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Trip from Lofall, WA to Vancouver, WA

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

180.5 mi

291 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 22m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Lofall, WA, WA

Lofall, WA

Rui Dias

Trip Overview

This 180.5-mile drive from Lofall, WA, to Vancouver, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking an estimated 3 hours and 34 minutes. The route is almost entirely highway, clocking in at 99% highway driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, it's an economical journey. You'll traverse the Pacific Coast region twice, as both your starting and ending points are within it. This highway-focused drive offers a straightforward path, making it ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within Washington state.

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

90.3 miles from Lofall, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 99% of your journey on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 130.4 miles on I-5, indicating significant periods of consistent speed and less varied scenery. While primarily on major interstates like I-5, the inclusion of State Highway 16 and State Highway 3 Northwest suggests brief transitions to state highway systems. This mix ensures a relatively fast pace for most of the drive, with the potential for some minor changes in road character as you navigate these different highway types.

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 130.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and State Highway 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northwest.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 180.5 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 1.4 miles (WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.4 miles (WA 16): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.5 miles (WA 16): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northwest

Turn right onto WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
49.4 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | WA 16

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 16 toward I 5 South: Portland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 South: Portland
8
49.5 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | WA 16

Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16 toward I 5 South: Portland South 38th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 South: Portland South 38th Street
7
180.2 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward 4th Plain Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1D Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
8
180.3 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 130.4 mi 2h 27m
State Highway 16 26.5 mi 33m
State Highway 3 Northwest 19.3 mi 25m
State Highway 3 West 2.1 mi 3m
Lofall Road Northwest 0.6 mi 1m
Pioneer Way Northwest 0.5 mi 1m
WA 16 0.4 mi <1m
Northwest Lofall Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 130.4 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lofall, WA and Vancouver, WA.

1

Start on Northwest Lofall Road

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Northwest Lofall Road
2

Continue on Lofall Road Northwest

0.6 mi · 1 min · Lofall Road Northwest
3

At end of road, turn left onto Pioneer Way Northwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · Pioneer Way Northwest
4

Turn right onto WA 3

19 mi · 25 min · State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on WA 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West
6

Continue on WA 16

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West State Route 16
7

Continue on WA 16

27 mi · 33 min · State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 16

0.1 mi · 11 sec · WA 16
Toward I 5 South: Portland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16

0.2 mi · 22 sec · WA 16
Toward I 5 South: Portland South 38th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 5

124 mi · 2 hr 20 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

6.2 mi · 7 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 1D Toward 4th Plain Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

242 ft · 13 sec
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East Use the left lane.
14

Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15

Arrive at destination

East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You'll likely only need one planned stop to break up the 180.5 miles. Consider starting your drive earlier in the day to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Vancouver area. With the longest stretch on I-5 being over 130 miles, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $38 is a good baseline for budgeting this straightforward journey.

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 90.3 miles from Lofall, WA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.4 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 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 90.3 miles or 1h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vancouver, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lofall, 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 Lofall, WA

This is one driving day of about 180.5 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lofall, 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 I 5 for about 130.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 90.3 mi from Lofall, WA · 1h 51m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tacoma, WA

90 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

Centralia, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90.3 miles from Lofall, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.4 miles.

Arriving in Vancouver, WA

The final approach into Vancouver, 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 Vancouver, WA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.78 one way

$75.55 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $39.62 $79.24
premium $5.77 $40.99 $81.98
diesel $5.61 $39.85 $79.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.2 0 $18.95 $8.66
Efficient EV 45.1 0 $15.79 $7.22
EV Truck/SUV 72.2 0 $25.27 $11.55

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Lofall, WA

Late night in Lofall on Wednesday

Local time

1:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vancouver, WA

Late night in Vancouver on Wednesday

Local time

1:10 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°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

9 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

3h 34m 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 Lofall, WA to Vancouver, WA covers 180.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, State Highway 16, State Highway 3 Northwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.3 miles from Lofall, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.78 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 180.5 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 1.4 miles (WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 49.4 miles (WA 16): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 49.5 miles (WA 16): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lofall, WA to Vancouver, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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