Origin
Grand Mound, WA
Afternoon in Grand Mound on Thursday
Local time
12:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Mound, WA to Seattle, WA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
78.8 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Mound, WA
Siarhei Nester
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 78.8-mile drive from Grand Mound, WA, to Seattle, WA, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5, with brief segments on Old Highway 99 Southwest and US 12 West, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's an economical option for traversing between these two points within the Pacific Coast region. Given its short duration and minimal stops recommended, you can expect a direct and efficient journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Grand Mound, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is 99% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed interstate travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 76.8 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. While the primary focus is on efficient travel, occasional brief diversions onto Old Highway 99 Southwest and US 12 West might offer minor changes in scenery before rejoining the main thoroughfare. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 76.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Old Highway 99 Southwest. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
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 78.8 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 12 / US 12 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 12 / US 12 West
Turn right onto US 12 / US 12 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
46.4 mi into trip
|
~57m 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
78.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 76.8 mi | 1h 33m |
| Old Highway 99 Southwest | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 12 West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Seneca Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 76.8 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Mound, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on this road
292 ft
·
26 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
99 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn right onto Old Highway 99 Southwest
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Highway 99 Southwest
4
Enter roundabout onto Old Highway 99 Southwest
82 ft
·
4 sec
·
Old Highway 99 Southwest
5
Continue on Old Highway 99 Southwest
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Old Highway 99 Southwest
6
Turn right onto US 12
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 12 West
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 5 North
8
Merge onto I 5
45 mi
·
53 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
Use the slight left lane.
11
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft
·
18 sec
·
Seneca Street
12
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
14
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 38-minute journey, flexibility is key. You can easily depart Grand Mound, WA, at a time that suits you, as there are no recommended overnight stops. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially if you plan any detours once you arrive in Seattle; the $16 fuel cost is based on the direct route. The longest stretch on I-5 means you can cover significant ground quickly, so plan for minimal rest stops unless needed. A practical tip: consider departing before the typical morning rush hour to make your arrival into Seattle smoother.
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 39.4 miles from Grand Mound, WA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.8 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
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 Grand Mound, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Grand Mound, WA
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Grand Mound, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 76.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Grand Mound, WA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Grand Mound, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.8 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.49 one way
$32.98 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $17.30 | $34.59 |
| premium | $5.77 | $17.89 | $35.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.40 | $34.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 Thursday
Local time
12:00 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
5 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
1h 38m 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 Grand Mound, WA to Seattle, WA covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Old Highway 99 Southwest, US 12 West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.4 miles from Grand Mound, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.49 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (US 12 / US 12 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.4 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Grand Mound, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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