Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
193.8 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
Photo: Josh Hild
The drive from Forks, WA to Seattle, WA covers 193.8 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Lauridsen Boulevard, South Race Street, East 1st Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.93 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
96.9 miles from Forks, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 41m drive with frequent turns across 193.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lauridsen Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Race Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 104 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hood Canal Floating Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 3 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 3 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 16 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Forks, WA and Seattle, WA.
Start on South Forks Avenue
Take the exit slight right toward Lauridsen Boulevard
Turn left onto South Race Street
Turn right onto East 1st Street
Take the exit right
Keep slight left to continue on State Route 104
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Route 104
Exit the roundabout onto State Route 104
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 104
Exit the roundabout onto State Route 104
Continue on Hood Canal Floating Bridge
Take the exit slight right
Merge slight left onto State Highway 3 Northeast
Continue on State Highway 3 West
Continue on West State Route 16
Continue on State Highway 16
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
Merge slight left
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight left toward Seneca Street
Turn left onto Seneca Street
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Turn right onto Madison Street
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.9 miles or 1h 50m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seattle, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Forks, 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 Forks, WA
This is one driving day of about 193.8 miles and 3h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 96.9 mi from Forks, WA · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 96.9 miles from Forks, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$39.93 one way
$79.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $42.48 | $84.95 |
| premium | $5.77 | $44.03 | $88.06 |
| diesel | $5.47 | $41.71 | $83.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.35 | $9.30 |
| Efficient EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.96 | $7.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Forks on Saturday
Local time
4:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Seattle on Saturday
Local time
4:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
38°F
Bremerton, WA
97 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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