Leavenworth to Seattle is 134.7 miles and takes about 2h 44m via I 90 and US 97, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you across the Pacific Coast region, transitioning from mountainous terrain to the urban sprawl of Seattle. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Washington destinations.
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
67.4 miles from Leavenworth, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
83.1 mi
1h 34m
US 97
35.2 mi
44m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
US 2
4.6 mi
8m
Sunset Highway
0.2 mi
<1m
Madison Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 83.1 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on US 2
4.4 mi·8 min·US 2
2
Take the exit onto US 2
0.2 mi·36 sec·US 2
Toward 97 South: Cle Elum, Ellensburg
3
Turn right onto US 97
35 mi·44 min·US 97
4
Continue on WA 970
9.8 mi·12 min·WA 970
5
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi·18 sec·WA 970
6
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi·11 sec·Sunset Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 90 West
8
Merge onto I 90
83 mi·1 hr 34 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 2CToward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, James Street, Madison StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward Madison Street, Convention PlaceUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 44 minutes, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart Leavenworth in the morning to maximize your daylight and enjoy the drive. With only one recommended stop on the itinerary, you have plenty of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 90 is over 83 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly before entering that segment. The $28 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.4 miles from Leavenworth, WA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.1 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 30 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seattle, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leavenworth, 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 Leavenworth, WA
This is one driving day of about 134.7 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Leavenworth, 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 83.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.4 and 134.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.4 mi into trip|~8m in|US 2
Take the exit onto US 2 toward 97 South: Cle Elum, Ellensburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 97 South: Cle Elum, Ellensburg
8
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, James Street, Madison Street
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 2C
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, J...
6
134.1 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, M...
8
134.2 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Madison Street, Convention Place
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Madison Street, Convention Place
6
134.6 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.19 one way
$56.38 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$29.57
$59.13
premium
$5.77
$30.59
$61.18
diesel
$5.61
$29.74
$59.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.4
0
$14.14
$6.47
Efficient EV
33.7
0
$11.79
$5.39
EV Truck/SUV
53.9
0
$18.86
$8.62
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Leavenworth, WA
Late night
in Leavenworth on Sunday
Local time
12:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Seattle, WA
Late night
in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
12:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
25 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
2h 44m 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 134.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 90 and US 97. Expect long stretches of consistent driving, including an uninterrupted segment of 83.1 miles on I 90. The character of the road is predominantly fast-paced highway, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. While the majority is high-speed interstate, the initial part of the journey may offer glimpses of the surrounding Pacific Northwest landscape before you reach the more developed areas closer to Seattle.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.4 miles in near US 2.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.4 miles (US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 134.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Seattle, 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 4.4 miles (US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Seattle, WA before heading back.
