Spanning 292.9 miles across Washington State, your trip from Colfax to Everett is a straightforward journey typically taking 5 hours and 55 minutes. Because this route is designed for efficiency, it functions perfectly as a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $61 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing WA 26, I-90, and I-405, you stay on high-speed thoroughfares for the vast majority of your travel. This highway-focused path provides a practical way to cross the state, though you should be prepared for a consistent pace throughout the journey.
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
146.5 miles from Colfax, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 26
129.3 mi
2h 44m
I 90
127.9 mi
2h 21m
I 405
18.4 mi
23m
I 5
9.1 mi
11m
Colfax Airport Road
3 mi
4m
Broadway
0.9 mi
1m
West Fairview Street
0.6 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 129.3 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, WA and Everett, WA.
1
Start on this road
98 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto WA 272
138 ft·12 sec·East Canyon Street
3
Turn left onto US 195
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
4
Continue on South Main Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·South Main Street
5
Turn right onto West Fairview Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Fairview Street
6
Continue on West Almota Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Almota Road
7
Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road
3.0 mi·4 min·Colfax Airport Road
8
Turn left onto WA 26
129 mi·2 hr 44 min·WA 26
9
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 90
128 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi·2 min·I 405
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 5
9.1 mi·11 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 192Toward Everett City Center, Naval Station, Port of EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward BroadwayUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto Broadway
0.9 mi·1 min·Broadway
21
Turn left onto Hewitt Avenue
128 ft·2 sec·Hewitt Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
Hewitt Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for this 292.9-mile haul is simple since the route requires only one major stop to keep you refreshed. Given the duration of nearly six hours, try to depart early in the morning to avoid congestion as you approach the Everett area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 129.3-mile stretch on WA 26, as service stations may be spaced out. Since this is an intense highway drive, schedule your single break strategically to break up the monotony of the interstate. Staying flexible with your departure time will help you navigate the transition onto I-405 with much less stress.
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 146.5 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 3h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.3 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 64 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 3h 7m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Everett, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colfax, 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 Colfax, WA
This is one driving day of about 292.9 miles and 5h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Colfax, 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 WA 26 for about 129.3 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 262.4 and 291.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
262.4 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
262.6 mi into trip|~5h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
7
281.5 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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.
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
8
291.1 mi into trip|~5h 51m in
Take the exit toward Everett City Center, Naval Station, Port of Everett
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 192
Toward Everett City Center, Naval Station, Port...
7
291.4 mi into trip|~5h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Broadway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Broadway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.30 one way
$122.60 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$64.29
$128.58
premium
$5.77
$66.51
$133.03
diesel
$5.61
$64.67
$129.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.75
$14.06
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.63
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.01
$18.75
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Colfax, WA
Evening
in Colfax on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Everett, WA
Evening
in Everett on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live 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
12 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 55m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 262.6
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 transit, as this route consists of 97% highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on WA 26, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 129.3 miles. The character of the drive is defined by these fast, high-speed corridors that prioritize steady progress over local stops. As you transition from the eastern portion of the state toward the I-90 and I-405 segments, the road environment shifts to accommodate heavier traffic flows. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate a predictable road surface and minimal turns.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.3 mi on WA 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 262.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 292.9 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 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Colfax, WA to Everett, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Everett is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, 28 mi (45 km) north of Seattle at the edge of its metropolitan area. The city supports one of Boeing's oldest and largest airplane manufacturing centers, which includes the world's largest building by volume.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 292.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 55m 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 129.3 miles on WA 26. 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 Everett, 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 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 262.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Everett, WA before the return drive.
