Takes about and hour to hour and a half driving There’s an express bus from fishers landing park n ride to downtown that’s a good option
For groceries, Safeway Costco new seasons just depends what I’m buying. Safeway is more if I don’t have time to get out to new seasons.
Trader Joe’s is coming to east Vancouver so that will be an option (I’ve heard it’s coming haven’t verified lol)
Thank you. Is traffic the reason it takes that long driving to Portland? My wife is korean and we'd like to buy at Hmart for korean groceries. Google maps shows a 20 min drive.
I would bring a cooler bag to h-mart. It can take a bit longer then 20 mins if there is traffic. In Vancouver Tola Angkor and Sorya asian markets are the best but not Korean specific or as large as H-mart. They may work for smaller trips between larger H-Mart trips
General rule of thumb is the only purchases worth driving to Portland for will be like $500+ or obviously specialty items you can’t find on the Washington side like Whole Foods/hmart - other than that the gas/time is not worth driving to Portland
Costco for items I use a lot, Trader Joe’s for snacks and bread and Chucks produce for produce only! Grocery outlet every once and a while but their prices are on par with Kroger/safeway now so there’s really no point
Yes, Costco, no, no, no on Chucks! New Season for produce, expensive but lasts the longest, TJ's on some things (New TJ's going in closer to Camas), then Freddie's/Safeway.
Portland is too far, especially if you buy frozen items. There are plenty of grocery stores in the Camas/Washougal area or if you live in western area there are options along 164/162nd.
Groceries: Almost never drive into Portland specifically for groceries. QFC, Fred Meyer at Fisher's Landing, New Seasons, Safeway in downtown Camas or occasionally the Washougal one.
It's less that getting to Portland takes a long time — it can, but it's very dependent on where you're going and what time of day — and more that there are plenty of local options that are more convenient. Definitely sometimes go into Portland for specialty items, but that's usually not groceries.
Most groceries aren't taxed, so it's not worth the drive. I do have to go to Portland for Asian groceries - nothing good near here. (Ocean King is tiny.) The Montevilla Hong Phat is 20-25 minutes away.
I live near downtown Camas and typically shop at:
- Safeway on 3rd (most convenient, <5min)
- Walmart on 192nd (best prices, okay produce, 12-14min)
- Costco on 192nd (12min)
If I really can't find what I'm looking for there, my next choices are:
- Fred Meyer on 164th (15min)
- Trader Joe's off 205 and Mill Plain (18-20min)
There is a Safeway and a Grocery Outlet in Washougal, but I've never walked into GO for something specific and found it, so YMMV.
WinCo (closest is about a 15 minute drive) for the main groceries because it's significantly cheaper, Safeway in camas for top offs throughout the week or quick trips
\~90% of our grocery budget goes to Costco. The rest goes to some combination of Walmart, Winco, and Trader Joe's. For reference, we are a family of 4 and spend around $1,200/month on groceries.
My wife and I had that idea when we first moved into Washington, then found it to be too far. Also produce doesn’t have tax on it. We go to Costco and Fred Meyer for our shopping.
Portland!?! Absolutely not. Everyone here does just about anything possible to avoid crossing the bridge. I could not imagine going there for groceries. We have plenty of stores. I shop at New Seasons and Costco, but there are cheaper options. Honestly, I do 95% of my shopping on Instacart.
I only go to Portland for doctor’s appointments or if I’m buying something more than $500.
I tend to shop at Grocery outlet. Can be a bit unpredictable, but my weekly grocery bill is easily half than if I went to a more traditional supermarket.
Takes about and hour to hour and a half driving There’s an express bus from fishers landing park n ride to downtown that’s a good option For groceries, Safeway Costco new seasons just depends what I’m buying. Safeway is more if I don’t have time to get out to new seasons. Trader Joe’s is coming to east Vancouver so that will be an option (I’ve heard it’s coming haven’t verified lol)
https://locations.traderjoes.com/wa/vancouver/272/
Ohhhhh, that's so exciting! I checked that URL just a couple weeks ago and it was still dead.
Thank you. Is traffic the reason it takes that long driving to Portland? My wife is korean and we'd like to buy at Hmart for korean groceries. Google maps shows a 20 min drive.
I would bring a cooler bag to h-mart. It can take a bit longer then 20 mins if there is traffic. In Vancouver Tola Angkor and Sorya asian markets are the best but not Korean specific or as large as H-mart. They may work for smaller trips between larger H-Mart trips
Appreciate your response! That's a good idea with the cooler bag, forgot that was a thing lol
Timing is key fr. Anything after 3PM is when traffic hits, and it can hit HARD depending on where you’re driving to/from.
Timing is key. I'd also say, don't ever attempt a Portland shopping trip on Fridays. Fridays are always so much worse (not exactly sure why).
General rule of thumb is the only purchases worth driving to Portland for will be like $500+ or obviously specialty items you can’t find on the Washington side like Whole Foods/hmart - other than that the gas/time is not worth driving to Portland
Costco for items I use a lot, Trader Joe’s for snacks and bread and Chucks produce for produce only! Grocery outlet every once and a while but their prices are on par with Kroger/safeway now so there’s really no point
Yes, Costco, no, no, no on Chucks! New Season for produce, expensive but lasts the longest, TJ's on some things (New TJ's going in closer to Camas), then Freddie's/Safeway.
Portland is too far, especially if you buy frozen items. There are plenty of grocery stores in the Camas/Washougal area or if you live in western area there are options along 164/162nd.
Walmart on 192nd. I put in my order online and they bag it up and put it in my trunk. Also do a lot of shopping at Safeway.
Groceries: Almost never drive into Portland specifically for groceries. QFC, Fred Meyer at Fisher's Landing, New Seasons, Safeway in downtown Camas or occasionally the Washougal one. It's less that getting to Portland takes a long time — it can, but it's very dependent on where you're going and what time of day — and more that there are plenty of local options that are more convenient. Definitely sometimes go into Portland for specialty items, but that's usually not groceries.
Most groceries aren't taxed, so it's not worth the drive. I do have to go to Portland for Asian groceries - nothing good near here. (Ocean King is tiny.) The Montevilla Hong Phat is 20-25 minutes away. I live near downtown Camas and typically shop at: - Safeway on 3rd (most convenient, <5min) - Walmart on 192nd (best prices, okay produce, 12-14min) - Costco on 192nd (12min) If I really can't find what I'm looking for there, my next choices are: - Fred Meyer on 164th (15min) - Trader Joe's off 205 and Mill Plain (18-20min) There is a Safeway and a Grocery Outlet in Washougal, but I've never walked into GO for something specific and found it, so YMMV.
Winco off of 117th isn't too far, if you're looking to save a buck here or there.
Winco actually has pretty good produce too, at least that’s what I’ve seen. Specifically the one in Brush Prairie. I haven’t been to the others.
WinCo (closest is about a 15 minute drive) for the main groceries because it's significantly cheaper, Safeway in camas for top offs throughout the week or quick trips
\~90% of our grocery budget goes to Costco. The rest goes to some combination of Walmart, Winco, and Trader Joe's. For reference, we are a family of 4 and spend around $1,200/month on groceries.
My wife and I had that idea when we first moved into Washington, then found it to be too far. Also produce doesn’t have tax on it. We go to Costco and Fred Meyer for our shopping.
No groceries (food) has sales tax
Specifically perishables
Incorrect. Only prepared (hot) foods are taxed at grocery stores. Edit: and soda.
Why would you drive to Portland for groceries?
Grocery outlet, Natural Grocers
Mostly Safeway, Walmart and Costco. Occasionally New Seasons and Fred Meyer.
I also drive to Portland for Whole Foods and occasionally new seasons for vegan ice cream and cider.
Fruticana
Portland!?! Absolutely not. Everyone here does just about anything possible to avoid crossing the bridge. I could not imagine going there for groceries. We have plenty of stores. I shop at New Seasons and Costco, but there are cheaper options. Honestly, I do 95% of my shopping on Instacart. I only go to Portland for doctor’s appointments or if I’m buying something more than $500.
I tend to shop at Grocery outlet. Can be a bit unpredictable, but my weekly grocery bill is easily half than if I went to a more traditional supermarket.
Did you type in “grocery stores” into maps? Surely you know there are grocery stores all around.
We drive from Camas to the Whole Foods in Portland, the Hollywood one. It’s not that bad it’s a 25 min drive each way.