Seattle to Tonasket is 260.9 miles and takes about 5h 26m via Sunset Highway and US 97, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region of Washington state to another part of the same region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you head northeast. It's a manageable one-day trip, making it a good option if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the state.
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
130.4 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Sunset Highway
90.1 mi
1h 56m
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
82.2 mi
1h 33m
US 97
59.4 mi
1h 15m
US 2
16.6 mi
22m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
I 90
1 mi
1m
I 5
0.6 mi
1m
Spring Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Sunset Highway
— 90.1 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 149 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,881 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,677
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Tonasket, 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 US 2; US 97
132 ft·5 sec·US 2; US 97
18
Continue on US 2; US 97
1.8 mi·3 min·US 2; US 97
19
Turn left onto US 2; US 97
3.0 mi·4 min·Sunset Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97
85 ft·2 sec·Sunset Highway
21
Continue on US 2; US 97
87 mi·1 hr 50 min·Sunset Highway
22
Continue on US 97; WA 20
24 mi·31 min·US 97; WA 20
23
Arrive at destination
US 97
Trip Plan
Since this trip can be completed in under six hours, it's best tackled in one day. Aim to depart Seattle in the morning to give yourself ample time. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the 90.1-mile stretch on Sunset Highway if you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto US 97, as services can become less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $53.
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 130.4 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.1 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 57 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.4 miles or 2h 35m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tonasket, 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 260.9 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 Sunset Highway for about 90.1 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 16
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
$54.93 one way
$109.87 round trip
$5.35/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.56
$57.07
$114.14
premium
$5.76
$59.12
$118.25
diesel
$5.60
$57.51
$115.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.3
0
$27.39
$12.52
Efficient EV
65.2
0
$22.83
$10.44
EV Truck/SUV
104.4
1
$36.53
$16.70
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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 Aug 31, 2026
Origin
Seattle, WA
Late night
in Seattle on Friday
Local time
3:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Cloudy
NNE 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tonasket, WA
Late night
in Tonasket on Friday
Local time
3:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
54°F
Leavenworth, WA
130 mi in
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
4 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 26m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 34% of this drive is on highways, with the longest stretch on Sunset Highway covering 90.1 miles. After that, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. You'll notice the change from more developed highway sections to more rural cruising as you progress. Be prepared for varying road conditions and exit densities.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.1 mi on Sunset Highway.
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 16 significant decision points across 260.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,507 ft179 ft
Total Climb
4,264 ft
Total Descent
3,532 ft
Highest Point
3,507 ft
~111.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,329 ft
Notable High Points
3,507 ft at ~111.8 miles+1,234 ft prominence
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 Tonasket, 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.
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 26m. Total distance: 260.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.1 miles on Sunset Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Tonasket, 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 4 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 5.4 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 Tonasket, WA before the return drive.
