How far is Ames Lake, WA from Vancouver, WA?

The driving distance from Ames Lake, WA to Vancouver, WA is about 186 miles (299.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 141.7 miles (228 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
186 mi
03h 14m
Flight
141.67 mi
228 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ames Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
141.67 mi
Kilometers
228 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
186 mi
Kilometers
299.34 km
Drive Time
03h 14m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Vancouver
Sun, Apr 19, 7:47 AM PDT
Return by in Ames Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 11:01 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ames Lake
2026-04-19T04:33
Arrive Vancouver
Sun, Apr 19, 7:47 AM PDT
Route Timing
03h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:32 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ames Lake
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Grand Mound
WA

City in Thurston County, Washington, United States

From Ames Lake
91.2 mi
01h 37m
To Vancouver
94.8 mi
01h 37m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ames Lake and Vancouver.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ames Lake and Vancouver.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    134 m · 27 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Northeast 26th Street

    73 m · 16 sec · Northeast 26th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Quail Creek Way Northeast

    86 m · 15 sec · Quail Creek Way Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Northeast Quail Creek Drive

    1512 ft · 1 min · Northeast Quail Creek Drive

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Northeast Ames Lake Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Northeast Ames Lake Road

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Northeast Redmond Fall City Road

    5.2 mi · 7 min · Northeast Redmond Fall City Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Redmond Way

    1.2 km · 1 min · Redmond Way

  8. 8

    Take the ramp straight toward WA 520 West: Seattle

    1.1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 40th Street

    2259 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 520 West: Seattle

    1 km · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Renton

    1445 ft · 35 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    14.8 mi · 18 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Portland

    1446 ft · 49 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    20.3 mi · 25 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    126.2 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    6.2 mi · 8 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward 4th Plain Boulevard

    955 ft · 23 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on 4th Plain Boulevard East

    74 m · 13 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard

    810 ft · 23 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames Lake and Vancouver.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
153 mi · 82%
I 405 South
15.1 mi · 8%
WA 520 West
5.73 mi · 3%
Northeast Redmond Fall City Road
5.18 mi · 3%
Northeast Ames Lake Road
1.44 mi · 1%
Redmond Way
0.73 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Keep slight right

126 mi · 02h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 14m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.3 mi
141.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grand Mound
01h 37m from Ames Lake
Leave By
10:32 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Ames Lake and Chance Light Rain near Vancouver.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ames Lake to Vancouver?

The road trip is about 186 miles (299.3 km) and usually takes 03h 14m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Grand Mound is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.2 miles from Ames Lake and 94.8 miles from Vancouver.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 141.7 miles (228 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:32 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.33 one way or $68.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Ames Lake and Chance Light Rain near Vancouver.

Stop Ideas Near Grand Mound

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Grand Mound and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.7 mi away

City of Lacey - City Hall Parking

Olympia , WA
402 College St SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Parking lot
Olympia City Hall
Meeting point 13.4 mi away

Olympia City Hall

Olympia , WA
601 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501
Rating 3.2/5 17 reviews City Hall,City government office,Government
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 14.2 mi away

City Of Lacey Maintenance Service Center

Lacey , WA
1200 College St SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Rating 4.8/5 4 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grand Mound.

RAIL

Centralia station

9 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

28 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

68 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center

72 mi away
501 South First Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ames Lake and Vancouver. Straight-line distance: 141.67 mi (228 km).

Ames Lake

#1 Ames Lake

Census designated place in Washington, United States

Population1,486
Coordinates47.6328800, -121.9662300
Altitude98
CountryUnited States
Vancouver

#2 Vancouver

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population186,192
Coordinates45.6387300, -122.6614900
Altitude52
CountryUnited States
Start: (-121.9662, 47.632865)
End: East Fourth Plain Boulevard (-122.661479, 45.638677)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 299 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.56 gal
24.85 L · about $34.33
Round trip
$68.66
13.12 gal · 49.7 L
Estimated CO2
58.3 kg one way
Round trip: 116.6 kg / 257 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $34.33 $68.66
Mid-grade $5.57 $36.52 $73.04
Premium $5.77 $37.86 $75.72
Diesel $5.47 $35.86 $71.73

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Washington · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Ames Lake and Vancouver. The current time is 04:33:26.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.