Origin
Olympia, WA
Evening in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Olympia, WA to Seattle, WA
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
61 mi
98 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
Connecting Olympia and Seattle, this 61-mile journey is an efficient trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Because of the short distance, it is perfectly suited for a single-day outing, meaning you can easily skip an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $13 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Pacific Coast locations. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, making it a straightforward experience rather than a winding backroads excursion. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick city visit, the simplicity of this drive makes it a highly practical choice for your schedule.
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
30.5 miles from Olympia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused highway experience, as 97% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a 59.2-mile stretch of the trip. The journey begins with short local segments on Union Avenue Southeast and Plum Street Southeast before merging onto the interstate. Because it is a highway-heavy drive, the pace remains consistent from start to finish. You won't encounter significant technical road challenges, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 59.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Union Avenue Southeast. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near I 5.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 61 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.4 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
5
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
Madison Street
Turn right onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 59.2 mi | 1h 14m |
| Union Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Plum Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Way South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Seneca Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 59.2 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olympia, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on Capitol Way South
396 ft
·
12 sec
·
Capitol Way South
2
Turn right onto Union Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto Plum Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Plum Street Southeast
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto I 5
27 mi
·
34 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
32 mi
·
39 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft
·
18 sec
·
Seneca Street
9
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
10
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
11
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 61-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to suit your personal itinerary. Keep in mind that the entire route is non-stop, as there are no recommended intermediate stops provided for this specific path. Because the drive is short, you can easily complete it in one go without needing to plan for long-distance fatigue or mid-trip refueling. To ensure a smooth experience, focus your attention on navigating the transition from the local streets in Olympia onto the main stretch of I-5. Taking advantage of the quick 1 hour and 18 minute duration allows you to maximize your time at your final destination in 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 30.5 miles from Olympia, WA, or about 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.2 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 61 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.5 miles or 39m 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 6m
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 Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA
This is one driving day of about 61 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Olympia, 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 59.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.5 mi from Olympia, WA · 39m 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 30.5 miles from Olympia, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$12.80 one way
$25.61 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $13.37 | $26.74 |
| premium | $5.77 | $13.86 | $27.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.55 | $27.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.34 | $2.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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
8:53 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
5 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
1h 18m 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 Olympia, WA to Seattle, WA covers 61 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Union Avenue Southeast, Plum Street Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 30.5 miles from Olympia, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.80 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 61 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.4 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Olympia, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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