Origin
Lynden, WA
Night in Lynden on Sunday
Local time
9:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lynden, WA to Seattle, WA
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
102.6 mi
165 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
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 Lynden to Seattle covers approximately 102.6 miles, a manageable distance that typically takes around 2 hours and 11 minutes. Because this journey is well within the limits of a comfortable day trip, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $22 on fuel for the one-way trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. You will be traveling entirely within the Pacific Coast region, moving from the northern edge of Washington toward the state's largest metropolitan hub. Since there are no mandatory stops required by the route, you have the flexibility to power through or take breaks as needed. It is a straightforward commute that serves as an efficient link between these two Washington locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Lynden, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of local roads like Hannegan Road and East Sunset Drive before merging onto the primary artery of the trip. The vast majority of your time behind the wheel involves a long, 88.8-mile stretch on I-5, which defines the personality of this drive. While the initial segments require more attention on local roads, the interstate portion is consistent and fast-paced. Expect the environment to shift from the smaller-town feel of Lynden to the high-traffic, multi-lane flow of the approach into Seattle.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 88.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Hannegan Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 1st Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 11m 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: at 0.2 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Street
At end of road, turn right onto 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
13.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
102 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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
102.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
102.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
Madison Street
Turn right onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 88.8 mi | 1h 45m |
| Hannegan Road | 11.6 mi | 19m |
| East Sunset Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
| 1st Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Union Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 88.8 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynden, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Main Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto 1st Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street
3
Continue on Hannegan Road
7.6 mi
·
12 min
·
Hannegan Road
4
Continue on Hannegan Road
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
Hannegan Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Hannegan Road
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Hannegan Road
6
Turn right onto WA 542
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Sunset Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 5 South
8
Merge onto I 5
89 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 165B
Toward Union Street
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on Union Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Union Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
13
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 102.6-mile trip, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable congestion that accompanies the I-5 corridor near Seattle. Since the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in one sitting without needing a formal rest stop. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $22, so topping off your tank before leaving Lynden ensures you won't need to hunt for gas stations in heavier traffic zones. Flexibility is your biggest asset here, as the lack of required stops allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. If you prefer a smoother experience, prioritize clearing the I-5 stretch before the typical morning or evening rush hours begin.
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 51.3 miles from Lynden, WA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.8 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 47m
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 Lynden, 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 Lynden, WA
This is one driving day of about 102.6 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lynden, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 88.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.3 mi from Lynden, WA · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 51.3 miles from Lynden, 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 88.8 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.
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
$21.53 one way
$43.07 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $22.49 | $44.97 |
| premium | $5.77 | $23.31 | $46.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.79 | $45.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.77 | $4.92 |
| Efficient EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.98 | $4.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41 | 0 | $14.36 | $6.57 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Night in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
9:26 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
3 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 11m 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 Lynden, WA to Seattle, WA covers 102.6 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Hannegan Road, East Sunset Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.3 miles from Lynden, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.53 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 is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 13.2 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 102 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lynden, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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