The main alternate route is a toll bridge unfortunately.

That does not answer the question.

The only option is "avoid ferries and tolls".

It’s not on the quick select pills so it’s not obvious but yes you can https://youtube.com/shorts/SA72d9VfsPg?is=F6zKWQNOkokN31F3

As for your other question, it looks like the guy was responding to an implied “I can’t turn off tolls as a hack bypass ferries because the bridge also requires a toll”. I’d speculate that it wasn’t obvious there’s a ferry-specific filter because the other filters show up as pills.

Link without tracking: https://youtube.com/shorts/SA72d9VfsPg

At least on Android google maps, there's an option to avoid ferries. But if you don't set the option before you get started, it's a pita to change options.

I don't have this option available on my Android app. I have "avoid tolls" which avoids both ferries and bridges. The main alternative to the ferries in Seattle is a toll bridge. Choosing this option sends you down surface streets.

I'm well aware of the washington state highway system. I live on the other side.

This is what my options screen looks like: https://what.pictures/route_options.jpeg

But, I usually plan my route in segments... I'll ask google for times from Colman Dock and use the WSDOT app / notifications and my understanding of typical traffic to guess how long the ferry will take. Plus, if it's important to arrive on the other side on time, I try to leave an extra ferry, in case an ambulance gets to ride the ferry all by itself and I have to wait for the next one... if I knew I wasn't going to get on that ferry, I might have driven around, but it's a lot more driving for me to go around if I actually need to head to Seattle. Seatac is a maybe, ferry is usually better, but not if I'm competing with tourist or gameday traffic.