Origin
Larch Way, WA
Night in Larch Way on Thursday
Local time
9:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Larch Way, WA to Seattle, WA
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
29m
Distance
19.5 mi
31 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Larch Way, WA
Petr Ganaj
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 19.5-mile drive from Larch Way, WA to Seattle, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 29 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, it's an economical option for getting from point A to point B. Since there are no recommended overnight stops, you can plan this as a quick transit or a segment of a larger adventure. The drive offers a consistent experience, ideal for those prioritizing efficiency over a leisurely pace.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 19.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 19.5-mile journey, with 77% of the route on major highways like I-5. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 15 miles on I-5, allowing for steady progress. The drive begins on local roads like Larch Way and 196th Street Southwest before merging onto the interstate. While primarily a highway drive, the initial and final segments offer a brief change of pace on surface streets. This route is designed for moving efficiently, with the interstate forming the backbone of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 15 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Larch Way. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near WA 524 / Filbert Road.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 19.5 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 1.7 miles (WA 524 / Filbert Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
WA 524 / Filbert Road
Enter roundabout onto WA 524 / Filbert Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5 South
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
18.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Union Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 165B
Toward Union Street
7
19.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 15 mi | 18m |
| Larch Way | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 196th Street Southwest | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Filbert Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 172nd Street Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Union Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 15 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Larch Way, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on this road
157 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
64 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left onto 172nd Street Southwest
280 ft
·
12 sec
·
172nd Street Southwest
4
Continue on 172nd Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
172nd Street Southwest
5
Turn right onto Larch Way
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Larch Way
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 524
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
Filbert Road
7
Continue on WA 524
393 ft
·
9 sec
·
Filbert Road
8
Enter roundabout onto WA 524
90 ft
·
2 sec
·
Filbert Road
9
Continue on WA 524
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Filbert Road
10
Continue on WA 524
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
196th Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 5
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 165B
Toward Union Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on Union Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Union Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
17
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.08 one way
$8.16 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $4.28 | $8.56 |
| premium | $5.77 | $4.43 | $8.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.31 | $8.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.05 | $0.94 |
| Efficient EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.71 | $0.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.73 | $1.25 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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 Thursday
Local time
9:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
29m 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 Larch Way, WA to Seattle, WA covers 19.5 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Larch Way, 196th Street Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.7 miles from Larch Way, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.08 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 19.5 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 1.7 miles (WA 524 / Filbert Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Larch Way, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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