Traveling from Colfax to Vancouver, WA covers 339.4 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 33 minutes of drive time. This journey functions well as a single-day trip, though you should budget approximately $71 for fuel costs. You will navigate a mix of routes including WA 26 and the Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway to reach your destination. Because this trip spans a significant portion of the Pacific Coast region, it requires a focused approach behind the wheel. Expect a varied experience as you transition between inland segments and the Columbia River Highway corridor. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed throughout the day.
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
169.7 miles from Colfax, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.3 mi
2h 56m
WA 26
68.6 mi
1h 20m
Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
42.5 mi
45m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
33.4 mi
37m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.3 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Trail
5.7 mi
7m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.4 mi
6m
I 205
4.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, WA and Vancouver, 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
69 mi·1 hr 20 min·WA 26
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 395 South: Pasco
10
Merge onto US 395
42 mi·45 min·Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward I 182 West, US 395 South: Richland, Pendleton
12
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
1.9 mi·2 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.8 mi·5 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
Toward US 395: Kennewick, Pendleton, Columbia Basin College, Tri Cities Airport
14
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·North US 395
15
Continue on US 395
33 mi·37 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 84 West: Portland
17
Merge onto I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
18
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 56 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·29 sec
Exit 9Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland AirportUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 205
4.2 mi·5 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Vancouver, CamasUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City CenterUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward WA 14 WestUse the straight lane.
25
Merge onto WA 14
5.4 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·55 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto I 5
451 ft·7 sec·I 5
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 1D; 1CToward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1DToward 4th Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
220 ft·12 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
31
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
100 ft·2 sec·East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 339.4-mile trek, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the technical nature of the turn-heavy sections. Since the trip takes over six hours, you should plan your single required stop strategically to coincide with refueling, keeping your $71 budget in mind. Use the 158.3-mile stretch on the Columbia River Highway to maintain a steady rhythm, but remain cautious of road changes after you exit that primary corridor. Because this is a demanding drive, prioritize comfort and hydration before leaving Colfax. Flexibility is your best asset on this route, so adjust your pace if weather or traffic impacts the local road segments.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.7 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.3 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 75 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.7 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
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 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 339.4 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 Columbia River Highway for about 158.3 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 327.3 and 338.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
327.3 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport
8
331.8 mi into trip|~6h 21m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas
8
332 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center
9
338.6 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Take the exit toward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain Boulevard
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 1D; 1C
Toward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain...
8
338.7 mi into trip|~6h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.03 one way
$142.07 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$74.49
$148.99
premium
$5.77
$77.07
$154.15
diesel
$5.61
$74.94
$149.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$96–$121
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.8
1
$35.64
$16.29
Efficient EV
84.9
0
$29.70
$13.58
EV Truck/SUV
135.8
1
$47.52
$21.72
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Evening
in Colfax on Saturday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vancouver, WA
Evening
in Vancouver on Saturday
Local time
6:09 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
6h 33m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a turn-heavy profile that demands your full attention, feeling more like a local drive than a simple interstate cruise. With only 22% of the route consisting of major highways, you will spend most of your time navigating secondary roads that require constant steering adjustments. The longest uninterrupted section is a 158.3-mile stretch along the Columbia River Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the entire journey. Do not expect a monotonous, high-speed grind; instead, prepare for a technical driving experience that shifts in character as you progress. Staying alert is essential, as the route’s layout forces you to manage changing road conditions frequently.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.3 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 327.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 339.4 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 327.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 331.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 332 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Colfax, WA and Vancouver, WA, road signs point toward Pendleton, Columbia Basin College and Tri Cities Airport.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 339.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.3 miles on Columbia River Highway. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 327.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 331.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 332 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vancouver, WA before the return drive.
