Traveling from Longview to Seattle covers 127.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel to complete the journey. The route stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the travel environment consistent as you head north. It is a practical, efficient connection between these two Washington cities, ideal for commuters or travelers looking for a direct route. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, this trip is manageable enough to tackle in one go without feeling exhausted upon arrival.
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
63.8 miles from Longview, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
124.3 mi
2h 25m
Washington Way
0.8 mi
1m
North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
West Cowlitz Way
0.6 mi
1m
North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
16th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
5th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Seneca Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 124.3 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on Olympia Way
120 ft·4 sec·Olympia Way
2
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
444 ft·15 sec·16th Avenue
3
Continue on 16th Avenue
238 ft·8 sec·16th Avenue
4
Continue on Washington Way
0.8 mi·1 min·Washington Way
5
Continue on WA 4
0.6 mi·1 min·West Cowlitz Way
6
Turn left onto North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Pacific Avenue
7
Continue on North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·North Kelso Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
9
Merge onto I 5
92 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
32 mi·39 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 165Toward Seneca StreetUse the slight left lane.
12
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft·18 sec·Seneca Street
13
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft·9 sec·Madison Street
15
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key, as traffic along I-5 can vary significantly; aim to leave outside of peak morning or evening rush hours to keep your travel time closer to the 2-hour and 34-minute estimate. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever it suits your personal schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Longview, as setting aside $27 for gas is a baseline expectation for the trip. Since the drive is relatively short, consider using that single planned stop to grab a quick meal or coffee to stay refreshed. Being prepared for the high-speed nature of the interstate will help you enjoy a smoother, less stressful drive into Seattle.
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 63.8 miles from Longview, WA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.3 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.8 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m
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 Longview, 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 Longview, WA
This is one driving day of about 127.5 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Longview, 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 124.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|16th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
95.1 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward Seneca Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
7
127.4 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.68 one way
$53.37 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$27.98
$55.97
premium
$5.77
$28.95
$57.91
diesel
$5.61
$28.15
$56.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.3
0
$13.39
$6.12
Efficient EV
31.9
0
$11.16
$5.10
EV Truck/SUV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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
Longview, WA
Evening
in Longview on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Seattle, WA
Evening
in Seattle on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 34m 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 127.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very consistent experience on this route, as 97% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a significant 124.3-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. While you start by navigating local segments like Washington Way and North Kelso Avenue, you will quickly transition into a standard interstate grind. The personality of the road is functional and fast-paced rather than winding or technical. Being behind the wheel here requires staying alert for heavy traffic patterns common on this major corridor, but you will find the path straightforward and easy to navigate.
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: 124.3 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Washington Way. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 16th Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 127.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 124.3 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Seattle, WA before heading back.
