SEATTLE — Pike Place Market could soon change who is allowed to drive through the market and when.
This is part of their seasonal closure restrictions lifting for through-traffic. Pike Place COO Katie Trent said right now cars are not allowed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 7 days a week because there are too many people visiting for driving to be safe, but in the off-season, the number drops drastically.
“We see an average of 20-30,000 visitors in the spring and summer versus 5-7,000 in the winter,” Trent said.
She said their new proposal, in collaboration with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), would draw back the restrictions.
It shows that from October 1-March 31, cars would be allowed through the market streets at any time Monday-Thursday and before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Emergency and delivery vehicles would have access at any time.
“When it’s nice out, people like to be here and enjoy the market without a lot of car interference, and we also know that in January when it’s 40 degrees and raining it’s less critical,” Trent said.
She said SDOT surveyed people in June to see how they want to move forward.
Trent tells us everyone overall wants to feel safe while visiting, but locals prefer easy access when possible, and vendors want as much business as they can.
The Pike Place Historical Commission is scheduled to discuss the SDOT proposal to bring cars back to the market during its upcoming meeting on August 26.
©2026 Cox Media Group
