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Trip from Port Townsend, WA to Seattle, WA

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

61.9 mi

100 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Washington, United States

Port Townsend, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of King County, State of Washington, United States

Seattle, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Port Townsend, WA to Seattle, WA covers 61.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Route 525, I 5, Mukilteo Speedway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22 miles on State Route 525. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.99 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

30.9 miles from Port Townsend, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 61.9 miles, with most of the trip on State Route 525 and I 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 22 miles on State Route 525.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 525 is the longest continuous segment at about 22 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 525 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 61.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.7 miles (WA 20 / South Engle Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 45.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
6.7 mi into trip | ~37m in | WA 20 / South Engle Road

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20 / South Engle Road

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

7
45.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 South: Seattle
7
61.2 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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
61.6 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | 5th Avenue

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Route 525 22 mi 32m
I 5 16.1 mi 20m
Mukilteo Speedway 7.4 mi 13m
Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry 5.8 mi 35m
State Route 20 3.3 mi 5m
Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry 3 mi 20m
Paine Field Boulevard 0.8 mi <1m
WA 525 0.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: State Route 525 — 22 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Townsend, WA and Seattle, WA.

1

Start on Tyler Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Tyler Street
2

Turn left onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Jefferson Street
3

Continue on Quincy Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Quincy Street
4

Turn right onto Water Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Water Street
5

Turn left onto WA 20

96 ft · 2 sec · Ferry Dock
6

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 20

483 ft · 10 sec · Ferry Dock
7

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20

159 ft · 3 sec · Port Townsend Slip 2
8

Continue on WA 20

5.8 mi · 35 min · Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
9

Continue on WA 20

239 ft · 8 sec · State Route 20
10

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20

517 ft · 17 sec · South Engle Road
11

Continue on WA 20

3.3 mi · 5 min · State Route 20
12

Turn right onto WA 525

22 mi · 32 min · State Route 525
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on 2

409 ft · 9 sec · 2
14

Turn right onto WA 525

200 ft · 11 sec · Ferry Dock
15

Continue on WA 525

3.0 mi · 20 min · Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry
16

Continue on WA 525

0.4 mi · 2 min · WA 525
Use the right lane.
17

At end of road, turn left onto WA 525

1.9 mi · 4 min · Mukilteo Speedway
Use the left / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto WA 526

0.4 mi · 44 sec · 84th Street Southwest
19

Turn right onto WA 525 Spur

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Paine Field Boulevard
20

Turn slight left onto WA 525

5.5 mi · 8 min · Mukilteo Speedway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward Seattle Use the slight right lane.
22

Keep slight left at fork

491 ft · 12 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto I 5

16 mi · 20 min · I 5
Use the straight / left lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 165B Toward Union Street Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on Union Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Union Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

0.3 mi · 55 sec · 5th Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto Madison Street

113 ft · 9 sec · Madison Street
28

Turn left

31 ft · 2 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 30.9 miles from Port Townsend, WA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22 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 61.9 miles or 2h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 30.9 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 4m

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 Port Townsend, 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 Port Townsend, WA

This is one driving day of about 61.9 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Port Townsend, 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 State Route 525 for about 22 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 30.9 mi from Port Townsend, WA · 1h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Everett, WA

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.

Popular next leg

Everett, WA to Seattle, WA

28.3 mi · 32m

Pacing Suggestions

Bellevue, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Everett, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.9 miles from Port Townsend, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

0 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 61.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.99 one way

$25.98 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 22 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $13.57 $27.13
premium $5.77 $14.06 $28.13
diesel $5.64 $13.75 $27.50

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: 21.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.6 0 $6.50 $2.97
Efficient EV 15.5 0 $5.42 $2.48
EV Truck/SUV 24.8 0 $8.67 $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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Port Townsend, WA

Afternoon in Port Townsend on Monday

Local time

2:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Chance Light Rain

W 8 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Destination

Seattle, WA

Afternoon in Seattle on Monday

Local time

2:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Chance Light Rain

SSW 8 mph 52% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

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

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

2h 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 Port Townsend, WA to Seattle, WA covers 61.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 525, I 5, Mukilteo Speedway. 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 Port Townsend, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.99 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 demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 61.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.7 miles (WA 20 / South Engle Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 45.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Port Townsend, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Seattle, WA to Port Townsend, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

62.3 mi 2h 19m

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