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Trip from Orchards, WA to Vancouver, WA

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

10m

Distance

6.6 mi

11 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$1

one way

Best Time to Leave

4 AM
0h 10m ★
6 AM
0h 11m
8 AM
0h 12m
10 AM
0h 11m
12 PM
0h 11m
3 PM
0h 11m
5 PM
0h 12m
8 PM
0h 10m ★

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

census designated place in Clark County, Washington, United States

Orchards, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This short 6.6-mile drive from Orchards, WA to Vancouver, WA takes about 10 minutes, making it an easy hop within the Pacific Coast region. It's a perfect example of a trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, easily completed in a single day. With an estimated fuel cost of just $1, this route is incredibly budget-friendly. The majority of the journey is on highways, so expect a straightforward, efficient travel experience. This drive is all about getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

3.3 miles from Orchards, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 85% of your travel occurring on main roads like WA 500 and I-5. You'll experience a consistent pace for the most part, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 5.4 miles on WA 500. While Northeast Gher Road offers a brief transition, the character remains largely that of an efficient, high-speed journey. Expect smooth sailing for the duration of this quick trip, with minimal deviations from major thoroughfares.

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.
WA 500 is the longest continuous segment at about 5.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 500 and Northeast Gher Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 109th Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive

This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 6.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 10m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast 109th Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (Northeast Rosewood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Northeast 109th Avenue

Turn right onto Northeast 109th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Northeast Rosewood Avenue

Turn left onto Northeast Rosewood Avenue

Navigation decision point

8
6.2 mi into trip | ~9m 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
6.4 mi into trip | ~9m 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
6
6.5 mi into trip | ~10m in | East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
WA 500 5.4 mi 7m
Northeast Gher Road 0.2 mi <1m
I 5 0.2 mi <1m
East Fourth Plain Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Northeast Covington Road 0.1 mi <1m
Northeast Rosewood Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Northeast 109th Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: WA 500 — 5.4 mi, about 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

125 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Northeast 109th Avenue

44 ft · 8 sec · Northeast 109th Avenue
3

Turn left onto Northeast Rosewood Avenue

236 ft · 14 sec · Northeast Rosewood Avenue
4

Turn left onto Northeast Covington Road

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Northeast Covington Road
5

Continue on Northeast Gher Road

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Northeast Gher Road
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward WA 500 West
7

Merge onto WA 500

5.4 mi · 7 min · WA 500
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 5

0.2 mi · 13 sec · I 5
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 1D Toward 4th Plain Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

242 ft · 13 sec
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard East Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12

Arrive at destination

East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the brief 10-minute duration and minimal mileage, there's no need to plan for overnight stops or extensive pacing. You can depart at your leisure, but leaving during off-peak hours will ensure the quickest travel time. With a fuel cost of only about $1, refueling isn't a major concern for this short trip. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-5, as it's a key point in navigating efficiently to your destination in Vancouver. The lack of stops means you can focus on enjoying the direct path.

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 3.3 miles from Orchards, WA, or about 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.4 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 6.6 miles or 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 3.3 miles or 5m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8m

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

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Orchards, WA.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Orchards, WA

This is one driving day of about 6.6 miles and 10m.

At 6.6 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on WA 500 for about 5.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 3.3 mi from Orchards, WA · 5m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

Salmon Creek, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 6.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salmon Creek, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 3.3 miles from Orchards, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Vancouver, WA

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Vancouver, WA if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$1.38 one way

$2.76 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 2 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $1.45 $2.90
premium $5.77 $1.50 $3.00
diesel $5.61 $1.46 $2.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$26–$51

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 2 0 $0.69 $0.32
Efficient EV 1.7 0 $0.58 $0.26
EV Truck/SUV 2.6 0 $0.92 $0.42

Gas CO2

2 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (50% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Orchards, WA

Afternoon in Orchards on Wednesday

Local time

3:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vancouver, WA

Afternoon in Vancouver on Wednesday

Local time

3:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

10m 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 Orchards, WA to Vancouver, WA covers 6.6 miles and takes about 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 500, Northeast Gher Road, I 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.3 miles from Orchards, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.38 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 short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 6.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 10m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast 109th Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (Northeast Rosewood Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Orchards, WA to Vancouver, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Vancouver, WA to Orchards, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

6.4 mi 10m

Explore more options from Orchards, WA or browse trips ending in Vancouver, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.

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