Traveling from Colfax to Seattle is a straightforward 271.3-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 27 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day, though you should budget approximately $57 for fuel. You will transition from the eastern side of Washington toward the Pacific Coast, navigating a mix of state roads and major interstates. It is a practical route for those looking to reach the coast efficiently without needing an overnight stay. Keep in mind that while the drive is manageable for a solo driver, the duration is significant enough that you should plan for at least one stop to stay refreshed.
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
135.6 miles from Colfax, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
135.4 mi
2h 30m
WA 26
129.3 mi
2h 44m
Colfax Airport Road
3 mi
4m
West Fairview Street
0.6 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
West Almota Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Madison Street
0.1 mi
<1m
East Canyon Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 135.4 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, WA and Seattle, 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
135 mi·2 hr 30 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward Madison Street, Convention PlaceUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 27-minute transit, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Seattle area. Since you have a single recommended stop planned, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs midway through the trek to keep your focus sharp. With a total cost of $57 for gas, verify your fuel levels before leaving Colfax, as services can be spaced out along the more remote highway segments. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-90, stay alert for changing traffic patterns once you transition from the rural state highways to the busier interstate corridors. Taking advantage of the flexibility this one-day route offers allows you to prioritize a steady pace over an overnight commitment.
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 135.6 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.4 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 60 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.6 miles or 2h 55m 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 31m
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 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 271.3 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 I 90 for about 135.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 271.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|WA 272 / East Canyon Street
Turn right onto WA 272 / East Canyon Street
Navigation decision point
8
269.9 mi into trip|~5h 24m 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...
6
270.6 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, M...
8
270.8 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
6
271.1 mi into trip|~5h 27m in|Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.78 one way
$113.56 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$59.55
$119.09
premium
$5.77
$61.61
$123.22
diesel
$5.61
$59.90
$119.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.49
$13.02
Efficient EV
67.8
0
$23.74
$10.85
EV Truck/SUV
108.5
1
$37.98
$17.36
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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
Night
in Colfax on Saturday
Local time
9:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Seattle, WA
Night
in Seattle on Saturday
Local time
9:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
4 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 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, with 98% of your travel occurring on highways. You will start by navigating local routes like Colfax Airport Road before transitioning onto WA 26, eventually merging onto the primary artery of I-90. This interstate provides the bulk of the journey, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 135.4 miles. Because the route relies so heavily on main roads, the character is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. You can settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel as you cross the state, moving quickly through the varied Washington landscape.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WA 26. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 272 / East Canyon Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 271.3 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (WA 272 / East Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 269.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 271.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m 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 135.4 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.
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: near the start (WA 272 / East Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 269.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
