How far is Seattle, WA from Mercer Island, WA?
The driving distance from Seattle, WA to Mercer Island, WA is about 7.1 miles (11.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 5.7 miles (9.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 25m 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 12m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Washington state
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Seattle and Mercer Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle and Mercer Island.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto Madison Street
62 m · 11 sec · Madison Street
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3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
94 m · 15 sec · 4th Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Spring Street
647 ft · 26 sec · Spring Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Portland
1151 ft · 28 sec
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6
Continue straight
3180 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
45 m · 2 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Bellevue, Spokane
2257 ft · 55 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1.6 km · 1 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
3.1 mi · 4 min · Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Island Crest Way
2049 ft · 50 sec
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12
Keep slight left
31 m · 3 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Island Crest Way
1.1 km · 2 min · Island Crest Way
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14
Turn left onto Southeast 40th Street
661 ft · 22 sec · Southeast 40th Street
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15
Turn right onto 86th Avenue Southeast
1325 ft · 53 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast
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16
Turn left onto Southeast 42nd Street
539 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Seattle and Mercer Island.
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.
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Keep slight left to continue on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
3.12 mi · 00h 04m
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 Cloudy leaving Seattle and Mostly Cloudy near Mercer Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Seattle to Mercer Island?
The road trip is about 7.1 miles (11.5 km) and usually takes 00h 12m 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?
Medina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.6 miles from Seattle and 3.6 miles from Mercer Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 5.7 miles (9.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.4 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 8:04 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.31 one way or $2.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Seattle and Mostly Cloudy near Mercer Island.
Stop Ideas Near Medina
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Renton City Human Services
Renton City Hall
Renton Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Medina.
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Tukwila station
Edmonds station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Seattle and Mercer Island. Straight-line distance: 5.69 mi (9.15 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Mercer Island
Island in the United States of America
| Population | 25,912 |
| Coordinates | 47.5706500, -122.2220700 |
| Altitude | 102 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mercer Island (-122.22207, 47.57065)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 12 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $1.31 | $2.62 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $1.44 | $2.89 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $1.37 | $2.73 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.