How far is Palouse, WA from Seattle, WA?

Fastest route

The journey from Palouse, Washington 99161 to Seattle, Washington is approximately 288 miles (464 kilometers) long and takes around 4 hours and 54 minutes. The fastest route at the moment is via WA-26 W and I-90 W, considering traffic conditions.

Directions

  1. Take Whitman to Bridge St/Division St.
  2. Head north on N Beach St toward Whitman.
  3. Follow WA-26 W and I-90 W to 7th Ave in Seattle.
  4. Take exit 2C from I-90 W.
  5. Turn right onto Bridge St/Division St.
  6. Bridge St/Division St turns slightly left and becomes Echanove Ave.
  7. Turn left onto WA-272 W/W Church St.
  8. Turn right onto S Main St.
  9. Slight left onto W Walla Walla Hwy.
  10. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 2C for I-5 N toward Vancouver B.C.
  11. Use the 2nd from the right lane to continue toward 7th Ave.
  12. Keep right, follow signs for Madison St / Convention Center N, and merge onto 7th Ave.
  13. Drive to Madison St.
  14. Turn left onto Madison St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Consider checking the traffic conditions before starting your journey to choose the best time to travel.
  • ⛽ Make sure to have a full tank of gas before embarking on the trip, especially for longer journeys.
  • 🍽 Plan your meal breaks along the way to avoid hunger and fatigue. Look for restaurants or rest areas in advance.
  • 🚫 Observe and obey traffic rules and speed limits for a safe and smooth journey.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app or GPS device to stay on track and receive real-time updates on the route.
  • 🛣 Be prepared for toll roads if applicable and keep some cash or a transponder handy.
  • 🚘 Take regular breaks during the long drive to stretch your legs and stay refreshed.
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
288.66 mi
04h 48m
Flight
251.08 mi
404.08 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Palouse.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
251.08 mi
Kilometers
404.08 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
288.66 mi
Kilometers
464.56 km
Drive Time
04h 48m

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 04h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seattle
Thu, Apr 23, 12:36 AM PDT
Return by in Palouse
Thu, Apr 23, 5:25 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Palouse
2026-04-22T19:47
Arrive Seattle
Thu, Apr 23, 12:36 AM PDT
Route Timing
04h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:49 AM to 12:49 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:22 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Palouse
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
Royal City
WA

City in Grant County, Washington, United States

From Palouse
143.9 mi
02h 24m
To Seattle
144.7 mi
02h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Wednesday

Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Palouse and Seattle.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Palouse and Seattle.

  1. 1

    Start on North Beach Street

    41 m · 8 sec · North Beach Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    83 m · 11 sec · East Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Bridge Street

    104 m · 12 sec · South Bridge Street

  4. 4

    Continue on West Almota Road

    2366 ft · 1 min · West Almota Road

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 27

    2.8 mi · 4 min · State Highway 27

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Clear Creek Road

    1955 ft · 33 sec · Clear Creek Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Clear Creek Road

    8.2 mi · 12 min · Clear Creek Road

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto State Route 272

    4.8 mi · 8 min · State Route 272

  9. 9

    Continue on East Canyon Street

    3059 ft · 2 min · East Canyon Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1913 ft · 1 min · South Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South Main Street

    880 ft · 24 sec · South Main Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Fairview Street

    1 km · 2 min · West Fairview Street

  13. 13

    Continue on West Almota Road

    1072 ft · 30 sec · West Almota Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Colfax Airport Road

  15. 15

    Turn left

    129.3 mi · 2 hr 44 min

  16. 16

    Continue on I 90 West: Seattle

    1.1 km · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    135.4 mi · 2 hr 30 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, James Street, Madison Street

    1.2 km · 1 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia, Madison Street, Convention Center

    881 ft · 22 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Madison Street, Convention Place

    1843 ft · 55 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    760 ft · 35 sec · Madison Street

  22. 22

    Turn left

    9 m · 2 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Palouse and Seattle.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
23 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
136 mi · 47%
Clear Creek Road
8.6 mi · 3%
State Route 272
4.78 mi · 2%
Colfax Airport Road
3.05 mi · 1%
State Highway 27
2.76 mi · 1%
I 5 North
0.9 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left

135 mi · 02h 30m

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
04h 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.6 mi
251.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Royal City
02h 24m from Palouse
Leave By
7:22 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Palouse and Light Rain Likely near Seattle.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Palouse to Seattle?

The road trip is about 288.7 miles (464.6 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?

Royal City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.9 miles from Palouse and 144.7 miles from Seattle.

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

The direct path is about 251.1 miles (404.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.6 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 7:22 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $53.32 one way or $106.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Palouse and Light Rain Likely near Seattle.

Stop Ideas Near Royal City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Royal City, 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 Royal City.

BUS

Moses Lake, Washington

37 mi away
1819 East Kittleson Road
BUS

Quincy, Washington

41 mi away
102 B St NE
BUS

Ephrata, WA

45 mi away
1352 Basin Street SW
RAIL

Ephrata

47 mi away
24 Alder St NW

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Palouse and Seattle. Straight-line distance: 251.08 mi (404.08 km).

Palouse

#1 Palouse

City in Washington, USA

Population1,055
Coordinates46.9101700, -117.0757300
Altitude742
CountryUnited States
Seattle

#2 Seattle

The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.

Population769,714
Coordinates47.6062100, -122.3320700
Altitude56
CountryUnited States
Start: North Beach Street (-117.075712, 46.910171)
End: (-122.332143, 47.606309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 465 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.19 gal
38.56 L · about $53.32
Round trip
$106.65
20.38 gal · 77.12 L
Estimated CO2
90.6 kg one way
Round trip: 181.1 kg / 399 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $53.32 $106.65
Mid-grade $5.57 $56.73 $113.46
Premium $5.77 $58.81 $117.61
Diesel $5.47 $55.71 $111.42

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Palouse and Seattle. The current time is 19:47:54.

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.