Origin
Mount Vernon, WA
Morning in Mount Vernon on Friday
Local time
10:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Vernon, WA to Seattle, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
61.8 mi
99 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Vernon, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 61.8-mile drive from Mount Vernon, WA, to Seattle, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 17 minutes. With 97% of the journey on highways, you'll primarily be on I-5, making it a focused, efficient commute. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13, a modest amount for the distance covered. This route keeps you within the Pacific Coast region, offering a direct connection between these two Washington cities. It’s a practical option for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 61.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 97% of the 61.8 miles spent on high-speed roads, primarily I-5. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 60.1 miles on I-5, allowing for a consistent pace. You'll begin on local roads like South 2nd Street and 5th Avenue in Mount Vernon before merging onto the interstate. This route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours, offering a direct path to Seattle.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 60.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and South 2nd Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Fulton Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 17m 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 0.1 miles (East Fulton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (West Kincaid Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Fulton Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Fulton Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Kincaid Street
Turn left onto West Kincaid Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
61.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 60.1 mi | 1h 11m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Kincaid Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Union Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 5th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 4th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Fulton Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 60.1 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on North 5th Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
North 5th Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Fulton Street
276 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Fulton Street
3
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North 4th Street
4
Continue on WA 99
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South 2nd Street
5
Turn left onto West Kincaid Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Kincaid Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
7
Merge onto I 5
60 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 165B
Toward Union Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on Union Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Union Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
12
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.9 mi from Mount Vernon, WA · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.9 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 60.1 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
$12.93 one way
$25.87 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $13.56 | $27.13 |
| premium | $5.77 | $14.03 | $28.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.64 | $27.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.49 | $2.97 |
| Efficient EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.41 | $2.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Morning in Seattle on Friday
Local time
10:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 8 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:49AM PDT until April 17 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:33AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 17m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mount Vernon, WA to Seattle, WA covers 61.8 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, South 2nd Street, 5th 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 30.9 miles from Mount Vernon, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.93 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 1h 17m 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 0.1 miles (East Fulton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (West Kincaid Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mount Vernon, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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