This 290.2-mile journey from Medical Lake, WA, to Everett, WA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. You'll primarily be on interstates, with a 97% highway share, making it a focused drive. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $61. Given its manageable duration and highway-focused profile, it’s a straightforward route that can be completed comfortably in one go. This drive connects two points within the Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent travel experience throughout.
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
145.1 miles from Medical Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
253.4 mi
4h 35m
I 405
18.4 mi
23m
I 5
9.1 mi
11m
South Salnave Road
4.1 mi
7m
South Lefevre Street
1.1 mi
2m
Broadway
0.9 mi
1m
State Route 902
0.8 mi
1m
Hewitt Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 253.4 mi, about 4h 35m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,832 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,477
Quietest
2 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medical Lake, WA and Everett, WA.
1
Start on East Lake Street
125 ft·11 sec·East Lake Street
2
Turn left onto WA 902
1.1 mi·2 min·South Lefevre Street
3
Continue on WA 902
0.8 mi·1 min·State Route 902
4
Continue on WA 902
4.1 mi·7 min·South Salnave Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Seattle
6
Merge onto I 90; US 395
42 mi·45 min·I 90; US 395
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
211 mi·3 hr 50 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi·2 min·I 405
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
9.1 mi·11 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 192Toward Everett City Center, Naval Station, Port of EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward BroadwayUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto Broadway
0.9 mi·1 min·Broadway
18
Turn left onto Hewitt Avenue
128 ft·2 sec·Hewitt Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Hewitt Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 28-minute drive, departing in the morning will allow you to reach Everett with plenty of daylight. With a longest stretch of 253.4 miles on I-90, plan for at least one substantial stop roughly midway to stretch your legs and refuel. The $61 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. While no specific rest areas are mandated, staying aware of your fuel gauge is always wise on longer interstate segments. This route is best tackled as a single-day trip, so flexibility in your departure time is your biggest advantage.
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 145.1 miles from Medical Lake, WA, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 253.4 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 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.1 miles or 2h 43m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Everett, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medical Lake, 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 Medical Lake, WA
This is one driving day of about 290.2 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Medical Lake, 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 253.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 259.7 and 288.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
259.7 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
259.9 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
7
278.7 mi into trip|~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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.
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
8
288.4 mi into trip|~5h 24m in
Take the exit toward Everett City Center, Naval Station, Port of Everett
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 192
Toward Everett City Center, Naval Station, Port...
7
288.6 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Broadway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Broadway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.53 one way
$113.06 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$59.23
$118.46
premium
$5.39
$61.59
$123.19
diesel
$4.80
$54.80
$109.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.1
1
$30.47
$13.93
Efficient EV
72.6
0
$25.39
$11.61
EV Truck/SUV
116.1
1
$40.63
$18.57
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Medical Lake, WA
Morning
in Medical Lake on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
87°F
Patchy Smoke
SW 8 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Everett, WA
Morning
in Everett on Sunday
Local time
9:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
WNW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
15 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 28m 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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 260.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 290.2-mile trip. The vast majority, 97%, of your mileage will be on major interstates like I-90, I-405, and I-5. You'll encounter one substantial, uninterrupted stretch of 253.4 miles primarily on I-90, indicating long periods of consistent driving. While the route is efficient, be prepared for the nature of interstate travel, which prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 253.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 259.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 290.2 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 259.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,421 ft84 ft
Total Climb
1,928 ft
Total Descent
4,266 ft
Highest Point
2,421 ft
Elevation Range
2,338 ft
Notable High Points
2,308 ft at ~145.1 miles+727 ft prominence
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 Medical Lake, WA to Everett, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
Bellevue
259.9 mi in|~4h 48m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Top landmarks
•Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour — Boeing
•Equator — 1888 two-masted pygmy trading schooner
•Everett High School — high school in Everett, Washington
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 290.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m 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 253.4 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Everett, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 259.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 278.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Everett, WA before the return drive.
