Origin
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Ephrata, WA
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
171.1 mi
275 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Ephrata, WA
Ahmad Shaufi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Seattle to Ephrata covers 171.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to cover the distance across the state. The path transitions from the Pacific Coast region of Seattle into the interior landscape of Ephrata, making for a distinct change in environment. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, the trip is straightforward enough to plan on short notice. Expect a mix of major thoroughfares and local segments that keep the drive engaging from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.6 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey features a turn-heavy local profile that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. You will spend roughly 13% of your time on highways, with the remainder of the route consisting of more technical driving conditions. The most significant portion of your travel involves a 147.9-mile stretch on the Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. As you navigate the transition from the city toward your destination, you will move between high-speed sections and more winding local roads like WA 283. Be prepared for a shift in pace as you move off of the I-90 corridor and onto the local roads that characterize the final leg of the drive.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel is the longest continuous segment at about 147.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Madison Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.1 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 (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Spring Street
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 90 / Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 / Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Ephrata, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Soap Lake along the way.
Soap Lake
150.4 mi in
|
~2h 48m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel | 147.9 mi | 2h 43m |
| WA 283 | 20.1 mi | 27m |
| I 90 | 1 mi | 1m |
| I 5 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Burke Spur | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Spring Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
— 147.9 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Ephrata, 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
308 ft
·
14 sec
·
4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
Continue on I 5
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
147 ft
·
2 sec
·
I 5
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
9
Merge onto I 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
148 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
12
Continue on WA 281 Spur
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Burke Spur
13
Turn right onto WA 283
20 mi
·
27 min
·
WA 283
14
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
43 ft
·
0 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
15
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue Southwest
Trip Plan
Since the drive takes just over three hours, you can afford to be flexible with your departure time, though leaving early helps you avoid potential congestion on the initial highway segments. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel or stretch your legs, making it easy to maintain a steady rhythm throughout the day. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning onto WA 283, as the route shifts from major interstates to smaller local roads that require more focus. Because fuel costs hover around $36, topping off your tank before you leave the Seattle area can simplify your logistics. Use the 147.9-mile stretch on the Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel as your main window for making progress before transitioning into the more localized portion of the trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.6 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 147.9 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.6 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ephrata, 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 171.1 miles and 3h 16m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel for about 147.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.6 mi from Seattle, WA · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.6 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 147.9 miles.
Arriving in Ephrata, WA
The final approach into Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.91 one way
$71.82 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $37.50 | $75.00 |
| premium | $5.77 | $38.87 | $77.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.01 | $76.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.3 | 0 | $17.97 | $8.21 |
| Efficient EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.4 | 0 | $23.95 | $10.95 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Ephrata, WA
Evening in Ephrata on Sunday
Local time
6:35 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
86 mi in
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
7 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
3h 16m 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 Ephrata, WA covers 171.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, WA 283, I 90. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.6 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 $35.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.1 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 (Madison Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Ephrata, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Soap Lake along the way.
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