Images)
A lot has changed since college hoops fans last showed up for the NCAA March Madness Tournament in Seattle, last held in 2015 before this year.
Climate Pledge Arena didn’t exist. The games were played at Key Arena. South Lake Union was in the middle of a massive transformation from industry to high-tech. Road diets were just getting going. Big Bertha was two years away from breaking through the new tunnel under the city. Two-way traffic was just starting on Mercer Street.
While there are more options to get to the games these days, it’s still not going to be easy to get around.
First, the good news. The games are being played on Friday and Sunday. Friday’s are usually a little lighter when it comes to traffic volumes. That should make the drives for the rest of us a little easier, but you should expect a lot of congestion on Interstate 5 (I-5) at the Mercer off-ramps. People driving to the games still have to go that way.
Light rail users should expect a lot more company getting into downtown Seattle from both the north and the south. Commuters will be sharing their trains with basketball fans. You should see the same thing on the Monorail, South Lake Union Streetcar, and potentially the Sounder.
For fans staying in downtown Seattle, the Monorail just might be your best option.
Related on MyNorthwest: Seattle hosts March Madness first and second rounds — game schedule, tickets and more
Check out more of Chris’ Chokepoints here. You can also follow Chris on X. Head here to follow KIRO Newsradio Traffic’s profile on X.
Follow @https://twitter.com/newsguysully
