This 256.2-mile journey from Connell, Washington to Vancouver, Washington is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 4 hours and 54 minutes. You'll primarily be navigating the Columbia River Highway, Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, and Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, this route offers a practical way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it more of a local road experience than a high-speed interstate cruise. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive.
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
128.1 miles from Connell, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.3 mi
2h 56m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
33.4 mi
37m
Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
31.3 mi
33m
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
North US 395
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Connell, WA and Vancouver, WA.
1
Start on East Clark Street
46 ft·9 sec·East Clark Street
2
Turn left onto North Columbia Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·North Columbia Avenue
3
Turn left onto WA 260
0.2 mi·25 sec·WA 260
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto US 395
31 mi·33 min·Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 395
0.6 mi·1 min·US 395
Toward I 182 West, US 395 South: Richland, Pendleton
7
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
1.9 mi·2 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
8
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
9
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·North US 395
10
Continue on US 395
33 mi·37 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 84 West: Portland
12
Merge onto I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
13
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 56 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·29 sec
Exit 9Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland AirportUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 205
4.2 mi·5 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Vancouver, CamasUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City CenterUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward WA 14 WestUse the straight lane.
20
Merge onto WA 14
5.4 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·55 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 5
451 ft·7 sec·I 5
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 1D; 1CToward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1DToward 4th Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
220 ft·12 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
100 ft·2 sec·East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 54 minute duration, this trip is best completed in a single day. Departing earlier in the morning will give you ample time to reach Vancouver without feeling rushed, especially considering the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, ensure your vehicle is adequately fueled before departing Connell, as the longest stretch without a break is 158.3 miles. You'll have one recommended stop, which should be sufficient for a brief rest and refueling if needed.
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 128.1 miles from Connell, WA, or about 2h 27m 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 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 58m
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 Connell, 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 Connell, WA
This is one driving day of about 256.2 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Connell, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 244.1 and 255.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
244.1 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
248.6 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
248.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
255.4 mi into trip|~4h 52m 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
255.5 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
$53.62 one way
$107.24 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$56.23
$112.47
premium
$5.77
$58.18
$116.36
diesel
$5.61
$56.57
$113.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.9
0
$26.90
$12.30
Efficient EV
64.1
0
$22.42
$10.25
EV Truck/SUV
102.5
1
$35.87
$16.40
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Connell, WA
Late night
in Connell on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vancouver, WA
Late night
in Vancouver on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Warm Springs, OR
128 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
26 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 54m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with only a 2% highway share. The roads you'll follow, including the Columbia River Highway, Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, and Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway, offer a more engaging driving experience than a typical freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 158.3 miles along the Columbia River Highway. This suggests a journey that winds through varied landscapes and likely involves more frequent adjustments to speed and direction as you progress.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 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 244.1 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 22 significant decision points across 256.2 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 244.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.8 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 Connell, 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 4h 54m. Total distance: 256.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 244.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Vancouver, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
