This 268.5-mile drive from Medical Lake, WA, to Seattle, WA, is a straightforward 5-hour journey, making it a very manageable day trip. The route is heavily focused on I-90, accounting for 97% of the drive, so expect a consistent highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $56, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's travel. You'll be traversing the Pacific Coast region throughout, so the scenery will remain consistent. This is a practical choice if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently without needing an overnight stop.
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
134.3 miles from Medical Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
260.9 mi
4h 44m
South Salnave Road
4.1 mi
7m
South Lefevre Street
1.1 mi
2m
State Route 902
0.8 mi
1m
Madison Street
0.1 mi
<1m
East Lake Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 260.9 mi, about 4h 44m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 95 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,105 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,688
Quietest
2 AM
~115 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
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 Seattle, 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
218 mi·3 hr 59 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·54 sec
Toward Madison Street, Convention PlaceUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left
31 ft·2 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a 5-hour drive primarily on I-90, leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Seattle with plenty of daylight. You'll only need one stop for fuel or a break during the longest 260.9-mile stretch on I-90. With the estimated fuel cost at $56, keep an eye on your gauge as you approach the 200-mile mark, especially if you're driving a less fuel-efficient vehicle. This route is designed for efficiency, so enjoy the direct path and the relatively low amount of time spent on local roads.
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 134.3 miles from Medical Lake, WA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 260.9 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.3 miles or 2h 31m 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 6m
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 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 268.5 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 260.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.7 and 268.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
48.7 mi into trip|~58m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
267.1 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
267.9 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
268 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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
268.4 mi into trip|~5h in|Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.30 one way
$104.61 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$54.80
$109.60
premium
$5.39
$56.99
$113.98
diesel
$4.80
$50.70
$101.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.6
0
$28.19
$12.89
Efficient EV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
EV Truck/SUV
107.4
1
$37.59
$17.18
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Medical Lake, WA
Morning
in Medical Lake on Sunday
Local time
9:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Patchy Smoke
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Seattle, WA
Morning
in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
9:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 1 to 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 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
2 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 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 268.5
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, with 97% of your journey taking place on major interstates. The main artery for this trip is I-90, which will carry you for an impressive longest stretch of 260.9 miles. While the majority of the route is on I-90, you'll briefly touch South Salnave Road and South Lefevre Street at the beginning and end. This means the bulk of your time will be spent on high-speed, uninterrupted driving, offering a consistent pace for most of the 5-hour duration.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 260.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and South Salnave Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 48.7 miles in near I 90.
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 268.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 48.7 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Seattle, Washington sits at one of the most beautiful spots in the United States. Occupying a narrow isthmus between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, it is the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest, with 780,000 people in Seattle and over four million people in the metro area. Seen from above, carpets of evergreen trees, pristine blue waters, and snowy white mountains surround the downtown's metallic skyscrapers, earning the city its nickname The Emerald City.
On the ground, you will find a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Next to the progressive downtown and the freewheeling feel of Capitol Hill, you can find a laid-back atmosphere in the districts to the north and ethnically diverse neighborhoods to the south.
Top landmarks
•Space Needle — observation tower in Seattle, Washington, United States
•Climate Pledge Arena — sports arena in Seattle, Washington, USA
•Museum of Pop Culture — museum in Seattle, Washington, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 268.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 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 260.9 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.7 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Seattle, WA before the return drive.
