Seattle to Chelan is 180.1 miles and takes about 3h 46m via Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel and US 97 Alt, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region of Washington to another part of the same region, offering a mixed drive experience. It's a manageable one-day journey, making it a great option if you're looking for a relatively quick escape without an overnight stay. You'll spend a good portion of the drive on major highways, but the overall journey is designed to be completed within a single day, keeping travel fatigue to a minimum.
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
90.1 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
82.2 mi
1h 33m
US 97
35.2 mi
44m
US 97 Alt
33.2 mi
45m
US 2
14.8 mi
19m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
Ohme Garden Road
1 mi
2m
I 90
1 mi
1m
I 5
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Chelan, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
204 ft·11 sec·Madison Street
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
308 ft·14 sec·4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·Spring Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
Continue on I 5
0.6 mi·1 min·I 5
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
147 ft·2 sec·I 5
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
9
Merge onto I 90
1.0 mi·1 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
82 mi·1 hr 33 min·Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Cle Elum, Leavenworth
12
Turn left onto WA 970
0.4 mi·33 sec·Sunset Highway
13
At end of road, turn right onto WA 970
0.1 mi·10 sec·WA 970
14
Take the exit onto WA 970
9.8 mi·12 min·WA 970
15
Continue on US 97
35 mi·44 min·US 97
16
Take the exit onto US 97
15 mi·19 min·US 2
17
Enter roundabout onto Easy Street
225 ft·9 sec·Easy Street
18
Continue on Easy Street
350 ft·11 sec·Easy Street
19
Turn right onto Ohme Garden Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Ohme Garden Road
20
Enter roundabout onto US 97 Alt
198 ft·2 sec·US 97 Alt
21
Continue on US 97 Alt
33 mi·45 min·US 97 Alt
22
Continue on West Woodin Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·West Woodin Avenue
23
Turn left onto North Columbia Street
349 ft·21 sec·North Columbia Street
24
Turn right onto WA 150
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Johnson Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
WA 150
Trip Plan
For this 180.1-mile drive, consider leaving Seattle in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With a duration of just under 4 hours, it's easily a same-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 82.2-mile stretch on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, as fuel availability might be less frequent in certain sections. The estimated fuel cost of $38 suggests budgeting for at least one fill-up, depending on your vehicle's efficiency.
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 90.1 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.1 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chelan, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 180.1 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Seattle, 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 Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel for about 82.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 2.5 — 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|Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Spring Street
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
6
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|I 90 / Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.69 one way
$75.39 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$39.53
$79.06
premium
$5.77
$40.90
$81.80
diesel
$5.61
$39.76
$79.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54
0
$18.91
$8.64
Efficient EV
45
0
$15.76
$7.20
EV Truck/SUV
72
0
$25.21
$11.53
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 20, 2026
Origin
Seattle, WA
Morning
in Seattle on Tuesday
Local time
8:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chelan, WA
Morning
in Chelan on Tuesday
Local time
8:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°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
19 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 46m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed drive profile, with 53% of the journey on highways, suggesting a balance between faster travel and more local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.2 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, which indicates a significant segment where you can maintain a consistent pace. As you progress, expect the character of the drive to evolve, moving from potentially more urban or coastal environments near Seattle to the broader landscapes as you head towards Chelan. This variety means you won't be stuck on one type of road for the entire trip.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.2 mi on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Madison Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 180.1 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: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Seattle, WA and Chelan, WA, road signs point toward Cle Elum and Leavenworth.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 180.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.2 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel. 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 Chelan, 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: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 5): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Chelan, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
