Road Runner Express Car Wash opens in Mountlake Terrace on Earth Day

Mountlake Terrace City officials and staff and Mountlake Terrace Chamber of Commerce members celebrated the grand opening of Road Runner Express Car Wash on a rainy Wednesday, which coincided with Earth Day.

Road Runner co-owner Wayne Sharp thanked his business partner Jeff Miller, his wife and operations manager Shannon Brooks, Road Runner staff and project managers, the chamber of commerce and City officials and staff.

“What we’re bringing here is more than just a car wash. It’s a fast, high-quality service, local jobs, a business that’s committed to being part of the community,” Sharp said. “We’re excited to be here, excited for what’s ahead and grateful to be part of the community.”

Sharp said Road Runner Express Car Wash started in Monroe, where he used to live before moving to Lake Forest Park. He and the team opened a second location in Blaine before opening in Mountlake Terrace, located at 21327 44th Ave. W.

Before he got into the car wash business, Sharp said he worked in construction for about 30 years. “When I [built] my first car wash, I saw a need, and I thought, you know what? If I can build anything, I’ll build a car wash,” he said.

“We wouldn’t be here without Wayne’s vision. He drove by here and said, I think this is the site for our next car wash,” Miller said.

Sharp said the car wash is designed to reclaim up to about 80% of its water use and uses minimal fresh water from the City for the final rinse phase. The reclamation is processed beneath the car wash infrastructure.

With higher-density housing and stricter homeowners association rules, Sharp said many residents are discouraged or barred from washing cars on their driveways, where runoff can carry soap and grime into storm drains and local waterways.

“It’s better to consolidate these type of washing,” Sharp said.

Mayor Steve Woodard said that washing a car at home typically uses around 100 gallons of water, whereas using the car wash uses about 30 gallons. “I bet your number is even lower,” he said, pointing to Sharp. “The biodegradables that you use, if you’re doing this in your driveway, this is going right into our stormwater and sewer. The state-of-the-art technology you use here recycles that stuff and makes sure it’s not harming the Earth.”