How far is Mercer Island, WA from Vancouver, WA?

The driving distance from Mercer Island, WA to Vancouver, WA is about 167.4 miles (269.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.1 miles (217.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
167.38 mi
02h 50m
Flight
135.1 mi
217.43 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mercer Island.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.1 mi
Kilometers
217.43 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.38 mi
Kilometers
269.38 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

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 02h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Vancouver
Wed, Jun 3, 9:10 AM PDT
Return by in Mercer Island
Wed, Jun 3, 12:00 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mercer Island
2026-06-03T06:19
Arrive Vancouver
Wed, Jun 3, 9:10 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:50 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mercer Island
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Fords Prairie
WA

Census designated place

From Mercer Island
83.6 mi
01h 25m
To Vancouver
83.8 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
9 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mercer Island and Vancouver.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mercer Island and Vancouver.

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast 42nd Street

    539 ft · 28 sec · Southeast 42nd Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 86th Avenue Southeast

    1325 ft · 49 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Southeast 40th Street

    1344 ft · 44 sec · Southeast 40th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Gallagher Hill Road

    1478 ft · 41 sec · Gallagher Hill Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast 36th Street

    2209 ft · 1 min · Southeast 36th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East

    1819 ft · 46 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto East Channel Bridge

    2894 ft · 41 sec · East Channel Bridge

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405: Everett, Renton

    2502 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: Renton

    2711 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    10.7 mi · 13 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Portland

    1446 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    20.3 mi · 25 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    126.2 mi · 2 hr 23 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    6.2 mi · 8 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward 4th Plain Boulevard

    955 ft · 23 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on 4th Plain Boulevard East

    74 m · 13 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard

    810 ft · 23 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mercer Island 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
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
153 mi · 91%
I 405 South
11.2 mi · 7%
East Channel Bridge
0.55 mi
I 405
0.47 mi
Southeast 36th Street
0.42 mi
I 90 East
0.34 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 comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.3 mi
135.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fords Prairie
01h 25m from Mercer Island
Leave By
12:50 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Mercer Island and Mostly Cloudy near Vancouver.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mercer Island to Vancouver?

The road trip is about 167.4 miles (269.4 km) and usually takes 02h 50m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fords Prairie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.6 miles from Mercer Island and 83.8 miles from Vancouver.

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

The direct path is about 135.1 miles (217.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:50 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.93 one way or $61.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Mercer Island and Mostly Cloudy near Vancouver.

Stop Ideas Near Fords Prairie

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Fords Prairie, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fords Prairie.

RAIL

Centralia station

3 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

32 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center

66 mi away
501 South First Street
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

71 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mercer Island and Vancouver. Straight-line distance: 135.1 mi (217.43 km).

Mercer Island

#1 Mercer Island

Island in the United States of America

Population25,912
Coordinates47.5706500, -122.2220700
Altitude102
CountryUnited States
Vancouver

#2 Vancouver

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population186,192
Coordinates45.6387300, -122.6614900
Altitude52
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast 42nd Street (-122.222067, 47.570945)
End: East Fourth Plain Boulevard (-122.661479, 45.638677)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 269 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.91 gal
22.36 L · about $30.93
Round trip
$61.85
11.82 gal · 44.72 L
Estimated CO2
52.5 kg one way
Round trip: 105 kg / 231 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $30.93 $61.85
Mid-grade $5.57 $32.90 $65.80
Premium $5.77 $34.11 $68.21
Diesel $5.47 $32.31 $64.62

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 · Jun 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Mercer Island and Vancouver. The current time is 06:19:49.

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.