Origin
Seattle, WA
Afternoon in Seattle on Wednesday
Local time
1:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Bethel, WA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
20.3 mi
33 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Bethel, WA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
This short 20.3-mile journey from Seattle to Bethel, Washington, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Southeast Sedgwick Road and Fauntleroy Way Southwest, with a brief ferry segment via the Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry. With only a 6% highway share, expect a more local driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $4, and since there are no planned stops, you can enjoy a straightforward drive. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.
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
10.1 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, meaning you'll be navigating city streets and local byways for the majority of the trip. Only 6% of the drive is on highways, so keep your attention focused on traffic signals and intersections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 6.5 miles along Southeast Sedgwick Road. This road profile suggests a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous highway cruise, requiring active engagement as you transition between different local roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southeast Sedgwick Road is the longest continuous segment at about 6.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Madison Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 20.3 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward WA 99 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 99 South
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward West Seattle Bridge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward West Seattle Bridge
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
West Seattle Bridge
Merge onto West Seattle Bridge
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
19.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
Bethel Road Southeast
Turn left onto Bethel Road Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Sedgwick Road | 6.5 mi | 12m |
| Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry | 4.8 mi | 29m |
| Fauntleroy Way Southwest | 3.7 mi | 10m |
| West Seattle Bridge | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| State Route 99 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Bethel Road Southeast | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Alaskan Way | 0.5 mi | 2m |
| Madison Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Southeast Sedgwick Road
— 6.5 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Bethel, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Madison Street
3
Turn left onto Alaskan Way
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Alaskan Way
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward WA 99 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto WA 99
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 99
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward West Seattle Bridge
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto West Seattle Bridge
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Seattle Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on Fauntleroy Way Southwest
3.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Fauntleroy Way Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Southwest Barton Street
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
Southwest Barton Street
10
Turn slight right onto Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
11
Turn straight onto WA 160
4.8 mi
·
29 min
·
Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry
12
Continue on WA 160
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Southworth Ferry
13
Continue on WA 160
6.5 mi
·
12 min
·
Southeast Sedgwick Road
14
Turn left onto Bethel Road Southeast
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bethel Road Southeast
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Southeast Cedar Road
129 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southeast Cedar Road
16
Arrive at destination
Southeast Cedar Road
Trip Plan
Given the short 20.3-mile distance and 1-hour duration, this trip offers excellent flexibility. You can depart Seattle at your leisure, perhaps avoiding peak commute times if possible. Since there are no designated stops and the fuel cost is a low $4, you won't need extensive planning for refueling or meal breaks. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the ferry schedule for the Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry, as delays or wait times can significantly impact your travel duration.
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 10.1 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.5 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 20 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.1 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethel, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Seattle, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 20.3 miles and 1h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Seattle, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Southeast Sedgwick Road for about 6.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.1 mi from Seattle, WA · 33m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.1 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bethel, WA
The final approach into Bethel, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.25 one way
$8.50 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $4.46 | $8.91 |
| premium | $5.77 | $4.61 | $9.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.48 | $8.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.13 | $0.97 |
| Efficient EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.78 | $0.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.84 | $1.30 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Bethel, WA
Afternoon in Bethel on Wednesday
Local time
1:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 5m 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 Seattle, WA to Bethel, WA covers 20.3 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southeast Sedgwick Road, Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry, Fauntleroy Way Southwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.1 miles from Seattle, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.25 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 20.3 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Seattle, WA to Bethel, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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