Origin
Fircrest, WA
Night in Fircrest on Sunday
Local time
9:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fircrest, WA to Seattle, WA
Drive Time
49m
Distance
36.8 mi
59 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fircrest, WA
Alex Stone
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
Traveling the 36.8 miles from Fircrest to Seattle is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 49 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a quick day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily utilize I-5, WA-16, and Columbia Avenue to navigate between these two Pacific Coast locations. With a fuel budget of just $8, it is a highly economical route for those looking to reach the city efficiently. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a brief excursion, the drive is practical and uncomplicated. Expect a direct experience that prioritizes speed over sightseeing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18.4 miles from Fircrest, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 92% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 32.2 miles along I-5. The route transitions from local streets like Columbia Avenue onto the major arteries of WA-16 and I-5, shifting the feel from suburban driving to a faster interstate pace. Do not expect technical winding roads here; instead, anticipate a steady, consistent flow of traffic as you navigate toward the city. It is a utilitarian trek designed to move you from point A to point B with minimal deviation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.7 miles in near South Orchard Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 36.8 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 0.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Orchard Street
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
36.4 mi into trip
|
~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
36.7 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 32.2 mi | 40m |
| WA 16 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Columbia Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Alameda Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Orchard Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 19th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Seneca Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 32.2 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fircrest, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on Alameda Avenue
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Alameda Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Columbia Avenue
3
Continue on South 19th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South 19th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Orchard Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto WA 16
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
WA 16
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 5
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft
·
18 sec
·
Seneca Street
13
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
14
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
15
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 49-minute trip with zero planned stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. However, given the heavy reliance on I-5, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you stay within your estimated travel time. You will not need to worry about mid-trip refueling thanks to the low $8 fuel cost, but it is always wise to check your levels before leaving Fircrest. Because the drive is short, use the time to plan your arrival in Seattle rather than worrying about road fatigue. Keep a close eye on traffic alerts for the I-5 corridor, as road conditions can change rapidly on this busy highway stretch.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 18.4 miles from Fircrest, WA, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.2 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 36.8 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.4 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
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 Fircrest, 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 Fircrest, WA
This is one driving day of about 36.8 miles and 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fircrest, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 32.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.4 mi from Fircrest, WA · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.4 miles from Fircrest, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Seattle, WA
The final approach into Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.72 one way
$15.45 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $8.07 | $16.13 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.36 | $16.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.18 | $16.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11 | 0 | $3.86 | $1.77 |
| Efficient EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.22 | $1.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.36 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Seattle, WA
Night in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
9:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
3 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
49m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fircrest, WA to Seattle, WA covers 36.8 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 16, Columbia Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.4 miles from Fircrest, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 36.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fircrest, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Seattle, WA
More trips to Seattle, WA
Explore more options from Fircrest, WA or browse trips ending in Seattle, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Fircrest, WA or Seattle, WA on MapSof.net.