Origin
Connell, WA
Late night in Connell on Friday
Local time
5:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 54m
Distance
256.2 mi
412 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Connell, WA
nicholas hatherly
This 256.2-mile journey from Connell, Washington to Vancouver, Washington is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 4 hours and 54 minutes. You'll primarily be navigating the Columbia River Highway, Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, and Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, this route offers a practical way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it more of a local road experience than a high-speed interstate cruise. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.1 miles from Connell, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 256.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with only a 2% highway share. The roads you'll follow, including the Columbia River Highway, Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, and Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway, offer a more engaging driving experience than a typical freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 158.3 miles along the Columbia River Highway. This suggests a journey that winds through varied landscapes and likely involves more frequent adjustments to speed and direction as you progress.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 244.1 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 256.2 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 244.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 248.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Connell, WA and Vancouver, WA, road signs point toward Pendleton, Columbia Basin College and Tri Cities Airport.
Pendleton
Columbia Basin College
Tri Cities Airport
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River Highway | 158.3 mi | 2h 56m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail Highway | 33.4 mi | 37m |
| Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| Old Oregon Trail Highway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| I 205 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| North US 395 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Connell, WA and Vancouver, WA.
Start on East Clark Street
Turn left onto North Columbia Avenue
Turn left onto WA 260
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 395
Take the exit onto US 395
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
Continue on US 395
Continue on US 395
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 84; US 30
Continue on I 84; US 30
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 205
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto WA 14
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour and 54 minute duration, this trip is best completed in a single day. Departing earlier in the morning will give you ample time to reach Vancouver without feeling rushed, especially considering the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, ensure your vehicle is adequately fueled before departing Connell, as the longest stretch without a break is 158.3 miles. You'll have one recommended stop, which should be sufficient for a brief rest and refueling if needed.
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.
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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vancouver, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Connell, 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 Connell, WA
This is one driving day of about 256.2 miles and 4h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.1 mi from Connell, WA · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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.
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 128.1 miles from Connell, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Columbia River Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 158.3 miles.
The final approach into Vancouver, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Vancouver, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$53.62 one way
$107.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $56.23 | $112.47 |
| premium | $5.77 | $58.18 | $116.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.57 | $113.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.90 | $12.30 |
| Efficient EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.42 | $10.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.5 | 1 | $35.87 | $16.40 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Connell on Friday
Local time
5:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Vancouver on Friday
Local time
5:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
72°F
Warm Springs, OR
128 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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