Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Vancouver, WA to Mead, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 2m

Distance

367.7 mi

592 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$77

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 51m ★
6 AM
7h 2m
8 AM
7h 25m
10 AM
7h 10m
12 PM
7h 8m
3 PM
7h 11m
5 PM
7h 24m
8 PM
6h 55m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Mead, WA, WA

Mead, WA

Dmytro Glazunov

Trip Overview

This 367.7-mile journey from Vancouver, WA to Mead, WA takes approximately 7 hours and 2 minutes of driving time, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip. You'll navigate a mix of highways, with about 38% on higher-speed roads, and spend a significant stretch on the Columbia River Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $77, this drive offers a direct path within the Pacific Coast region. The route includes 2 planned stops, and the longest uninterrupted segment is 158.1 miles. Consider this a straightforward drive with practical considerations for your travel day.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

183.8 miles from Vancouver, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Columbia River Highway 158.1 mi 2h 55m
US 395 131.2 mi 2h 21m
McNary Highway 29.9 mi 33m
Old Oregon Trail Highway 11.4 mi 12m
I 90 5.3 mi 6m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway 5.2 mi 6m
Lewis and Clark Trail 4.9 mi 6m
Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge 4.1 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Columbia River Highway — 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vancouver, WA and Mead, WA.

1

Start on East Fourth Plain Boulevard

329 ft · 9 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
3

Merge onto I 5

0.7 mi · 55 sec · I 5
4

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward WA 14 East: Camas Use the slight right lane.
5

Continue on WA 14

5.2 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 6 Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 205 South: Salem Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 205

4.1 mi · 5 min · Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 22 Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 84; US 30

158 mi · 2 hr 55 min · Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 84; US 30

11 mi · 12 min · Old Oregon Trail Highway
12

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla
13

Continue on I 82

30 mi · 33 min · McNary Highway
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395

3.3 mi · 4 min · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
15

Continue on US 395

1.1 mi · 2 min · South US 395
16

Continue on US 395

4.9 mi · 6 min · Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit onto US 395

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 395
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 395
Toward US 395
19

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395

131 mi · 2 hr 20 min · US 395
Toward US 395 North: Spokane Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 2; US 395
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward Freya Street, Thor Street
22

Continue on East 3rd Avenue

0.3 mi · 48 sec · East 3rd Avenue
23

Turn left onto South Freya Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Freya Street
24

Continue on North Freya Way

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North Freya Way
25

Continue on North Greene Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Greene Street
26

Turn right onto East Carlisle Avenue

0.3 mi · 55 sec · East Carlisle Avenue
27

Turn left onto North Freya Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · North Freya Street
28

Enter roundabout onto East Wellesley Avenue

234 ft · 13 sec · East Wellesley Avenue
29

Continue on East Wellesley Avenue

408 ft · 17 sec · East Wellesley Avenue
30

Enter roundabout

17 ft · 0 sec
31

Continue

0.4 mi · 54 sec
32

Merge onto Future US 395

3.3 mi · 4 min · North Spokane Corridor
33

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward East Parksmith Drive
34

Turn right onto East Parksmith Drive

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Parksmith Drive
35

Turn left onto North Market Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Market Street
36

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, an early start from Vancouver, WA is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for your two planned stops. While the drive is feasible in one day, be mindful of the longest stretch of 158.1 miles on the Columbia River Highway; plan your breaks accordingly to stay refreshed. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially as you transition between the various main roads like US 395 and McNary Highway. The estimated fuel cost of $77 is a good budget anchor for this 367.7-mile trip.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.8 miles from Vancouver, WA, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.1 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 81 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 183.8 miles or 3h 29m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mead, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Vancouver, WA

This is one driving day of about 367.7 miles and 7h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Vancouver, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Columbia River Highway for about 158.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Granger, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Granger, WA

184 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

Yacolt, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hermiston, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 183.8 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 Columbia River Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.1 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

DEDIKO

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vancouver, Washington

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Hours: 5–9 pm

+13603144370

Visit website

The Plainsman

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Vancouver, Washington

1.9 mi

Peachtree Restaurant & Pie House

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Vancouver, Washington

2.2 mi

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

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

Posies Bakery & Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm

+15032891319

Visit website

Round1 Bowling & Arcade Vancouver Mall

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15648882515

Visit website

Firehouse Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour Moderately

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 5–8 pm

+15039541702

Visit website

USA Subs & Grill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 183.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+15415672260

Cafe Eleven PDX, LLC

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Portland, Oregon

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+15039541375

Visit website

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

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 367.7

Mead, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

+18888074522

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

2.0 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

Hours: 8:45 am–5:45 pm

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electric Circuit Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18006869243

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 367.7

Spokane, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

Cat Tales Wildlife Center

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 367.7

Mead, Washington

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+15092384126

Visit website

Twisted Escape Rooms

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Vancouver, Washington

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13608333227

Visit website

Funland Playground | Butte Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 183.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15416675018

Visit website

McKenzie Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 183.8

Hermiston, Oregon

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15416675018

Visit website

Maxwell Siding Railroad Museum

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 183.8

Hermiston, Oregon

+15413717522

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 23

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 222.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the exit toward WA 14 East: Camas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1A Toward WA 14 East: Camas
8
6.9 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 205: Salem, Seattle

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 6 Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
7
7.3 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 South: Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
11.7 mi into trip | ~16m in

Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles

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 22 Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
7
222.1 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in | US 395

Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley

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. Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$76.96 one way

$153.91 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $80.71 $161.41
premium $5.77 $83.50 $167.00
diesel $5.61 $81.18 $162.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$77

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$102–$127

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 110.3 1 $38.61 $17.65
Efficient EV 91.9 1 $32.17 $14.71
EV Truck/SUV 147.1 1 $51.48 $23.53

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Vancouver, WA

Evening in Vancouver on Saturday

Local time

6:10 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mead, WA

Evening in Mead on Saturday

Local time

6:10 PM

PDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

46°F

Granger, WA

184 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

10 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

7h 2m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending faster highway sections with more local road experiences. While 38% of the journey involves higher-speed routes like US 395, you'll also encounter the Columbia River Highway, which offers a different driving dynamic for a substantial 158.1 miles. This longest stretch means you'll have a good amount of time to settle into a rhythm before needing to make a significant change in pace or direction. The profile suggests a varied driving experience, not a monotonous interstate cruise.

38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.1 mi on Columbia River Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 around 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 23 significant decision points across 367.7 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Mead, WA, road signs point toward Umatilla, Pasco, Spokane and Finley.

Umatilla

182 mi in | ~3h 26m

Pasco

212.8 mi in | ~4h 1m | via US 395

Spokane

212.8 mi in | ~4h 1m | via US 395

Finley

222.1 mi in | ~4h 14m | via US 395

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 7h 2m. Total distance: 367.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 158.1 miles on Columbia River Highway. 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 Mead, 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 2 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mead, WA before the return drive.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Vancouver, WA

Colville, WA 427.6 mi · 8h 19m Spokane Valley, WA 365 mi · 6h 52m Clarkston, WA 337.9 mi · 6h 48m Wenatchee, WA 291.9 mi · 5h 49m Sunnyslope, WA 289.2 mi · 5h 42m Dayton, WA 271.7 mi · 5h 24m

More trips to Mead, WA

Everett, WA 312.6 mi Tacoma, WA 304.4 mi Seattle, WA 291 mi Kirkland, WA 290.6 mi Renton, WA 290.5 mi Yakima, WA 213.6 mi
Escape planner: Vancouver, WA Scenic drives in WA

Explore more options from Vancouver, WA or browse trips ending in Mead, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.