Origin
Seattle, WA
Night in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
9:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Alderwood Manor, WA
Drive Time
23m
Distance
16.8 mi
27 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 22m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Alderwood Manor, WA
Jan Simpson
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Seattle to Alderwood Manor, you are looking at a quick 16.8-mile trip that typically takes about 23 minutes. Because this is such a short journey, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight logistics. You can expect to spend approximately $4 on fuel for the entire drive, making it a very budget-friendly transit. The route primarily utilizes I-5 to connect these two Pacific Coast locations. Since you will spend 91 percent of your time on highways, this is a straightforward commute rather than a leisurely road trip. It is an ideal option if you need a practical, efficient way to move between these points without any necessary stops.
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
8.4 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its reliance on major infrastructure, as it is almost entirely highway-focused. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 15.2 miles. Because 91 percent of the route consists of highway driving, you should be prepared for a consistent, high-speed pace rather than a scenic, winding backroad experience. As you transition off the interstate, you will navigate via 196th Street Southwest and 4th Avenue to reach your final destination. Expect a functional, no-frills experience behind the wheel that prioritizes speed and directness over exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 15.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and 196th Street Southwest. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 16.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles (Poplar Way): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Avenue
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
15.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward WA 524: 196th Street Southwest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 181B
Toward WA 524: 196th Street Southwest
6
16.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Poplar Way
Turn left onto Poplar Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
WA 524 / 196th Street Southwest
At end of road, turn left onto WA 524 / 196th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
16.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
36th Avenue West
Turn right onto 36th Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| 196th Street Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Way | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 36th Avenue West | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 15.2 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Alderwood Manor, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
204 ft
·
11 sec
·
Madison Street
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
4th Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto University Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
University Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 5 North
6
Merge onto I 5
15 mi
·
19 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 181B
Toward WA 524: 196th Street Southwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto Poplar Way
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Poplar Way
Use the left lane.
9
At end of road, turn left onto WA 524
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
196th Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto 36th Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
36th Avenue West
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right
153 ft
·
12 sec
12
At end of road, turn right
59 ft
·
4 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 23-minute drive, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should account for typical Pacific Coast traffic patterns on I-5. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your fuel budget of $4 in mind, but otherwise, there is little logistical preparation required. Because the drive is dominated by the 15.2-mile stretch on the interstate, ensure your vehicle is comfortable for highway speeds. My best tip for this specific route is to check real-time traffic reports for I-5 before you pull out of Seattle, as congestion can fluctuate significantly even over such a short distance.
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 8.4 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.2 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 16.8 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.4 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alderwood Manor, 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.
+
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 Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 16.8 miles and 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Seattle, 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 I 5 for about 15.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.4 mi from Seattle, WA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.4 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alderwood Manor, WA
The final approach into Alderwood Manor, 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 Alderwood Manor, 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
$3.53 one way
$7.05 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $3.68 | $7.36 |
| premium | $5.77 | $3.82 | $7.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.73 | $7.46 |
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: 5.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.76 | $0.81 |
| Efficient EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.47 | $0.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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
Alderwood Manor, WA
Night in Alderwood Manor on Sunday
Local time
9:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°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
3 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
23m 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 Alderwood Manor, WA covers 16.8 miles and takes about 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, 196th Street Southwest, 4th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.4 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 $3.53 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 16.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles (Poplar Way): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Seattle, WA to Alderwood Manor, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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