Origin
Tukwila, WA
Late night in Tukwila on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tukwila, WA to Vancouver, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
154.5 mi
249 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tukwila, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 154.5-mile drive from Tukwila, WA, to Vancouver, WA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours. Primarily utilizing I-5, this route is almost entirely highway driving at 98%, making it efficient for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it's an economical option for exploring the Pacific Coast region. The longest continuous stretch on I-5 covers 151.9 miles, so you'll want to plan for any necessary stops beforehand. This route offers a practical way to travel between these Washington locations without requiring an overnight stay.
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
77.2 miles from Tukwila, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 151.9 mi | 2h 54m |
| 51st Avenue South | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Klickitat Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 144th Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Fourth Plain Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 151.9 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tukwila, WA and Vancouver, WA.
1
Start on South 144th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South 144th Street
2
Turn left onto 51st Avenue South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
51st Avenue South
3
Continue on Klickitat Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Klickitat Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 5
19 mi
·
24 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
242 ft
·
13 sec
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour duration and 154.5-mile length, this trip is ideally suited for a single day. Aim to depart either early in the morning to avoid potential traffic around the Seattle metro area or later in the day if you prefer a more relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being over 150 miles, be sure to fuel up before you leave Tukwila to manage your $32 fuel budget effectively. While the drive is primarily on I-5, pay attention to signage for any potential lane changes or exits as you approach Vancouver, WA.
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 77.2 miles from Tukwila, WA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.9 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vancouver, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tukwila, 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 Tukwila, WA
This is one driving day of about 154.5 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Tukwila, 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 5 for about 151.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.2 miles from Tukwila, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 154.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Portland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
21.7 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
147.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
154.1 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
8
154.3 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.34 one way
$64.67 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $33.91 | $67.82 |
| premium | $5.77 | $35.08 | $70.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.11 | $68.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.22 | $7.42 |
| Efficient EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.52 | $6.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.8 | 0 | $21.63 | $9.89 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Vancouver, WA
Late night in Vancouver on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
17 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 1m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this drive, with 98% of the 154.5 miles taking place on major interstates like I-5. The main roads include I-5, along with brief segments on 51st Avenue South and Klickitat Drive. You'll encounter a very long stretch of 151.9 miles solely on I-5, meaning the scenery will largely consist of the interstate environment for the bulk of your journey. This profile suggests a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal deviations from the fast-paced highway.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and 51st Avenue South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 154.5 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: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.8 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Vancouver, WA
Full guide →Vancouver is a city in southwest Washington State, immediately north of the border with Oregon. The city was established around Fort Vancouver, a fur trading outpost dating back to 1824, making this one of the oldest continuously-inhabited European communities in the Pacific Northwest. Two bridges across the Columbia River connect Vancouver to the rest of the Portland Metropolitan Area.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 154.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.9 miles on I 5. 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 Vancouver, 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: at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.8 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Vancouver, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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