Airway Heights, WA to Seattle, WA is 276.4 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, primarily on a well-traveled interstate. It's a straightforward drive that's easy to complete in a single day, making it ideal for those looking for efficient travel between these two Washington locations. Consider this route if you prefer minimal navigation and a consistent driving experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
138.2 miles from Airway Heights, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
269.5 mi
4h 54m
South Hayford Road
3.4 mi
5m
West Sunset Highway
1.5 mi
2m
West Geiger Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
Madison Street
0.1 mi
<1m
West Aero Road
0.1 mi
<1m
South Lundstrom Street
0.1 mi
<1m
West 12th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.5 mi, about 4h 54m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 189 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,111 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,772
Quietest
2 AM
~118 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Airway Heights, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on West 12th Avenue
42 ft·6 sec·West 12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Lundstrom Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·South Lundstrom Street
3
Turn left onto US 2
1.0 mi·1 min·West Sunset Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto West Sunset Highway
95 ft·1 sec·West Sunset Highway
5
Continue on West Sunset Highway
0.5 mi·53 sec·West Sunset Highway
6
Turn right onto South Hayford Road
3.4 mi·5 min·South Hayford Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto West Geiger Boulevard
0.2 mi·16 sec·West Geiger Boulevard
8
Enter roundabout onto West Aero Road
204 ft·4 sec·West Aero Road
9
Continue on West Aero Road
455 ft·9 sec·West Aero Road
10
Enter roundabout
18 ft·0 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
11
Continue
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
12
Merge onto I 90; US 395
51 mi·54 min·I 90; US 395
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
218 mi·3 hr 59 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 2CToward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, James Street, Madison StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward Madison Street, Convention PlaceUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim to leave Airway Heights in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic into Seattle. With a single recommended day, you can comfortably complete the 276.4 miles without needing an overnight stop. The $60 fuel cost estimate is manageable for a day trip. Since the majority of the drive is on I 90, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spaced out on longer interstate stretches, especially before reaching the populated areas near Seattle.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 138.2 miles from Airway Heights, WA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.2 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seattle, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Airway Heights, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Airway Heights, WA
This is one driving day of about 276.4 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Airway Heights, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 269.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 275.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|South Hayford Road
Turn right onto South Hayford Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
5.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Enter roundabout toward I 90 West: Seattle
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
6
56.6 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
275 mi into trip|~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, James Street, Madison Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, J...
8
275.9 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Madison Street, Convention Place
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Madison Street, Convention Place
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.61 one way
$119.22 round trip
$5.48/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.72
$62.26
$124.51
premium
$5.94
$64.61
$129.21
diesel
$6.18
$67.24
$134.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.9
1
$29.02
$13.27
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
EV Truck/SUV
110.6
1
$38.70
$17.69
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Airway Heights, WA
Late night
in Airway Heights on Saturday
Local time
3:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
36°F
Areas Of Frost
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Seattle, WA
Late night
in Seattle on Saturday
Local time
3:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 276.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 97% of the 276.4 miles on interstates. You'll spend most of your time on I 90, with a continuous stretch of 269.5 miles on this highway. The transition to surface roads happens late in the drive, with South Hayford Road and West Sunset Highway covering the final 6.9 miles. Expect frequent exit and entrance ramps as you approach your destination.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and South Hayford Road. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near South Hayford Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 276.4 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (South Hayford Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56.6 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Seattle, Washington sits at one of the most beautiful spots in the United States. Occupying a narrow isthmus between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it is the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, with 780,000 people in Seattle and over four million people in the metro area. Seen from above, carpets of evergreen trees, pristine blue waters, and snowy white mountains surround the downtown's metallic skyscrapers, earning the city its nickname The Emerald City.
On the ground, you will find a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Next to the progressive downtown and the freewheeling feel of Capitol Hill, you can find a laid-back atmosphere in the districts to the north and ethnically diverse neighborhoods to the south.
Top landmarks
•Space Needle — observation tower in Seattle, Washington, United States
•Climate Pledge Arena — sports arena in Seattle, Washington, USA
•Museum of Pop Culture — museum in Seattle, Washington, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 276.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 269.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Seattle, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (South Hayford Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 56.6 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Seattle, WA before the return drive.
