This 238.7-mile drive from Everett, WA to Carson, WA is a manageable one-day adventure, taking approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 81% of the journey utilizing interstate travel, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $50, this route offers a straightforward way to travel within the Pacific Coast region. It's well-suited for a single day of driving, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The overall feel is efficient, designed for covering distance effectively.
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
119.3 miles from Everett, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
184.1 mi
3h 35m
Evergreen Highway
22.3 mi
31m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
10.1 mi
13m
I 205
10.1 mi
13m
Lewis and Clark Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
2.8 mi
4m
Broadway
1.1 mi
1m
Wind River Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 184.1 mi, about 3h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Everett, WA and Carson, WA.
1
Start on Hewitt Avenue
128 ft·6 sec·Hewitt Avenue
2
Turn right onto Broadway
1.1 mi·1 min·Broadway
3
Take the ramp
156 ft·3 sec
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 5 South
5
Merge onto I 5
58 mi·1 hr 12 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
10 mi·13 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Camas, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward WA 14 East: CamasUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto WA 14
5.6 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on WA 14
3.9 mi·5 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
85 ft·1 sec·Lewis and Clark Highway
13
Continue on WA 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
14
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
102 ft·1 sec·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
15
Continue on WA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
16
Continue on WA 14
22 mi·31 min·Evergreen Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on WA 14
0.7 mi·2 min·2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on WA 14
2.8 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
19
Enter roundabout onto Wind River Road
196 ft·8 sec·Wind River Road
Toward Carson
20
Continue on Wind River Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Wind River Road
Toward Carson
21
Turn right onto Hot Springs Avenue
270 ft·9 sec·Hot Springs Avenue
22
Turn right onto 1st Street
196 ft·8 sec·1st Street
23
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially if starting on I-5. Given the 4-hour 52-minute estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day, with only one planned stop likely needed for fuel or a brief break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 180 miles. This route's highway focus means rest areas are generally well-spaced, but it's wise to plan your breaks around them.
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 119.3 miles from Everett, WA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.1 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 53 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 23m 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 Carson, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Everett, 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 Everett, WA
This is one driving day of about 238.7 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Everett, 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 184.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 195.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 5 South
6
59.5 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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.
7
185.7 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
195.8 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
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 27
Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
7
195.9 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 14 East: Camas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WA 14 East: Camas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.96 one way
$99.92 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$52.39
$104.78
premium
$5.77
$54.21
$108.41
diesel
$5.61
$52.70
$105.40
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: 83.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.06
$11.46
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
EV Truck/SUV
95.5
1
$33.42
$15.28
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Everett, WA
Evening
in Everett on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Carson, WA
Evening
in Carson on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
1 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 52m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 24.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a journey that is largely highway-centric, with the interstate forming the backbone of your travel for significant portions. The Evergreen Highway and Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway offer some variation, but the majority of your time will be spent on high-speed roadways. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 184.1 miles on I-5, so be prepared for long periods of consistent driving. This route prioritizes efficient transit over winding scenic byways, offering a direct path between your starting and ending points.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 184.1 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Evergreen Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 238.7 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 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.7 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Everett, WA to Carson, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center 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 4h 52m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 184.1 miles on I 5. 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 Carson, 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 1.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.7 miles (I 205): 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Carson, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
