How far is Seattle, WA from Ferndale, WA?

The driving distance from Seattle, WA to Ferndale, WA is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.5 miles (139.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 00m 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
98.26 mi
02h 00m
Flight
86.52 mi
139.24 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Seattle.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.52 mi
Kilometers
139.24 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.26 mi
Kilometers
158.14 km
Drive Time
02h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ferndale
Thu, Apr 23, 4:55 AM PDT
Return by in Seattle
Thu, Apr 23, 6:55 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Seattle
2026-04-23T02:55
Arrive Ferndale
Thu, Apr 23, 4:55 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT

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

Leave by
2:30 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Seattle
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
Lake Ketchum
WA

Census designated place

From Seattle
49.1 mi
01h 00m
To Ferndale
49.2 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NW
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    9 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Madison Street

    62 m · 11 sec · Madison Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 4th Avenue

    916 ft · 39 sec · 4th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto University Street

    653 ft · 26 sec · University Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 5 North

    1631 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    96.5 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Main Street, Ferndale City Center

    1498 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Main Street

    1.4 km · 3 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
96.8 mi · 99%
Main Street
1.13 mi · 1%
4th Avenue
0.17 mi
University Street
0.12 mi
Madison Street
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Merge slight right

96.5 mi · 01h 55m

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 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.7 mi
86.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Ketchum
01h 00m from Seattle
Leave By
2:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Seattle and Mostly Sunny near Ferndale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 98.2 miles (158.1 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?

Lake Ketchum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.1 miles from Seattle and 49.2 miles from Ferndale.

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

The direct path is about 86.5 miles (139.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 2:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.16 one way or $36.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Seattle and Mostly Sunny near Ferndale.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Ketchum

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lake Ketchum, 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 Lake Ketchum.

RAIL

Stanwood station

5 mi away
27111 Florence Way
RAIL

Skagit Transportation Center

17 mi away
105 East Kincaid St.
RAIL

Everett Station

35 mi away
3201 Smith Ave.
RAIL

Bellingham station

50 mi away
401 Harris Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Seattle and Ferndale. Straight-line distance: 86.52 mi (139.24 km).

Seattle

#1 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
Ferndale

#2 Ferndale

City in Whatcom County, Washington, United States

Population15,531
Coordinates48.8465000, -122.5910100
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Start: Seattle (-122.33207, 47.60621)
End: Ferndale (-122.59101, 48.8465)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 158 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.47 gal
13.13 L · about $18.16
Round trip
$36.32
6.94 gal · 26.26 L
Estimated CO2
30.8 kg one way
Round trip: 61.7 kg / 136 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $18.16 $36.32
Mid-grade $5.57 $19.32 $38.63
Premium $5.77 $20.03 $40.05
Diesel $5.47 $18.97 $37.94

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 Seattle and Ferndale. The current time is 02:55:23.

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.