How far is Vancouver, WA from Ames Lake, WA?
The driving distance from Vancouver, WA to Ames Lake, WA is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 141.7 miles (228 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 37m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Thurston County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vancouver and Ames Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vancouver and Ames Lake.
-
1
Start on East Fourth Plain Boulevard
31 m · 10 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard
-
2
Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Seattle
873 ft · 23 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
131.7 mi · 2 hr 30 min
-
4
Keep slight right
20.7 mi · 26 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
136 m · 11 sec
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
2062 ft · 50 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
13.8 mi · 17 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
2458 ft · 60 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on WA 520 East: 124th Avenue Northeast, Redmond
138 m · 11 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on 124th Avenue Northeast
1401 ft · 34 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 7 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward WA 202: Redmond Way
2211 ft · 54 sec
-
13
Turn right onto Redmond Way
1.4 km · 2 min · Redmond Way
-
14
Continue on Northeast Redmond Fall City Road
5.2 mi · 8 min · Northeast Redmond Fall City Road
-
15
Turn left onto Northeast Ames Lake Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Northeast Ames Lake Road
-
16
Turn right onto Northeast Quail Creek Drive
1512 ft · 1 min · Northeast Quail Creek Drive
-
17
Turn left onto Quail Creek Way Northeast
86 m · 14 sec · Quail Creek Way Northeast
-
18
Turn right onto Northeast 26th Street
73 m · 16 sec · Northeast 26th Street
-
19
Turn left onto 279th Court Northeast
76 m · 11 sec · 279th Court Northeast
-
20
Turn slight left
58 m · 14 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vancouver and Ames Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 North
Merge slight left
132 mi · 02h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Vancouver and Partly Sunny near Ames Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vancouver to Ames Lake?
The road trip is about 181.3 miles (291.8 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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?
Grand Mound is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.6 miles from Vancouver and 90.7 miles from Ames Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 141.7 miles (228 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.6 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 9:44 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.49 one way or $66.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Vancouver and Partly Sunny near Ames Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Mound
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Olympia Urban Forestry
Olympia City Hall
City Of Lacey Maintenance Service Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grand Mound.
Centralia station
Centennial Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vancouver and Ames Lake. Straight-line distance: 141.67 mi (228 km).
#1 Vancouver
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 186,192 |
| Coordinates | 45.6387300, -122.6614900 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames Lake
Census designated place in Washington, United States
| Population | 1,486 |
| Coordinates | 47.6328800, -121.9662300 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames Lake (-121.96623, 47.63288)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $33.49 | $66.98 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $35.63 | $71.26 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $36.93 | $73.87 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $34.99 | $69.98 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.