Trip from Seattle, WA to Mead, WA

Data updated 45 minutes ago

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

291 mi

468 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 16m ★

6 AM

5h 29m

8 AM

5h 56m

10 AM

5h 38m

12 PM

5h 36m

3 PM

5h 40m

5 PM

5h 54m

8 PM

5h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in and county seat of King County, State of Washington, United States

Seattle, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Mead, WA

Dmytro Glazunov

Trip Overview

This 291-mile drive from Seattle to Mead, WA, will take approximately 5 hours and 29 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily travel on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel and I-90, with a portion on the North Spokane Corridor. With a fuel cost estimated at $61, this route offers a straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region. The road profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for varied road conditions. This is a solid option if you're looking for a direct route without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

145.5 miles from Seattle, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" with a highway share of approximately 2%. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 274.2 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel. This indicates a journey that transitions between more open highway travel and potentially more winding, local road sections. While much of the drive might feel like a continuous stretch, the character of the road will likely change as you progress, requiring active navigation rather than passive cruising.

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

There are about 27 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 274.2 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 early in the drive near Madison Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 291 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: 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 19 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Madison Street

Turn left onto Madison Street

Navigation decision point

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

Turn right onto Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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

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

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 straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel	274.2 mi	4h 59m
I 90	6.2 mi	7m
North Spokane Corridor	3.3 mi	4m
North Freya Street	1.4 mi	3m
South Freya Street	1 mi	2m
I 5	0.6 mi	1m
North Market Street	0.6 mi	1m
North Greene Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel — 274.2 mi, about 4h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Mead, 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 lane.

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 left at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane

Merge onto I 90

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

274 mi · 4 hr 59 min · Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 2; US 395

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward Freya Street, Thor Street

Continue on East 3rd Avenue

0.3 mi · 48 sec · East 3rd Avenue

Turn left onto South Freya Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Freya Street

Continue on North Freya Way

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North Freya Way

Continue on North Greene Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Greene Street

Turn right onto East Carlisle Avenue

0.3 mi · 55 sec · East Carlisle Avenue

Turn left onto North Freya Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · North Freya Street

Enter roundabout onto East Wellesley Avenue

234 ft · 13 sec · East Wellesley Avenue

Continue on East Wellesley Avenue

408 ft · 17 sec · East Wellesley Avenue

Enter roundabout

17 ft · 0 sec

Continue

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto Future US 395

3.3 mi · 4 min · North Spokane Corridor

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward East Parksmith Drive

Turn right onto East Parksmith Drive

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Parksmith Drive

Turn left onto North Market Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Market Street

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 29-minute duration, starting early in the morning from Seattle is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. Although there's only one designated stop, factor in additional brief breaks as needed, especially given the "turn-heavy local drive" profile. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch is quite significant. The $61 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. The relatively short duration means you have flexibility in when you depart, but a morning start is usually best for a one-day 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 145.5 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 274.2 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145.5 miles or 2h 40m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mead, 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 291 miles and 5h 29m.

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 274.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145.5 mi from Seattle, WA · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

146 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.

Popular next leg

Yakima, WA to Mead, WA

213.6 mi · 4h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Monroe, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.5 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 274.2 miles.

Arriving in Mead, WA

The final approach into Mead, 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 Mead, 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

$60.90 one way

$121.81 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$63.87	$127.74
premium	$5.77	$66.08	$132.16
diesel	$5.61	$64.25	$128.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.3	1	$30.55	$13.97
Efficient EV	72.8	0	$25.46	$11.64
EV Truck/SUV	116.4	1	$40.74	$18.62

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 5 days ago

Origin

Seattle, WA

Night in Seattle on Tuesday

Local time

11:51 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mead, WA

Night in Mead on Tuesday

Local time

11:51 PM

PDT

Current temp

54°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

13 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

5h 29m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Mead, WA covers 291 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, I 90, North Spokane Corridor. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 145.5 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 $60.90 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.