Trip from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA

Q: How long is the trip from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA?

The drive from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA covers 10.9 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 5, Interurban Avenue South, 58th Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 5.4 miles from Tukwila, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA?

The route from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Q: Is the drive from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA flat or hilly?

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 22 ft to 197 ft elevation with about 441 ft of total climbing.

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

15m

Distance

10.9 mi

17 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

4 AM

0h 14m ★

6 AM

0h 16m

8 AM

0h 19m

10 AM

0h 17m

12 PM

0h 17m

3 PM

0h 17m

5 PM

0h 19m

8 PM

0h 15m

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

Trip Overview

If you are traveling from Tukwila to Seattle, you are looking at a quick 10.9-mile transit that typically takes about 15 minutes. This Pacific Coast journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it functions more like a local commute than a sprawling expedition. You can expect to keep your fuel budget remarkably low, clocking in at around $2 for the entire drive. Because the distance is so short, there is no need for overnight stops or elaborate planning. It is a straightforward, practical link between these two Washington locations that gets you to your destination with minimal fuss.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 15m. Total distance: 10.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 85% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your journey, specifically 9.2 miles, on I-5, which provides the primary artery for the drive. Beyond the interstate, the route incorporates Interurban Avenue South and 58th Avenue South to navigate the transition between the two cities. Expect a consistent, fast-paced driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that moves you rapidly through the Pacific Coast region.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 12 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 9.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

197 ft 22 ft

Total Climb

441 ft

Total Descent

403 ft

Highest Point

197 ft

~10.1 mi in

Elevation Range

176 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Interurban Avenue South. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near I 5.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 10.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.1 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (5th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5

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

Merge onto I 5

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

10.4 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward Seneca Street

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 165 Toward Seneca Street

7

10.7 mi into trip | ~15m in | 5th Avenue

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

5

10.8 mi into trip | ~15m in | Madison Street

Turn right onto Madison Street

Navigation decision point

5

10.8 mi into trip | ~15m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 5	9.2 mi	11m
Interurban Avenue South	0.7 mi	1m
58th Avenue South	0.2 mi	<1m
5th Avenue	0.1 mi	<1m
South 141st Place	<0.1 mi	<1m
Seneca Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
Madison Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
South 144th Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 5 — 9.2 mi, about 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South 144th Street

47 ft · 6 sec · South 144th Street

2

Turn left onto 58th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 22 sec · 58th Avenue South

3

Continue on South 141st Place

445 ft · 19 sec · South 141st Place

4

Turn left onto Interurban Avenue South

0.7 mi · 1 min · Interurban Avenue South

5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 5 North

6

Merge onto I 5

9.2 mi · 11 min · I 5

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Exit 165 Toward Seneca Street Use the slight left lane.

8

Turn left onto Seneca Street

323 ft · 18 sec · Seneca Street

9

Turn left onto 5th Avenue

0.1 mi · 27 sec · 5th Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

10

Turn right onto Madison Street

113 ft · 9 sec · Madison Street

11

Turn left

31 ft · 2 sec

12

Arrive at destination

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.28 one way

$4.56 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 4 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$2.39	$4.78
premium	$5.77	$2.48	$4.95
diesel	$5.61	$2.41	$4.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$2

Estimated CO2 emission: 3.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	3.3	$1.14	$0.52
Efficient EV	2.7	$0.95	$0.44
EV Truck/SUV	4.4	$1.53	$0.70

Gas CO2

4 kg

EV CO2

1 kg (75% 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 as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Tukwila, WA

Evening in Tukwila on Thursday

Local time

8:20 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Light Rain Likely

SSW 7 mph 64% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Destination

Seattle, WA

Evening in Seattle on Thursday

Local time

8:20 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Light Rain Likely

S 7 mph 69% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

15m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA covers 10.9 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, Interurban Avenue South, 58th Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 5.4 miles from Tukwila, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.28 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 10.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.1 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (5th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 22 ft to 197 ft elevation with about 441 ft of total climbing.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Tukwila, WA or browse trips ending in Seattle, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.

Explore maps for Tukwila, WA or Seattle, WA on MapSof.net.

Trip from Tukwila, WA to Seattle, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Tukwila, WA

Seattle, WA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

15m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Seattle, WA

More from Tukwila, WA

More trips to Seattle, WA