Origin
Seattle, WA
Morning in Seattle on Friday
Local time
7:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Chico, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
31.3 mi
50 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Chico, WA
Boko Shots
Trip Overview
This short 31.3-mile journey from Seattle to Chico, WA, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes. The route is a mixed drive, incorporating ferry travel and state highways. With a modest fuel cost of around $7, it's an economical option for a quick excursion within the Pacific Coast region. You'll spend about 36% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on Southeast Sedgwick Road lasting 7.2 miles. This drive offers a straightforward way to get from point A to point B without requiring an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 31.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a blend of urban access, ferry transit, and highway cruising. You'll begin on Southeast Sedgwick Road, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 7.2 miles. The journey then transitions to the Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry, a unique segment that breaks up the driving. Following the ferry, you'll navigate State Highway 3 Northwest. With 36% of the route on highways, expect periods of steady travel interspersed with the ferry experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 7.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 31.3 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: 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; at 2.8 miles (West Seattle Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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.
5
20.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the ramp toward WA 16 West: Bremerton
Navigation decision point
Toward WA 16 West: Bremerton
7
30.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward Chico Way, Chico
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.
Toward Chico Way, Chico
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Sedgwick Road | 7.2 mi | 13m |
| Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry | 4.8 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 3 Northwest | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 16 Southwest | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Fauntleroy Way Southwest | 3.7 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 3 West | 2 mi | 3m |
| West Seattle Bridge | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| State Route 99 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Southeast Sedgwick Road
— 7.2 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Chico, 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
7.2 mi
·
13 min
·
Southeast Sedgwick Road
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Bremerton
15
Merge onto WA 16
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 16 Southwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on WA 16
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on WA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Chico Way, Chico
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Chico Way Northwest
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Chico Way Northwest
20
Arrive at destination
Chico Way Northwest
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.7 mi from Seattle, WA · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.7 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chico, WA
The final approach into Chico, 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
$6.55 one way
$13.10 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $6.87 | $13.74 |
| premium | $5.77 | $7.11 | $14.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.91 | $13.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 11 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
| Efficient EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.5 | 0 | $4.38 | $2.00 |
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.
Destination
Chico, WA
Morning in Chico on Friday
Local time
7:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°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
7 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 21m 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 Chico, WA covers 31.3 miles and takes about 1h 21m 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, State Highway 3 Northwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.7 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 $6.55 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 31.3 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: 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; at 2.8 miles (West Seattle Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Seattle, WA to Chico, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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