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Trip from Vancouver, WA to Machias, 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 58m

Distance

196.2 mi

316 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 45m ★
6 AM
3h 58m
8 AM
4h 24m
10 AM
4h 7m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Machias, WA, WA

Machias, WA

Jan van der Wolf

Trip Overview

This 196.2-mile drive from Vancouver, WA, to Machias, WA, is a straightforward highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes. With 97% of the route on highways, primarily using I-5, I-405, and State Route 9, you'll find this trip efficient and predictable. The estimated fuel cost is around $41, making it an economical option for a day trip. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so expect a consistent feel throughout the drive. This route is well-suited for those looking for a direct and no-fuss travel experience within Washington.

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

98.1 miles from Vancouver, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 152.4 mi 2h 55m
I 405 22.3 mi 27m
State Route 9 13.9 mi 21m
WA 522 2.4 mi 2m
20th Street Southeast 1.1 mi 1m
South Lake Stevens Road 0.6 mi 1m
South Machias Road 0.6 mi 1m
Williams Road 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 152.4 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vancouver, WA and Machias, 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-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto I 405

19 mi · 24 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

3.0 mi · 3 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 25 sec
Toward WA 522 East: Woodinville
11

Merge onto WA 522

2.4 mi · 2 min · WA 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto WA 9

5.7 mi · 9 min · State Route 9
Use the left lane.
14

Continue on WA 9

5.3 mi · 7 min · State Route 9
15

Enter roundabout onto WA 9

83 ft · 1 sec · State Route 9
16

Continue on WA 9

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 9
Use the straight lane.
17

Enter roundabout onto South Lake Stevens Road

39 ft · 0 sec · South Lake Stevens Road
18

Continue on South Lake Stevens Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Lake Stevens Road
19

Turn right onto 20th Street Southeast

1.1 mi · 1 min · 20th Street Southeast
20

Continue on Williams Road

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Williams Road
21

At end of road, turn right onto Machias Cutoff

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Machias Cutoff
22

Turn left onto South Machias Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Machias Road
23

Turn left onto Division Street

299 ft · 13 sec · Division Street
24

Arrive at destination

Division Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3-hour and 58-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll want to depart early to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan any brief stops. With only one recommended stop on this 196.2-mile route, you can afford to be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch without a break is over 150 miles, so plan your fuel and rest accordingly before embarking on that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so ensure your tank is full before you set off to avoid any last-minute detours for gas.

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 98.1 miles from Vancouver, WA, or about 1h 51m 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 43 miles or 49m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 98.1 miles or 1h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Machias, 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 196.2 miles and 3h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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.

Downtown Fife Heights, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fife Heights, WA

98 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

Kelso, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tumwater, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.1 miles from Vancouver, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Black Bear Diner Lakewood

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lakewood, Washington

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 126.1

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12532670238

Visit website

Yi's Traditional Korean Beef Soup Restaurant (이가네 전통 설렁탕)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lakewood, Washington

0.9 mi

DEDIKO

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vancouver, Washington

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bellevue, Washington

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 168.1

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Renton, Washington

1.9 mi

Cafe Seoul

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Federal Way, Washington

2.3 mi

Black Bear Diner Lakewood

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 126.1

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12532670238

Visit website

Yi's Traditional Korean Beef Soup Restaurant (이가네 전통 설렁탕)

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 126.1

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 8:30 am–9 pm

+12533011655

Visit website

DEDIKO

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13603144370

Visit website

The Plainsman

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 7:30 am–2:30 pm

+13606939723

Visit website

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $100 or ab mile 168.1

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14254560010

Visit website

Castilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 168.1

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+14256252931

Visit website

Bai Tong Thai Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 168.1

Redmond, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14257478424

Visit website

Peachtree Restaurant & Pie House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13606936736

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 168.1

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 154.1

Renton, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12532368630

Visit website

Cafe Seoul

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 140.1

Federal Way, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12064605185

Visit website

Daisy Mae's Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 154.1

Kent, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–5 pm

+12538725580

Krays Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+13609524877

Visit website

Gravity Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately mile 126.1

Lakewood, Washington

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12534478740

Visit website

Port of Kalama

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 28

Kalama, Washington

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13606732325

Visit website

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 112.1

Olympia, Washington

+13607539467

Visit website

Devil-ish Little Things Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

+15038414232

Visit website

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+13608166230

Visit website

Esther Short Park and Playground

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+13604878311

Visit website

Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 168.1

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14255873300

Visit website

Brewers Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 182.1

Snohomish, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–6 pm

Visit website

Wilburton Hill Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 168.1

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–8:30 pm

+14254526914

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 131.9 and 179 — 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
175.3 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in

Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville

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 23 Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
7
179 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.06 one way

$82.13 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $43.06 $86.13
premium $5.77 $44.55 $89.11
diesel $5.61 $43.32 $86.64

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.9 0 $20.60 $9.42
Efficient EV 49.1 0 $17.17 $7.85
EV Truck/SUV 78.5 0 $27.47 $12.56

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Vancouver, WA

Evening in Vancouver on Saturday

Local time

7:50 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNW 2 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Destination

Machias, WA

Evening in Machias on Saturday

Local time

7:50 PM

PDT

Current temp

39°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNE 2 mph 1% chance 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

2 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 58m 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

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 162.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with a substantial 97% share of the miles covered on major interstates and state routes. The drive features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 152.4 miles on I-5, allowing for steady progress. While the profile is described as highway-focused, the inclusion of State Route 9 suggests you may transition to a different type of road for the latter part of your journey. This mix implies a drive that balances efficient interstate travel with potentially more local road characteristics as you approach Machias.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 196.2 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.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Vancouver, WA and Machias, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue, Woodinville and Arlington.

Bellevue

152.6 mi in | ~2h 55m

Woodinville

175.3 mi in | ~3h 24m

Arlington

179 mi in | ~3h 29m

About the Cities

Starting 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 58m. Total distance: 196.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.

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 Machias, 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 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Machias, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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