Vancouver, WA to Clyde Hill, WA is 170 miles and takes about 3h 19m via I 5 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a quick trip. With a recommended one-day itinerary, you'll find this drive efficient and uncomplicated, perfect for getting you to your destination without much fuss.
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
85 miles from Vancouver, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
152.4 mi
2h 55m
I 405
13.8 mi
17m
WA 520
1.2 mi
1m
92nd Avenue Northeast
0.7 mi
1m
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 152.4 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 223 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,397 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~447 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.8×
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 Vancouver, WA and Clyde Hill, WA.
1
Start on East Fourth Plain Boulevard
100 ft·9 sec·East Fourth Plain Boulevard
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
3
Merge onto I 5
132 mi·2 hr 29 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
5
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 405
14 mi·17 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 14Toward WA 520: Seattle, RedmondUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 520 West: SeattleUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto WA 520
1.2 mi·1 min·WA 520
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward 92nd Avenue NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto 92nd Avenue Northeast
219 ft·4 sec·92nd Avenue Northeast
13
Continue on 92nd Avenue Northeast
0.6 mi·1 min·92nd Avenue Northeast
14
Arrive at destination
92nd Avenue Northeast
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of around 3 hours and 19 minutes, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the heaviest rush hour traffic in both Vancouver and the Seattle metro area. You'll want to plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, fill up before you leave Vancouver to ensure you have enough for the entire 170-mile trip, especially since the longest stretch is over 150 miles on I 5.
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 85 miles from Vancouver, WA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.4 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 36m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clyde Hill, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Vancouver, 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 Vancouver, WA
This is one driving day of about 170 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Vancouver, 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 152.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 131.9 and 167.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
131.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
152.6 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
152.6 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
166.8 mi into trip|~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 14
Toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
7
167.3 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 520 West: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WA 520 West: Seattle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.67 one way
$75.34 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$39.52
$79.04
premium
$6.08
$40.69
$81.39
diesel
$5.35
$35.81
$71.61
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: 59.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Efficient EV
42.5
0
$14.88
$6.80
EV Truck/SUV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Vancouver, WA
Evening
in Vancouver on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
NW 2 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Clyde Hill, WA
Evening
in Clyde Hill on Wednesday
Local time
5:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 3 mph0% chanceLive 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
3 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
3h 19m on the road
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.
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 drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll encounter a 152.4-mile stretch on I 5, indicating a long period of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring very late in the trip. Expect to navigate urban merging as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 131.9 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 170 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 131.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
361 ft41 ft
Total Climb
961 ft
Total Descent
852 ft
Highest Point
361 ft
~145.7 mi in
Elevation Range
320 ft
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 Vancouver, WA to Clyde Hill, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bellevue along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site of the United States in Washington (state)
•Interstate Bridge — highway bridge in Oregon and Washington, USA
•Kiggins Theatre — single-screen theatre located in downtown Vancouver, WA
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m 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 152.4 miles on I 5. 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 Clyde Hill, 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: at 131.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Clyde Hill, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
