Clear Lake, WA to Vancouver, WA is 233.3 miles and takes about 4h 40m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, traversing the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that's ideal for a single day. Expect a consistent pace, with plenty of services along the way for any needs that arise. This route is a practical choice for connecting these two points efficiently.
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
116.6 miles from Clear Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
225.6 mi
4h 23m
East College Way
3.5 mi
7m
State Route 9
3.2 mi
6m
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
0.2 mi
<1m
College Way
0.1 mi
<1m
West College Way
<0.1 mi
<1m
Lake Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 225.6 mi, about 4h 23m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 628 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,621 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,327
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
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 Clear Lake, WA and Vancouver, WA.
1
Start on this road
25 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Lake Street
181 ft·16 sec·Lake Street
3
Turn left onto WA 9
3.2 mi·6 min·State Route 9
4
Enter roundabout onto WA 538
59 ft·1 sec·College Way
5
Continue on WA 538
0.1 mi·10 sec·College Way
6
Continue on WA 538
3.5 mi·7 min·East College Way
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 538
408 ft·14 sec·West College Way
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 5 South: SeattleUse the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 5
93 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
6.2 mi·7 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 1DToward 4th Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
242 ft·13 sec
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard EastUse the left lane.
14
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 40m duration, leaving Clear Lake in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive in Vancouver with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop and a 233.3-mile total distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 225.6-mile stretch on I 5, as services can be more spread out between major exits. The estimated fuel cost is $49, so budget accordingly. This is a manageable drive for a single day, allowing for spontaneous breaks if desired.
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 116.6 miles from Clear Lake, WA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 225.6 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 51 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.6 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vancouver, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clear Lake, 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 Clear Lake, WA
This is one driving day of about 233.3 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Clear Lake, 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 5 for about 225.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 233.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.9 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
6
100.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
226.7 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Take the exit toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
8
233.1 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.32 one way
$100.63 round trip
$5.48/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.72
$52.55
$105.10
premium
$5.94
$54.53
$109.06
diesel
$6.18
$56.75
$113.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.50
$11.20
Efficient EV
58.3
0
$20.41
$9.33
EV Truck/SUV
93.3
1
$32.66
$14.93
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Clear Lake, WA
Late night
in Clear Lake on Monday
Local time
2:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Areas Of Fog
E 1 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Vancouver, WA
Late night
in Vancouver on Monday
Local time
2:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 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
5 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
4h 40m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on I 5, accounting for 98% of the total mileage. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on I 5 for 225.6 miles. Surface roads, specifically East College Way and State Route 9, come into play near the beginning and end of the route. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic typical of major interstate travel for most of the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 225.6 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and East College Way. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 233.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Vancouver is a city in southwest Washington State, immediately north of the border with Oregon. The city was established around Fort Vancouver, a fur trading outpost dating back to 1824, making this one of the oldest continuously-inhabited European communities in the Pacific Northwest. Two bridges across the Columbia River connect Vancouver to the rest of the Portland Metropolitan Area.
Top landmarks
•Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site of the United States in Washington (state)
•House of Providence — commonly known as the Academy building or Academy Building
•Interstate Bridge — highway bridge in Oregon and Washington, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 233.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 225.6 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Vancouver, 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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 100.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 226.7 miles (I 5): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Vancouver, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
