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Trip from Everett, WA to Mead, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 56m

Distance

312.6 mi

503 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$65

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 44m ★
6 AM
5h 57m
8 AM
6h 23m
10 AM
6h 6m
12 PM
6h 3m
3 PM
6h 7m
5 PM
6h 21m
8 PM
5h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Mead, WA, WA

Mead, WA

Dmytro Glazunov

Trip Overview

This 312.6-mile drive from Everett, WA, to Mead, WA, is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 5 hours and 56 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5, I-405, and I-90, it's a highway-focused journey perfect for a single, albeit long, day trip. With a projected fuel cost of $65, this route offers a straightforward path across Washington state. The entire trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, making for a consistent travel experience without dramatic regional shifts. Given the duration, plan for an early start to comfortably reach your destination.

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

156.3 miles from Everett, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 272.9 mi 4h 57m
I 405 18 mi 22m
I 5 9 mi 11m
North Spokane Corridor 3.3 mi 4m
North Freya Street 1.4 mi 3m
Broadway 1.1 mi 1m
South Freya Street 1 mi 2m
North Market Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 272.9 mi, about 4h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Everett, WA and Mead, 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 182 Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton Use 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 11 Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane Use the slight left lane.
11

Merge onto I 90

268 mi · 4 hr 51 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 2; US 395
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward Freya Street, Thor Street
14

Continue on East 3rd Avenue

0.3 mi · 48 sec · East 3rd Avenue
15

Turn left onto South Freya Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Freya Street
16

Continue on North Freya Way

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North Freya Way
17

Continue on North Greene Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Greene Street
18

Turn right onto East Carlisle Avenue

0.3 mi · 55 sec · East Carlisle Avenue
19

Turn left onto North Freya Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · North Freya Street
20

Enter roundabout onto East Wellesley Avenue

234 ft · 13 sec · East Wellesley Avenue
21

Continue on East Wellesley Avenue

408 ft · 17 sec · East Wellesley Avenue
22

Enter roundabout

17 ft · 0 sec
23

Continue

0.4 mi · 54 sec
24

Merge onto Future US 395

3.3 mi · 4 min · North Spokane Corridor
25

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward East Parksmith Drive
26

Turn right onto East Parksmith Drive

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Parksmith Drive
27

Turn left onto North Market Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Market Street
28

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 56-minute duration, starting your journey from Everett early in the morning is highly recommended to avoid fatigue and maximize daylight. This route involves one significant stretch of 272.9 miles on I-90, so plan your single stop strategically for a break and refueling. While the $65 fuel cost is an estimate, it's wise to factor in a buffer. Since this is a manageable drive for one day, you have flexibility with your departure time, but an early start will make the most of your day.

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 156.3 miles from Everett, WA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 272.9 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 69 miles or 1h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 156.3 miles or 2h 57m 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 Mead, 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 312.6 miles and 5h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 90 for about 272.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Chelan County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cashmere, WA

156 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cashmere, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.3 miles from Everett, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 272.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

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

$65.42 one way

$130.85 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $68.61 $137.22
premium $5.77 $70.99 $141.97
diesel $5.61 $69.02 $138.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$65

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.8 1 $32.82 $15.00
Efficient EV 78.2 0 $27.35 $12.50
EV Truck/SUV 125 1 $43.76 $20.01

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

37 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

Everett, WA

Evening in Everett on Saturday

Local time

7:46 PM

PDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mead, WA

Evening in Mead on Saturday

Local time

7:46 PM

PDT

Current temp

39°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

18 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 56m 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

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...

10 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 32.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 96% of the drive taking place on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is an impressive 272.9 miles primarily on I-90, meaning you'll encounter long periods of consistent travel. While largely a high-speed interstate cruise, keep an eye on the road profile as it's described as highway-focused. This suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways, allowing for steady progress.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 272.9 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 405. 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 Effort 10/10

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 20 significant decision points across 312.6 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.

On the drive from Everett, WA to Mead, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle along the way.

Seattle

29.5 mi in | ~38m

About the Cities

Starting in Everett, WA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 56m. Total distance: 312.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 272.9 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.

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 Mead, 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 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mead, WA before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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