🗺️CityToCityDistance

Portland to Seattle Distance

174 miles•280 km•3 hours

Driving distance and route information from Portland, United Statesto Seattle, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

173.73 mi
(279.59 km)
⏱️3h 1m
Via I-5
I-5
📏 Straight-line distance: 145 miles (233 km)
See crow flies distance →
Share this route
citytocitydistances.com/portland-to-seattle

Open this route in your nav app

🗺️ Google Maps🍎 Apple Maps⚡ Waze

Complete Driving Guide: Portland to Seattle

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
174 mi
280 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
3 hours
180 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
23 L
$35 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointPortland, Oregon
DestinationSeattle, Washington
Route Options1 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed93 km/h
Straight-line Distance233 km
Route Efficiency83%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Portland to Seattle

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route174 mi (280 km)3 hours93 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Portland to Seattle

The road journey from Portland to Seattle spans approximately 174 miles (280 kilometers), making it a medium-distance drive that typically requires 3 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Oregon, United States with Washington, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 1 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Portland to Seattle follows the I-5 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 93 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

✓
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 7 gallons (23 liters) of fuel for this 174 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 3.5 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
✓
Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$24
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$43
Total Trip Cost$68

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

3 hours

174 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.3 hours flight

233 km direct

🚌

By Bus

3.9 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Portland

View all distances from Portland →

More routes from Seattle

View all distances from Seattle →

Portland to Seattle - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Portland to Seattle?
The driving distance from Portland to Seattle is 174 miles (280 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-5. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 233 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Portland to Seattle?
The drive from Portland to Seattle takes approximately 3h 1m of continuous driving at an average speed of 93 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 3.5 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Portland to Seattle?
The fastest driving route from Portland to Seattle is 174 miles (280 km) via I-5, taking about 3h 1m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Portland to Seattle?
The route from Portland to Seattle is essentially direct — no alternative driving paths offer a meaningfully different distance.
Does the route from Portland to Seattle include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Portland to Seattle stays on toll-free public roads.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Portland to Seattle?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 6 gallons (23 liters) of fuel for the 174-mile (280-km) drive from Portland to Seattle. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $21 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Portland to Seattle?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Portland as the origin and Seattle as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.