This 80.3-mile drive from Anacortes, WA to Seattle, WA takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes and is a perfect option for a single-day trip. You'll navigate using local roads like Commercial Avenue, 22nd Street, and R Avenue, with no highway driving involved. Expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this journey. The route has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be making frequent turns rather than cruising on a straight path. This is a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stop, offering flexibility for when you depart and how you structure your time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.8 miles from Anacortes, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
60.1 mi
1h 11m
State Route 20
7 mi
9m
WA 536
5.4 mi
10m
State Route 20 Spur
2.5 mi
3m
R Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Commercial Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
5th Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Union Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 60.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anacortes, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on WA 20 SPUR
11 ft·4 sec·12th Street
2
Turn right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.6 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
3
Turn left onto 22nd Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
4
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
13 ft·0 sec·R Avenue
5
Continue on R Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·R Avenue
6
Turn left onto R Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·R Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork onto R Avenue
0.3 mi·45 sec·R Avenue
8
Take the ramp
215 ft·5 sec
9
Merge onto WA 20 SPUR
2.5 mi·3 min·State Route 20 Spur
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
167 ft·2 sec·State Route 20
11
Continue on WA 20
7.0 mi·9 min·State Route 20
12
Take the exit onto WA 536
5.4 mi·10 min·WA 536
Toward Mount VernonUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto WA 536
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Kincaid Street
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
15
Merge onto I 5
60 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 165BToward Union StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Continue on Union Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Union Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.3 mi·55 sec·5th Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft·9 sec·Madison Street
20
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 25 minutes, this route offers ample flexibility for when you choose to depart. There are no specific 'stops' recommended, so you can easily pull over as needed or drive straight through. The estimated fuel cost is $17, so ensure you have enough gas before you leave Anacortes. Pay close attention to your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means frequent adjustments are necessary. Keeping an eye on local traffic patterns will be key to a smooth journey into Seattle.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.8 miles from Anacortes, WA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.1 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 17 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Anacortes, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Anacortes, WA
This is one driving day of about 77.6 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Anacortes, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 60.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|R Avenue
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
1.5 mi into trip|~4m in|WA 20 SPUR / State Route 20 Spur
Merge onto WA 20 SPUR / State Route 20 Spur
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
11 mi into trip|~17m in|WA 536
Take the exit onto WA 536 toward Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Mount Vernon
7
77 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward Union Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 165B
Toward Union Street
7
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.24 one way
$32.48 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$17.03
$34.06
premium
$5.77
$17.62
$35.24
diesel
$5.61
$17.13
$34.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.3
0
$8.15
$3.72
Efficient EV
19.4
0
$6.79
$3.10
EV Truck/SUV
31
0
$10.86
$4.97
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Anacortes, WA
Late night
in Anacortes on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Seattle, WA
Late night
in Seattle on Tuesday
Local time
3:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
NNW 5 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 42m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is distinctly 'turn-heavy local.' With 0% highway share, you'll be engaged with city streets and local thoroughfares for the entire 80.3 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, suggesting a continuous series of turns and adjustments are part of the experience. This isn't a route for settling into a long, uninterrupted cruise; rather, it demands attention to navigation and local road conditions. You'll be actively managing your direction as you transition between Commercial Avenue, 22nd Street, and R Avenue.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.1 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and State Route 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near R Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.7 miles (R Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.5 miles (WA 20 SPUR / State Route 20 Spur): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (WA 536): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Anacortes, WA to Seattle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Mount Vernon along the way.
Anacortes is a city in the northwest region of Washington State. It's the ferry terminal gateway to the San Juan Islands. It is the only city on Fidalgo Island, which is separated from the mainland by the narrow Swinomish Channel. The island also includes the north section of Deception Pass State Park, and the Swinomish Indian Reservation.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 77.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m 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 60.1 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (R Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.5 miles (WA 20 SPUR / State Route 20 Spur): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11 miles (WA 536): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and San Juan Island National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Seattle, WA before heading back.
