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Trip from Woodland, WA to Seattle, WA

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

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

144.9 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

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

town in Washington state, United States

Woodland, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of King County, State of Washington, United States

Seattle, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Woodland, WA to Seattle, WA is 144.9 miles and takes about 2h 50m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, traversing the Pacific Coast region on primarily highway. Expect a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single-day journey. The route is efficient, making it a practical choice for getting between these two points without much fuss. Consider this your go-to option for a quick hop up the coast.

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

72.5 miles from Woodland, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 143.3 mi 2h 46m
Atlantic Avenue 0.7 mi 1m
Lewis River Road 0.2 mi <1m
5th Avenue 0.1 mi <1m
Seneca Street <0.1 mi <1m
Madison Street <0.1 mi <1m
Goerig Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 143.3 mi, about 2h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Woodland, WA and Seattle, WA.

1

Start on Goerig Street

72 ft · 2 sec · Goerig Street
2

Keep slight right at fork onto Lewis River Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Lewis River Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Turn left onto Atlantic Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Atlantic Avenue
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
5

Merge onto I 5

111 mi · 2 hr 6 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

32 mi · 39 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 165 Toward Seneca Street Use the slight left lane.
8

Turn left onto Seneca Street

323 ft · 18 sec · Seneca Street
9

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
10

Turn right onto Madison Street

113 ft · 9 sec · Madison Street
11

Turn left

31 ft · 2 sec
12

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 50m estimated duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, so you can depart at your leisure. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, planning is minimal. However, be mindful of the longest stretch on I 5; ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Since the drive is short and efficient, you have the flexibility to add personal stops along the way if desired. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach Seattle, as congestion can be a factor.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Woodland, WA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.3 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 32 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.5 miles or 1h 23m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seattle, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Woodland, 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 Woodland, WA

This is one driving day of about 144.9 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Woodland, 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 143.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Thurston County, Washington, United States, and Washington federated state capital city

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Olympia, WA

72 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.

Popular next leg

Olympia, WA to Seattle, WA

61 mi · 1h 18m

Pacing Suggestions

Chehalis, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tumwater, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.5 miles from Woodland, 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 143.3 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 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 144.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Lewis River Road

Keep slight right at fork onto Lewis River Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 5

Merge onto I 5

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
112.5 mi into trip | ~2h 9m 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.
7
144.5 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in

Take the exit toward Seneca Street

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 165 Toward Seneca Street
7
144.8 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in | 5th Avenue

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.33 one way

$60.65 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $31.80 $63.61
premium $5.77 $32.90 $65.81
diesel $5.61 $31.99 $63.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.5 0 $15.21 $6.96
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.68 $5.80
EV Truck/SUV 58 0 $20.29 $9.27

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 15, 2026

Origin

Woodland, WA

Night in Woodland on Saturday

Local time

9:26 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Seattle, WA

Night in Seattle on Saturday

Local time

9:26 PM

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

2 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

2h 50m 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.

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...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 144.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the journey taking place on major roads like I 5. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 143.3 miles on I 5, meaning minimal turns and consistent speeds. While the profile is predominantly highway, you will also navigate sections of Atlantic Avenue and Lewis River Road. This blend offers a consistent driving experience, allowing you to cover ground efficiently. Prepare for a drive dominated by the flow of interstate traffic.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.3 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Atlantic Avenue. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lewis River Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lewis River Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 144.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 143.3 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lewis River Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Seattle, WA before heading back.

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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