Origin
Longview, WA
Evening in Longview on Sunday
Local time
8:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Longview, WA to Seattle, WA
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
127.5 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Longview, WA
Alok Sharma
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
Traveling from Longview to Seattle covers 127.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel to complete the journey. The route stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the travel environment consistent as you head north. It is a practical, efficient connection between these two Washington cities, ideal for commuters or travelers looking for a direct route. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, this trip is manageable enough to tackle in one go without feeling exhausted upon arrival.
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
63.8 miles from Longview, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very consistent experience on this route, as 97% of your travel takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a significant 124.3-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. While you start by navigating local segments like Washington Way and North Kelso Avenue, you will quickly transition into a standard interstate grind. The personality of the road is functional and fast-paced rather than winding or technical. Being behind the wheel here requires staying alert for heavy traffic patterns common on this major corridor, but you will find the path straightforward and easy to navigate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 124.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Washington Way. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 16th Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
16th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
95.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m 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
127.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 124.3 mi | 2h 25m |
| Washington Way | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Kelso Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Cowlitz Way | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Pacific Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 16th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Seneca Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 124.3 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on Olympia Way
120 ft
·
4 sec
·
Olympia Way
2
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
16th Avenue
3
Continue on 16th Avenue
238 ft
·
8 sec
·
16th Avenue
4
Continue on Washington Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Way
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on WA 4
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cowlitz Way
6
Turn left onto North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Pacific Avenue
7
Continue on North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kelso Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
9
Merge onto I 5
92 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft
·
18 sec
·
Seneca Street
13
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
14
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
15
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key, as traffic along I-5 can vary significantly; aim to leave outside of peak morning or evening rush hours to keep your travel time closer to the 2-hour and 34-minute estimate. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever it suits your personal schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Longview, as setting aside $27 for gas is a baseline expectation for the trip. Since the drive is relatively short, consider using that single planned stop to grab a quick meal or coffee to stay refreshed. Being prepared for the high-speed nature of the interstate will help you enjoy a smoother, less stressful drive into Seattle.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.8 miles from Longview, WA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.3 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.8 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m
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 Longview, 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 Longview, WA
This is one driving day of about 127.5 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Longview, 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 124.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.8 mi from Longview, WA · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 63.8 miles from Longview, 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 124.3 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Seattle, 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
$26.76 one way
$53.52 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $27.94 | $55.89 |
| premium | $5.77 | $28.97 | $57.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.33 | $56.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.39 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.16 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.85 | $8.16 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
8:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
2 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
2h 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 Longview, WA to Seattle, WA covers 127.5 miles and takes about 2h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Washington Way, North Kelso Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.8 miles from Longview, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.76 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.
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 straightforward 2h 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Longview, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Seattle, WA
More from Longview, WA
More trips to Seattle, WA
Explore more options from Longview, WA or browse trips ending in Seattle, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Longview, WA or Seattle, WA on MapSof.net.