Origin
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Brier, WA
Drive Time
25m
Distance
15.9 mi
26 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Brier, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Seattle to Brier, you are looking at a brief 15.9-mile journey that typically takes about 25 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as the distance is short enough that you will not need to worry about overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend roughly $3 on fuel for the trip, making it an incredibly budget-friendly option. Navigating primarily via I-5, you will find yourself moving between two locations within the Pacific Coast region. Whether you are heading out for errands or a quick visit, this drive offers a straightforward commute between the city and the suburban landscape of Brier.
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 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 75% of this 15.9-mile trip is spent on major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 12 miles on I-5, providing a consistent pace before you transition to local roads like 236th Street Southwest and 228th Street Southwest. Because the majority of the drive is interstate, the road's personality is defined by quick, efficient transit rather than winding, scenic exploration. As you exit the highway and move onto the smaller streets leading into Brier, the intensity of the traffic tends to taper off. This is a functional, no-nonsense drive designed to get you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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 12 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and 236th Street Southwest. You will hit about 10 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 15.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (236th Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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.
8
12.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward 236th Street Southwest, Mountlake Terrace
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 178
Toward 236th Street Southwest, Mountlake Terrac...
6
13 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
236th Street Southwest
Turn right onto 236th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
14.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
Cedar Way
Turn left onto Cedar Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
14.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
228th Street Southwest
Turn right onto 228th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Seattle, WA and Brier, WA, road signs point toward 236Th Street Southwest and Mountlake Terrace.
236Th Street Southwest
12.6 mi in
|
~17m
Mountlake Terrace
12.6 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 12 mi | 15m |
| 236th Street Southwest | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| 228th Street Southwest | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Brier Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Way | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 44th Avenue West | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 12 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Brier, 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
12 mi
·
15 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 178
Toward 236th Street Southwest, Mountlake Terrace
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto 236th Street Southwest
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
236th Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Cedar Way
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Cedar Way
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on 44th Avenue West
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
44th Avenue West
11
Turn right onto 228th Street Southwest
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
228th Street Southwest
Use the none lane.
12
Turn right onto Brier Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Brier Road
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Brier Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 25-minute trip with zero planned stops, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on I-5 traffic patterns is wise, as highway congestion can easily extend that 25-minute estimate during peak hours. You will not need to plan for lengthy rest breaks or complex refueling logistics given the $3 fuel cost, so you can focus on simply enjoying the ride. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turn-offs onto 236th and 228th Street Southwest before you leave, as the transition from the high-speed interstate to local neighborhood streets happens quickly. Use the short duration to your advantage by keeping your schedule open and stress-free.
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 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12 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 15.9 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8 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 Brier, 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 15.9 miles and 25m.
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 12 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8 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 15.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brier, WA
The final approach into Brier, 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 Brier, 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
$3.34 one way
$6.67 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $3.48 | $6.97 |
| premium | $5.77 | $3.61 | $7.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.53 | $7.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.6 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 | 4.8 | 0 | $1.67 | $0.76 |
| Efficient EV | 4 | 0 | $1.39 | $0.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.4 | 0 | $2.23 | $1.02 |
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
Brier, WA
Evening in Brier on Sunday
Local time
8:53 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
25m 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 Brier, WA covers 15.9 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, 236th Street Southwest, 228th Street Southwest. 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 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 $3.34 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 15.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13 miles (236th Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Seattle, WA and Brier, WA, road signs point toward 236Th Street Southwest and Mountlake Terrace.
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