Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
21m
Distance
14.9 mi
24 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Esperance, WA
Eclipse Chasers
Seattle to Esperance is 14.9 miles and takes about 21 minutes via I 5, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short hop stays within Washington's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive. It's a quick connection, ideal for when you need to get from point A to point B without a significant time commitment. Think of it as a brief transition rather than a destination in itself. With only 1 day recommended, this route is perfect for a quick shuttle or a minor relocation.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 11.3 mi | 14m |
| Edmonds Way | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Esperance, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Madison Street
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
Turn right onto University Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto WA 104
Continue on WA 104
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 104
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 12.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WA 104: Edmonds, Lake Forest Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 104 West: Edmonds
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 104 West: Edmonds, Kingston Ferry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$3.12 one way
$6.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $3.27 | $6.54 |
| premium | $5.77 | $3.38 | $6.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.29 | $6.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.56 | $0.72 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.30 | $0.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6 | 0 | $2.09 | $0.95 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Seattle on Tuesday
Local time
2:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Esperance on Tuesday
Local time
2:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 76% of the journey on major roads like I 5. You'll experience the efficiency of interstate travel for the longest stretch, a continuous 11.3 miles on I 5. The remaining segments involve local roads, including Edmonds Way and Northeast 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way, which offer a slight change of pace from the freeway. Expect a fairly consistent driving experience with minimal complexity, suitable for those who prefer direct travel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Edmonds Way. 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.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 14.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 21m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Seattle, WA and Esperance, WA, road signs point toward Lake Forest Park and Kingston Ferry.
Lake Forest Park
Kingston Ferry
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 21m. Total distance: 14.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Seattle, WA or browse trips ending in Esperance, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
