Origin
Kenmore, WA
Late night in Kenmore on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kenmore, WA to Vancouver, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
178.1 mi
287 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kenmore, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 180.6-mile drive from Kenmore, WA to Vancouver, WA is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Your journey will primarily follow local roads like Northeast Bothell Way and Bothell Way Northeast, with no significant highway mileage, suggesting a more connected, community-level travel experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, this route is quite budget-friendly for a single traveler. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, it's best suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the overall landscape consistent.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89.1 miles from Kenmore, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 172.5 mi | 3h 20m |
| Bothell Way Northeast | 2 mi | 4m |
| Northeast 145th Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Northeast Bothell Way | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| East Fourth Plain Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 172.5 mi, about 3h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kenmore, WA and Vancouver, WA.
1
Start on WA 522
81 ft
·
10 sec
·
Northeast Bothell Way
2
Continue on WA 522
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast Bothell Way
Use the left / uturn lanes.
3
Continue on WA 522
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Bothell Way Northeast
4
Turn right onto WA 523
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast 145th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto 5th Avenue Northeast
135 ft
·
3 sec
·
5th Avenue Northeast
6
Continue on 5th Avenue Northeast
71 ft
·
2 sec
·
5th Avenue Northeast
7
Continue on WA 523
391 ft
·
9 sec
·
Northeast 145th Street
8
Enter roundabout
223 ft
·
4 sec
Toward I 5 South
9
Continue
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 5 South
10
Merge onto I 5
40 mi
·
50 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
242 ft
·
13 sec
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this 180.6-mile trip from Kenmore to Vancouver is easily completed in a single day. Consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you'll be on local roads for the entire 3 hours and 3 minutes. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is quite reasonable, so plan for one stop to refuel and stretch your legs about halfway through. Since the route is turn-heavy, pay close attention to your navigation to ensure you don't miss any turns onto Northeast Bothell Way or its continuations.
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 89.1 miles from Kenmore, WA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.5 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 39 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.1 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
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 Kenmore, 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 Kenmore, WA
This is one driving day of about 178.1 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Kenmore, 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 172.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.1 miles from Kenmore, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 172.5 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 177.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
WA 523 / Northeast 145th Street
Turn right onto WA 523 / Northeast 145th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Enter roundabout toward I 5 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 5 South
6
45.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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
177.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
8
177.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.27 one way
$74.55 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $39.09 | $78.18 |
| premium | $5.77 | $40.44 | $80.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.32 | $78.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.70 | $8.55 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.58 | $7.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.93 | $11.40 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Vancouver, WA
Late night in Vancouver on Sunday
Local time
12:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Lakewood, WA
89 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
9 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
3h 33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 12.3
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 turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 180.6-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and cityscapes for the full 3 hours and 3 minutes, rather than cruising on high-speed freeways. While there isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, the continuous engagement with local streets means you'll be constantly adjusting your speed and direction. This route offers a direct, ground-level perspective of the areas you're passing through, without the detachment often found on interstates.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Bothell Way Northeast. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near WA 523 / Northeast 145th Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 178.1 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 3.3 miles (WA 523 / Northeast 145th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 45.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Kenmore, WA
Full guide →Bothell is a city of around 33,000 on the Sammamish River, (mostly) in King County of Washington State. It's about 15 miles northeast of downtown Seattle, near Woodinville. This article also includes the commuter community of Kenmore, to the west of Bothell at the northern tip of Lake Washington.
Arriving in Vancouver, WA
Full guide →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.
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 3h 33m. Total distance: 178.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.5 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 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 3.3 miles (WA 523 / Northeast 145th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 45.4 miles (I 5): 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Vancouver, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Vancouver, WA
More trips to Vancouver, WA
Explore more options from Kenmore, WA or browse trips ending in Vancouver, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.