Origin
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
6:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Arlington, WA
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
47.3 mi
76 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 11m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Arlington, WA
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Seattle to Arlington, this 47.3-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Expect to spend about one hour and one minute behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient transition between these two Pacific Coast locations. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, it is an economical choice for those wanting to reach their destination without significant travel costs. Because the route is short and direct, you certainly do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have additional plans. It serves as a straightforward connection rather than a complex multi-day expedition, allowing you to focus your energy on your time in Arlington. Overall, this journey is best viewed as a practical, low-stress transit that gets you where you need to be quickly.
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
23.7 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.5 miles. The road experience is defined by this consistent interstate pace, providing a reliable and predictable flow for most of the trip. As you near the end of your journey, you will transition onto State Highway 530 (WA 530) to reach Arlington. While the initial portion of the drive is a standard interstate grind, the final segment shifts slightly as you move off the main artery. It is a functional and efficient route that prioritizes speed and direct navigation over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 42.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and State Highway 530 Northeast. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Madison Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 1m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (University Street): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Madison Street
Turn left onto Madison Street
Navigation decision point
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Avenue
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
University Street
Turn right onto University Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
43.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
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.
Exit 208
Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Arlington, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Darrington along the way.
Darrington
43.2 mi in
|
~54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 42.5 mi | 52m |
| State Highway 530 Northeast | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| WA 530 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Division Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 42.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Arlington, 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
42 mi
·
52 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 208
Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto WA 530
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 530 Northeast
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
51 ft
·
0 sec
·
WA 530
10
Continue on WA 530
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
WA 530
11
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
89 ft
·
1 sec
·
WA 530
12
Continue on WA 530
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 530
13
Enter roundabout onto West Division Street
96 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Division Street
14
Continue on West Division Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Division Street
15
Enter roundabout
124 ft
·
3 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no required stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Keep in mind that because the route is so efficient, you can easily make the entire 47.3-mile drive without needing to pull over for rest or refueling. If you are starting your day in Seattle, check traffic reports for I-5 before you head out to ensure your hour-long drive stays on schedule. Because the drive is dominated by high-speed highway travel, stay alert during the transition from I-5 to WA 530, as road conditions and speeds will change once you exit the interstate. Using that $10 fuel budget efficiently means you can focus your travel planning on what you want to do once you arrive in Arlington.
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 23.7 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.5 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 47.3 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.7 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, 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 47.3 miles and 1h 1m.
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 42.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.7 mi from Seattle, WA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 47.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.7 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arlington, WA
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, 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
$9.93 one way
$19.85 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $10.37 | $20.73 |
| premium | $5.77 | $10.75 | $21.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.51 | $21.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.14 | $1.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.62 | $3.03 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Arlington, WA
Evening in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°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
12 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 1m 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 Arlington, WA covers 47.3 miles and takes about 1h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, State Highway 530 Northeast, WA 530. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.7 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 $9.93 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 straightforward 1h 1m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (4th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (University Street): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Arlington, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Darrington along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arlington, WA
More trips to Arlington, WA
Explore more options from Seattle, WA or browse trips ending in Arlington, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Seattle, WA or Arlington, WA on MapSof.net.