Seattle to Clarkston is 307.3 miles and takes about 6h 31m via Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, WA 26, and US 12, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region of Washington state all the way across to the eastern side of the state. It's a pretty straightforward drive that's manageable in a single day if you get an early start. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way east.
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
153.7 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
134.3 mi
2h 29m
WA 26
82.8 mi
1h 49m
US 12
51.4 mi
1h 4m
WA 261
29.3 mi
51m
North Main Street
6.4 mi
11m
I 90
1 mi
1m
I 5
0.6 mi
1m
6th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
— 134.3 mi, about 2h 29m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,625 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,290
Quietest
2 AM
~134 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.6×
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 Seattle, WA and Clarkston, 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
134 mi·2 hr 29 min·Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
12
Turn straight onto WA 26
83 mi·1 hr 49 min·WA 26
13
Turn right onto WA 260; WA 261
6.4 mi·11 min·North Main Street
14
Turn left onto WA 261
29 mi·51 min·WA 261
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 12
8.5 mi·10 min·US 12
16
Take the exit onto US 12
43 mi·54 min·US 12
17
Turn right onto WA 129 Spur
0.3 mi·45 sec·6th Street
18
Arrive at destination
WA 129 Spur
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving Seattle before 8 AM will give you plenty of daylight to reach Clarkston. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $68, you can likely complete this trip without needing to break it up. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the surface roads of WA 26 and US 12, as services might be more spread out. This is a drive that offers flexibility; you can easily adjust your departure time or add an extra stop if you wish.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.7 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.3 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 68 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.7 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarkston, 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 307.3 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 134.3 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 14
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
$59.86 one way
$119.73 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$62.72
$125.44
premium
$5.39
$65.22
$130.45
diesel
$4.80
$58.02
$116.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.2
1
$32.27
$14.75
Efficient EV
76.8
0
$26.89
$12.29
EV Truck/SUV
122.9
1
$43.02
$19.67
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Seattle, WA
Late night
in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 6 to 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 1:46PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 1:07PM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Clarkston, WA
Late night
in Clarkston on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 2 to 8 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 16 at 1:46PM PDT until July 16 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 1:07PM PDT until July 16 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
11 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
6h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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?
About 54% of this 307.3-mile route is on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 134.3 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel before transitioning to WA 26 and US 12. Expect some rural cruising once you leave the main highway sections. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for a change in road conditions.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.3 mi on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Madison Street.
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 307.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,640 ft179 ft
Total Climb
4,655 ft
Total Descent
4,027 ft
Highest Point
2,640 ft
~65.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,462 ft
Notable High Points
2,640 ft at ~65.9 miles+522 ft prominence
2,561 ft at ~285.4 miles+1,336 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 Seattle, WA to Clarkston, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
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
Clarkston is a city of 7,200 people (2020) in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. It sits across the Snake River to the west of Lewiston, Idaho.
This article also includes the neighboring city of Asotin, as well as rural Asotin County.
Top landmarks
•C. C. Van Arsdol House — single-family detached home in Clarkston, United States of America
•Clarkston Public Library — library in Clarkston, Washington, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 307.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.3 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Clarkston, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clarkston, WA before the return drive.
