Trip from Poulsbo, WA to Seattle, WA

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

45.2 mi

73 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

1h 33m ★

6 AM

1h 41m

8 AM

1h 56m

10 AM

1h 46m

12 PM

1h 45m

3 PM

1h 47m

5 PM

1h 55m

8 PM

1h 36m

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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Poulsbo, WA

Roy Manuhutu

Seattle, WA

Josh Hild

Trip Overview

Traveling from Poulsbo to Seattle covers 45.2 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This trip works perfectly as a quick day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize State Highway 3 Northwest and Southeast Sedgwick Road before transitioning to the Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry. Budgeting around $9 for fuel should keep you covered for the journey. Since both locations are situated within the Pacific Coast region, you will remain in a familiar coastal environment throughout your transit. It is a straightforward route that blends highway driving with a maritime connection, making it an efficient way to cross the water.

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

22.6 miles from Poulsbo, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 45.2-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile, requiring you to navigate both regional highways and ferry transit. Approximately 52% of your trip is spent on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 15.4 miles along State Highway 3 Northwest. You should expect the pace to shift as you move from the open road onto the ferry, which alters the standard driving rhythm. The route transitions from local thoroughfares into a more technical, multi-modal experience. Because of the ferry segment, your time behind the wheel is split, providing a varied pace that keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

State Highway 3 Northwest is the longest continuous segment at about 15.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 45.2 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles (WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

1.7 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward WA 3 South: Bremerton

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward WA 3 South: Bremerton

23.2 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth Ferry

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth F...

23.5 mi into trip | ~34m in | WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road

Turn left onto WA 160 / Southwest Sedgwick Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

44.7 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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

45 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | 5th Avenue

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Poulsbo, WA to Seattle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Southworth Ferry along the way.

Southworth Ferry

23.2 mi in | ~33m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Highway 3 Northwest	15.4 mi	19m
Southeast Sedgwick Road	7.3 mi	13m
Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry	4.8 mi	29m
Fauntleroy Way Southwest	3.7 mi	10m
State Highway 16	3.5 mi	4m
West Seattle Bridge	2.4 mi	4m
I 5	2.2 mi	2m
State Highway 3 West	2.1 mi	3m

Longest stretch: State Highway 3 Northwest — 15.4 mi, about 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

68 ft · 6 sec · this road

Turn right onto Jensen Way Northeast

0.6 mi · 1 min · Jensen Way Northeast

At end of road, turn right onto Front Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Front Street Northeast

Continue on Northwest Lindvig Way

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Northwest Lindvig Way

Continue on Northwest Finn Hill Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Northwest Finn Hill Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward WA 3 South: Bremerton Use the left lane.

Merge onto WA 3

15 mi · 19 min · State Highway 3 Northwest

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on WA 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West

Continue on WA 16

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West State Route 16

Continue on WA 16

3.5 mi · 4 min · State Highway 16

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 50 sec

Toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth Ferry Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto WA 160

232 ft · 5 sec · Southwest Sedgwick Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on WA 160

7.3 mi · 13 min · Southeast Sedgwick Road

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn right onto WA 160

171 ft · 4 sec · Southeast Sedgwick Road

Continue on WA 160

0.2 mi · 1 min · Southworth Ferry

Turn straight onto WA 160

4.8 mi · 29 min · Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry

Continue on Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal

At end of road, turn left onto Fauntleroy Way Southwest

3.7 mi · 10 min · Fauntleroy Way Southwest

Use the left / right lanes.

Continue on West Seattle Bridge

2.4 mi · 4 min · West Seattle Bridge

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 5

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 5

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 165 Toward Seneca Street Use the slight left lane.

Turn left onto Seneca Street

323 ft · 18 sec · Seneca Street

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 5th Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto Madison Street

113 ft · 9 sec · Madison Street

Turn left

31 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 40 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around ferry schedules. Since there are no designated stops planned on this route, ensure you are fueled up before hitting the road to keep your costs near the $9 estimate. Pay close attention to the ferry crossing times, as this is the most critical element of your travel window. Being prepared for the transit wait times will help you maintain a smooth pace for the entire 45.2 miles. Because the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing to worry about rest breaks or overnight logistics.

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 22.6 miles from Poulsbo, WA, or about 32m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.4 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 45.2 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 22.6 miles or 32m 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 27m

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 Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, WA

This is one driving day of about 45.2 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Poulsbo, 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 Highway 3 Northwest for about 15.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.6 mi from Poulsbo, WA · 32m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Port Orchard, WA

23 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

Port Orchard, WA to Seattle, WA

22.6 mi · 1h 8m

Pacing Suggestions

Bellevue, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Port Orchard, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.6 miles from Poulsbo, 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

$9.49 one way

$18.97 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.57	$9.91	$19.81
premium	$5.77	$10.27	$20.54
diesel	$5.64	$10.04	$20.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	13.6	$4.75	$2.17
Efficient EV	11.3	$3.96	$1.81
EV Truck/SUV	18.1	$6.33	$2.89

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (69% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Poulsbo, WA

Late night in Poulsbo on Monday

Local time

2:34 AM

PDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Seattle, WA

Late night in Seattle on Monday

Local time

2:34 AM

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

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

1h 40m 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 Poulsbo, WA to Seattle, WA covers 45.2 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Highway 3 Northwest, Southeast Sedgwick Road, Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 22.6 miles from Poulsbo, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.49 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.

On the drive from Poulsbo, WA to Seattle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Southworth Ferry along the way.

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Trip from Poulsbo, WA to Seattle, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Seattle, WA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Poulsbo, WA

Seattle, WA

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 40m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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