Traveling from Blaine to Seattle covers 111.2 miles of Pacific Coast terrain, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Because the route is primarily a highway-focused drive, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $23 on fuel for the trek, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will be traveling entirely within Washington, moving down the state's coast toward the urban hub of Seattle. This trip is best viewed as a direct transit rather than a multi-day excursion, offering a reliable path between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Blaine, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
110 mi
2h 9m
5th Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
H Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Peace Portal Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Union Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Madison Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 110 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on H Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·H Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto WA 548
0.2 mi·38 sec·Peace Portal Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South
4
Merge onto I 5
110 mi·2 hr 9 min·I 5
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 165BToward Union StreetUse the slight right lane.
6
Continue on Union Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·Union Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.3 mi·55 sec·5th Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft·9 sec·Madison Street
9
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
10
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 111.2-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning around Seattle's notorious traffic patterns is always a smart move. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, you won't need to worry about frequent stops for navigation, but feel free to pull off as needed for a quick break. Keep your fuel budget of $23 in mind when budgeting for the day, and ensure your tank is ready for the long 110-mile stretch on I-5. A practical tip for this specific drive is to keep an eye on your GPS as you approach the city, as the transition from I-5 to the local streets of 5th Avenue and H Street can be abrupt.
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 55.6 miles from Blaine, WA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 6m 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 48m
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 Blaine, 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 Blaine, WA
This is one driving day of about 111.2 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Blaine, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 110 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 111 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive
At end of road, turn right onto WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 5 South
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
110.6 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
111 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.27 one way
$46.55 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$24.41
$48.81
premium
$5.77
$25.25
$50.50
diesel
$5.61
$24.55
$49.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 15, 2026
Origin
Blaine, WA
Evening
in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Seattle, WA
Evening
in Seattle on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Burlington, WA
56 mi in
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
1 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
2h 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 111.2
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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 26.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 99% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a massive 110-mile stretch of the journey. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads or technical turns. As you navigate toward Seattle, you will eventually transition off the main highway onto 5th Avenue and H Street to reach your final destination. It is a predictable, high-speed corridor that demands steady focus rather than complex maneuvering.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and 5th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 13m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 110 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.6 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
