Origin
Orchards, WA
Afternoon in Orchards on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orchards, WA
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Northeast 109th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Northeast Rosewood Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Orchards, WA and Vancouver, WA.
Start on this road
Turn right onto Northeast 109th Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast Rosewood Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast Covington Road
Continue on Northeast Gher Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 500
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.3 mi from Orchards, WA · 5m into the drive
A short stop after about 6.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 3.3 miles from Orchards, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$1.38 one way
$2.76 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Orchards on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Vancouver on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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