Origin
Forks, WA
Afternoon in Forks on Monday
Local time
12:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forks, WA to Seattle, WA
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
159.3 mi
256 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 14m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
Traveling from Forks to Seattle spans 159.3 miles and typically requires about 4 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is straightforward, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stop. Your route will primarily utilize South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, and State Highway 3 Northeast to navigate from the Pacific Coast toward your destination. Budgeting approximately $33 for fuel will cover your transit costs for this leg of your Washington road trip. While you remain within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the drive, the transition from the rugged Olympic Peninsula to the urban environment of Seattle is significant. It is a practical, manageable route that offers plenty of flexibility for your travel schedule.
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
79.7 miles from Forks, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 23% of the journey spent on highways, the road feels more intimate and winding as you navigate the local corridors. You will encounter your longest stretch of continuous driving early on, covering 55.4 miles along South Forks Avenue. The character of the road shifts as you transition away from the coastal town atmosphere toward the more structured road networks nearing Seattle. Be prepared for a technical driving experience where the pace is dictated by the road's curvature rather than high-speed highway traffic.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Forks Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 55.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 101.6 miles in near WA 104 / State Route 104.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 159.3 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 101.6 miles (WA 104 / State Route 104): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 137.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles (WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
101.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
WA 104 / State Route 104
Enter roundabout onto WA 104 / State Route 104
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
137.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth Ferry
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.
Toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth F...
6
137.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
|
WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road
Turn left onto WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
158.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
159.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Forks, WA to Seattle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Southworth Ferry along the way.
Southworth Ferry
137.3 mi in
|
~3h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Forks Avenue | 55.4 mi | 1h 21m |
| East 1st Street | 35.9 mi | 53m |
| State Highway 3 Northeast | 23.2 mi | 31m |
| Southeast Sedgwick Road | 7.3 mi | 13m |
| State Route 104 | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry | 4.8 mi | 29m |
| Fauntleroy Way Southwest | 3.7 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 16 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
South Forks Avenue
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forks, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on US 101
55 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
South Forks Avenue
2
Take the exit onto Lauridsen Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Lauridsen Boulevard
3
Turn left onto South Race Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Race Street
4
Turn right onto US 101
36 mi
·
53 min
·
East 1st Street
5
Take the exit
8.7 mi
·
11 min
6
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 104
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
State Route 104
7
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
101 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Route 104
8
Continue on WA 104
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 104
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
117 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Route 104
10
Continue on WA 104
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Route 104
11
Continue on WA 104
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Hood Canal Floating Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto WA 3
23 mi
·
31 min
·
State Highway 3 Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on WA 3
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3 West
15
Continue on WA 16
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
West State Route 16
16
Continue on WA 16
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth Ferry
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto WA 160
232 ft
·
5 sec
·
Southwest Sedgwick Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Continue on WA 160
7.3 mi
·
13 min
·
Southeast Sedgwick Road
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto WA 160
171 ft
·
4 sec
·
Southeast Sedgwick Road
21
Continue on WA 160
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Southworth Ferry
22
Turn straight onto WA 160
4.8 mi
·
29 min
·
Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry
23
Continue on Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
24
At end of road, turn left onto Fauntleroy Way Southwest
3.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Fauntleroy Way Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
25
Continue on West Seattle Bridge
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Seattle Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 5
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
Use the slight left lane.
29
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft
·
18 sec
·
Seneca Street
30
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
31
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
32
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-five-hour drive, you have the advantage of being able to depart at your leisure, though leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion as you approach the city. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the winding nature of the roads can be more taxing than a standard highway route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Forks, as finding a convenient spot to refill is easier before you hit the more densely populated stretches. Given the heavy reliance on local roads, always check for unexpected closures or construction on State Highway 3 Northeast before you pull out of your driveway. Enjoy the flexibility this distance offers by keeping your itinerary light and open to spontaneous breaks along the way.
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 79.7 miles from Forks, WA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 80 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 59m 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 10m
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 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 159.3 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Forks, 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 South Forks Avenue for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.7 mi from Forks, WA · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.7 miles from Forks, 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
$33.43 one way
$66.87 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $34.91 | $69.83 |
| premium | $5.77 | $36.19 | $72.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.39 | $70.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.73 | $7.65 |
| Efficient EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.94 | $6.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
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.
Destination
Seattle, WA
Afternoon in Seattle on Monday
Local time
12:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Light Rain Likely
S 7 mph
69% chance
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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 27m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Forks, WA to Seattle, WA covers 159.3 miles and takes about 4h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 3 Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.7 miles from Forks, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 159.3 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 101.6 miles (WA 104 / State Route 104): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 137.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 137.6 miles (WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Forks, WA to Seattle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Southworth Ferry along the way.
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