Spanning 292.6 miles across Washington, this journey from Everett to Colfax typically takes about 5 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. You will spend nearly the entire trip on major thoroughfares, relying on I-405, I-90, and WA 26 to navigate the state. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single day, be prepared for a substantial stint behind the wheel. Expect to spend approximately $61 on fuel for the trek. This route is primarily a highway-focused transit, making it a straightforward choice if your goal is reaching your destination efficiently rather than lingering along the way.
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
146.3 miles from Everett, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 26
133.3 mi
2h 50m
I 90
127.8 mi
2h 20m
I 405
18 mi
22m
I 5
9 mi
11m
Broadway
1.1 mi
1m
North Main Street
0.6 mi
1m
West Walla Walla Highway
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Spring Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 133.3 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Everett, WA and Colfax, 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
9.0 mi·11 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
128 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
13
Turn straight onto WA 26
133 mi·2 hr 50 min·WA 26
14
Continue on WA 26
415 ft·7 sec·West Walla Walla Highway
15
Merge onto US 195
0.6 mi·1 min·North Main Street
16
Turn left onto East Spring Street
139 ft·8 sec·East Spring Street
17
Turn right
257 ft·18 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a long, highway-heavy route, planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to manage fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic congestion near the Everett area, which can quickly add time to your estimated 5h 54m duration. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 133.3-mile stretch on WA 26, as service stations may be spaced further apart than on the interstate portions of your trip. Because the route is optimized for efficiency, treat that single planned stop as a necessary reset for your focus. Flexibility is key, so check real-time traffic conditions before you leave to ensure your transit remains within the expected timeframe.
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 146.3 miles from Everett, WA, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.3 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, 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 292.6 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 WA 26 for about 133.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 30 — 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
8
10.6 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
12.4 mi into trip|~16m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
29.5 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
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 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
30 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.24 one way
$122.48 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$64.22
$128.44
premium
$5.77
$66.45
$132.89
diesel
$5.61
$64.60
$129.20
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: 102.4 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
87.8
1
$30.72
$14.04
Efficient EV
73.2
0
$25.60
$11.70
EV Truck/SUV
117
1
$40.96
$18.73
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
Everett, WA
Evening
in Everett on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colfax, WA
Evening
in Colfax on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 30.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The personality of this drive is heavily defined by high-speed transit, with 98% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will start by navigating the busy corridors of I-405 and I-90 before transitioning onto the more open stretches of WA 26. A significant portion of your journey involves a 133.3-mile stretch on WA 26, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The transition from the coastal region toward the interior provides a consistent, high-paced driving experience. You can expect a steady rhythm on the asphalt, requiring focus as you maintain highway speeds for the duration of the nearly six-hour commute.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.3 mi on WA 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.2 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 13 significant decision points across 292.6 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 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.4 miles (I 405): 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.
Between Everett, WA and Colfax, WA, road signs point toward Seattle and Pullman.
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 54m. Total distance: 292.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m 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 133.3 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 Colfax, 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 10.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.4 miles (I 405): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colfax, WA before the return drive.
