This 159.7-mile drive from Vancouver, WA to Southworth, WA will take you about 3 hours and 10 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-5 and WA 16, with a brief section on Southeast Mullenix Road, totaling 94% highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region. It’s a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to get where you're going without needing 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
79.8 miles from Vancouver, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
129.6 mi
2h 26m
WA 16
20.4 mi
25m
Southeast Mullenix Road
2.4 mi
4m
Banner Road Southeast
1.9 mi
3m
Southeast Olalla Valley Road
1.3 mi
2m
Southeast Sedgwick Road
1.2 mi
2m
Southeast Southworth Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Olalla Valley Road Southeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 129.6 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 161 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,907 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~375 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
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 Southworth, 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
130 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 132Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma MallUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
20 mi·25 min·WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Mullenix RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Southeast Mullenix Road
2.4 mi·4 min·Southeast Mullenix Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Olalla Valley Road Southeast
0.3 mi·30 sec·Olalla Valley Road Southeast
11
Continue on Southeast Olalla Valley Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Southeast Olalla Valley Road
12
At end of road, turn left onto Banner Road Southeast
1.9 mi·3 min·Banner Road Southeast
13
Turn right onto WA 160
1.2 mi·2 min·Southeast Sedgwick Road
14
Turn left onto Cottonwood Drive Southeast
0.3 mi·37 sec·Cottonwood Drive Southeast
15
Continue on Southeast Cottonwood Drive
0.1 mi·17 sec·Southeast Cottonwood Drive
16
Turn left onto Stohlton Road Southeast
0.3 mi·40 sec·Stohlton Road Southeast
17
Turn right onto Southeast Southworth Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Southeast Southworth Drive
18
Turn right
35 ft·2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 10 minute duration, you can easily complete this 159.7-mile trip in one day. Consider an early morning departure to take advantage of lighter traffic on I-5, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $33, planning is straightforward. The longest stretch is over 129 miles on I-5, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. Keep an eye on your GPS for the turn onto Southeast Mullenix Road, as it’s a brief but necessary part of the route.
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 79.8 miles from Vancouver, WA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.6 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.8 miles or 1h 30m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southworth, 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 159.7 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 129.6 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 129.8 and 150.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
129.8 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
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 132
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
9
130 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma Mall
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
8
130.2 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
8
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|WA 16
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16 toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
6
150.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward Mullenix Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mullenix Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.39 one way
$70.77 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$37.13
$74.25
premium
$6.08
$38.23
$76.45
diesel
$5.35
$33.64
$67.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.77
$7.67
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.97
$6.39
EV Truck/SUV
63.9
0
$22.36
$10.22
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 25, 2026
Origin
Vancouver, WA
Afternoon
in Vancouver on Wednesday
Local time
4:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 2 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 24 at 1:52PM PDT until April 25 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 24 at 12:26PM PDT until April 25 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Southworth, WA
Afternoon
in Southworth on Wednesday
Local time
4:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
N 3 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 24 at 1:52PM PDT until April 25 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 24 at 12:26PM PDT until April 25 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
49°F
Shelton, WA
80 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 10m 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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 159.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 159.7-mile journey, as 94% of the drive is on major roads like I-5 and WA 16. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 129.6 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. The transition to WA 16 and then Southeast Mullenix Road will introduce some variation, but the overall feel remains that of an efficient, highway-centric drive. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.6 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 129.8 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 159.7 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 129.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
439 ft-5 ft
Total Climb
943 ft
Total Descent
1,055 ft
Highest Point
439 ft
~68.4 mi in
Elevation Range
444 ft
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 Southworth, WA, road signs point toward Bremerton, 38Th Street West and Tacoma Mall.
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
Southworth is a town on the Kitsap Peninsula in the Puget Sound of Washington state. It's ferry terminal to West Seattle and Vashon Island make it a gateway to Port Orchard and the rest of the Kitsap Peninsula.
An important living source for the Suquamish Indians in the 19th century, Southworth became a vacation retreat in the 20th century for Seattle residents. Docks constructed to serve the Mosquito Fleet vessels and private boat owners at the northern end of Colvos Passage before roads were developed in the 1920s now await the large state ferries bound for West Seattle and Vashon Island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 159.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.6 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Southworth, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 129.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.2 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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Southworth, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
