How far is Des Moines, WA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance from Des Moines, WA to Seattle, WA is about 19.4 miles (31.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14.1 miles (22.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Washington
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Des Moines and Seattle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Moines and Seattle.
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1
Start on the route
13 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto South 223rd Street
21 m · 7 sec · South 223rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Marine View Drive South
2066 ft · 1 min · Marine View Drive South
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4
Turn right onto 7th Place South
112 m · 7 sec · 7th Place South
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5
Continue on South 216th Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South 216th Street
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6
Turn left onto Military Road South
1.1 km · 2 min · Military Road South
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7
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Seattle
1469 ft · 36 sec
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8
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 18 min
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9
Take the exit slight left toward Seneca Street
1359 ft · 36 sec
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10
Turn left onto Seneca Street
98 m · 18 sec · Seneca Street
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11
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
615 ft · 27 sec · 5th Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Madison Street
34 m · 9 sec · Madison Street
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13
Turn left
9 m · 2 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Des Moines and Seattle.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 5 North
Merge slight left
14.2 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Seattle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Des Moines to Seattle?
The road trip is about 19.4 miles (31.2 km) and usually takes 00h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tukwila is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.8 miles from Des Moines and 10.5 miles from Seattle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14.1 miles (22.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.56 one way or $7.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Des Moines and Mostly Sunny near Seattle.
Stop Ideas Near Tukwila
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Auburn
Auburn Community & Event Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tukwila.
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Tacoma Dome Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Des Moines and Seattle. Straight-line distance: 14.13 mi (22.74 km).
#1 Des Moines
City in Washington
| Population | 32,389 |
| Coordinates | 47.4017700, -122.3242900 |
| Altitude | 28 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Seattle
The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.
| Population | 769,714 |
| Coordinates | 47.6062100, -122.3320700 |
| Altitude | 56 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-122.332143, 47.606309)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 31 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $3.56 | $7.12 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $3.79 | $7.57 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $3.92 | $7.85 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $3.72 | $7.44 |
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 24, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.