Trip from Seattle, WA to Black Diamond, WA

Drive Time

51m

Distance

30.6 mi

49 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min

4 AM

0h 47m ★

6 AM

0h 52m

8 AM

1h 0m

10 AM

0h 55m

12 PM

0h 54m

3 PM

0h 55m

5 PM

1h 0m

8 PM

0h 49m

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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Seattle, WA

Josh Hild

Black Diamond, WA

Chukwuka Prosper

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick getaway from Seattle, the 30.6-mile trek to Black Diamond is a perfect one-day excursion. You will spend roughly 51 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal choice for those who prefer to keep travel time minimal. The route relies on a combination of I-5, Renton Maple Valley Road Southeast, and Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast to navigate out of the city. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is an incredibly affordable trip for a spontaneous afternoon. Since both your start and end points are located within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience a major shift in climate or landscape. It is a straightforward, no-fuss journey that gets you from the urban center to the quieter surroundings of Black Diamond without requiring an overnight stay.

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

15.3 miles from Seattle, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a transition from fast-paced urban infrastructure to a more technical, turn-heavy local drive as you head toward your destination. Only 25% of this route consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on local roads. The longest stretch you will encounter is a 7.7-mile segment on I-5, which serves as the primary high-speed portion before you shift gears. As you leave the interstate behind, the driving experience becomes more involved, requiring you to navigate the winding turns characteristic of the Maple Valley and Black Diamond roads. It is a drive that demands a bit more engagement from the operator compared to a standard, monotonous freeway cruise.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 35 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 7.7 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 around 0.1 miles in near Spring Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 30.6 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 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Spring Street

Turn right onto Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland

1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward Airport Way

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward Airport Way

1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport

8.2 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward WA 900 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 157 Toward WA 900 East

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Seattle, WA to Black Diamond, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Renton along the way.

Renton

8.4 mi in | ~11m | via WA 900

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 5	7.7 mi	9m
Renton Maple Valley Road Southeast	5.5 mi	8m
Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast	5 mi	9m
Maple Valley Highway	4 mi	7m
Martin Luther King Junior Way South	2 mi	3m
Southeast Renton Maple Valley Road	1.6 mi	2m
3rd Avenue	1.5 mi	3m
Southwest Sunset Boulevard	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 5 — 7.7 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

31 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn left onto Madison Street

204 ft · 11 sec · Madison Street

Turn right onto 4th Avenue

308 ft · 14 sec · 4th Avenue

Turn right onto Spring Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · Spring Street

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 5 South: Portland

Continue on I 5

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 5

Use the left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

147 ft · 2 sec · I 5

Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

0.1 mi · 8 sec · I 5

Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

305 ft · 4 sec · I 5

Toward Airport Way Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 5

6.9 mi · 8 min · I 5

Toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 157 Toward WA 900 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto WA 900

303 ft · 5 sec · Martin Luther King Junior Way South

Continue on WA 900

1.9 mi · 3 min · Martin Luther King Junior Way South

Toward Renton, Martin Luther King Way Use the none lane.

Continue on WA 900

1.4 mi · 2 min · Southwest Sunset Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on WA 900

0.7 mi · 1 min · South 3rd Street

Use the left / straight / none lanes.

Turn left onto WA 900

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Mill Avenue South

Turn right onto WA 900

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Bronson Way South

Use the none lane.

Continue on WA 169

222 ft · 4 sec · Maple Valley Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WA 169

3.9 mi · 6 min · Maple Valley Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on WA 169

1.6 mi · 2 min · Southeast Renton Maple Valley Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on WA 169

5.5 mi · 8 min · Renton Maple Valley Road Southeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on WA 169

1.8 mi · 3 min · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto WA 169

99 ft · 1 sec · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Continue on WA 169

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Enter roundabout onto WA 169

105 ft · 2 sec · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Continue on WA 169

0.8 mi · 1 min · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto WA 169

101 ft · 2 sec · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Continue on WA 169

2.0 mi · 3 min · Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast

Continue on WA 169

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue

Enter roundabout onto WA 169

184 ft · 3 sec · 3rd Avenue

Continue on WA 169

0.2 mi · 27 sec · 3rd Avenue

Enter roundabout onto WA 169

108 ft · 2 sec · 3rd Avenue

Continue on WA 169

0.6 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue

Turn left onto Lawson Street

59 ft · 2 sec · Lawson Street

Arrive at destination

Lawson Street

Trip Plan

Because this is a short trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. Since there are zero official stops planned along the way, consider grabbing what you need before you head out to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the final stretches means you should stay alert, especially if you are driving during peak traffic hours on these local roads. With only 30.6 miles to cover, you can easily complete the round trip in a single day without any fatigue. My best advice for this specific route is to account for the shift in road character; once you exit I-5, be prepared to slow down and adjust to the more technical local speed limits.

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 15.3 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 30.6 miles or 51m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 15.3 miles or 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Black Diamond, 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 30.6 miles and 51m.

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 7.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 15.3 mi from Seattle, WA · 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Renton, WA

15 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

Bonney Lake, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Renton, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Black Diamond, WA

The final approach into Black Diamond, 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 Black Diamond, 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

$6.42 one way

$12.84 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 11 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.57	$6.71	$13.41
premium	$5.77	$6.95	$13.90
diesel	$5.64	$6.80	$13.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	9.2	$3.21	$1.47
Efficient EV	7.7	$2.68	$1.22
EV Truck/SUV	12.2	$4.28	$1.96

Gas CO2

11 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (64% 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

Seattle, WA

Night in Seattle on Sunday

Local time

9:05 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Black Diamond, WA

Night in Black Diamond on Sunday

Local time

9:05 PM

PDT

Current temp

37°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

4 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

51m 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 Black Diamond, WA covers 30.6 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, Renton Maple Valley Road Southeast, Maple Valley Black Diamond Road Southeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 15.3 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 $6.42 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 Seattle, WA to Black Diamond, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Renton along the way.

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Trip from Seattle, WA to Black Diamond, 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 Black Diamond, WA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Seattle, WA

Black Diamond, WA

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

51m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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