Seattle to Portland Distance

173 miles•279 km•3 hours

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

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

173.49 mi

(279.21 km)

⏱️2h 59m

Via I-5

I-5

📏 Straight-line distance: 145 miles (233 km)

See crow flies distance →

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Complete Driving Guide: Seattle to Portland

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE

173 mi

279 kilometers

DRIVING TIME

3 hours

180 minutes

FUEL ESTIMATE

23 L

$35 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointSeattle, Washington

DestinationPortland, Oregon

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 Seattle to Portland

Route Type	Distance	Drive Time	Avg Speed	Tolls
⭐ Fastest Route	173 mi (279 km)	3 hours	93 km/h	❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Seattle to Portland

The road journey from Seattle to Portland spans approximately 173 miles (279 kilometers), making it a medium-distance drive that typically requires 3 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Washington, United States with Oregon, 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 Seattle to Portland 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

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 7 gallons (23 liters) of fuel for this 173 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.

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Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 3.5 hours.

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Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.

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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

173 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.3 hours flight

233 km direct

🚌

By Bus

3.9 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Seattle

View all distances from Seattle →

More routes from Portland

View all distances from Portland →

Seattle to Portland - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Seattle to Portland?

The driving distance from Seattle to Portland is 173 miles (279 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 Seattle to Portland?

The drive from Seattle to Portland takes approximately 2h 59m 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 Seattle to Portland?

The fastest driving route from Seattle to Portland is 173 miles (279 km) via I-5, taking about 2h 59m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.

Are there alternative routes from Seattle to Portland?

The route from Seattle to Portland is essentially direct — no alternative driving paths offer a meaningfully different distance.

Does the route from Seattle to Portland include tolls?

No, the fastest driving route from Seattle to Portland stays on toll-free public roads.

How much fuel does it take to drive from Seattle to Portland?

A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 6 gallons (23 liters) of fuel for the 173-mile (279-km) drive from Seattle to Portland. 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 Seattle to Portland?

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 Seattle as the origin and Portland as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.