San Mateo, CA → Seattle, WA
695 mi · 13h 53m (driving)
Current Risk
Low Risk
Clear conditions along your route
San Mateo
58°
40.1°
70°
42.6°
53°
45.1°
55°
Seattle
64°
Trip Briefing
4 segments · 695 mi · 13h 53m
Weather
⛅ Partly cloudy
70°F, wind 6 mph
Rest Stops
15
Restrooms, water, Vending
Cameras
6 live
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● Alameda County Industries 🚻
- ● Hunter Hill Rest Area 🚻 🥤 🪑
- ● Pilot Travel Center
Hazards Ahead
1 road closure may affect your route · 3 construction zones on route
3 Construction Zones on Route
Night roadwork will remove and replace worn and damaged sections of the driving surface of I-5. Construction for this <a href="https://bit.ly/4we6ZaO">project</a> is planned for both directions of I-5 between Lacey and DuPont. During roadwork, people will see reduced lanes and a lowered speed limit.
The express lanes are northbound-only 24 hours a day through the end of 2026 due to lane reductions for construction on the northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge.
The Harvard Avenue on-ramp to northbound I-5 is closed until mid-October for the Revive I-5 Ship Canal Bridge construction project.
Traffic Cameras
See recent road conditions along your route
Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.
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Selected Route
Via I-880 North → I-80 East → I-505 North → I-405 North → I-5 North
Cameras shown are along this computed route
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TV423 -- US-101 : Hillsdale Avenue
San Mateo, CA · NB
TV425 -- US-101 : Just South of East Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, CA · NB
TVE03 -- SR-92 : San Mateo Bridge Substation 2
San Mateo, CA ·
TV702 -- I-880 : AT JNO INDUSTRIAL
Hayward, CA · NB
Hwy 5 at Williams NB
Williams, CA
Red Bluff
Red Bluff, CA
Bowman Rd
Cottonwood, CA
Mott Rd
Mount Shasta, CA ·
Hilt Sandhouse
Hornbrook, CA
I-5 at Elligsen Road
WA ·
I-5 at MP 35.8: Owl Creek
WA ·
I-5 at MP 104.8: Capitol Blvd
WA ·
Rest Stops Along Your Route
61 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 61
Get Weather Alerts for This Route
We'll notify you when conditions change before your trip. Never drive into a surprise storm again.
⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route
Premium users received alerts for these conditions:
- 🌧️Aug 11: Rain advisory for afternoon departures
- ❄️Aug 9: Snow expected at higher elevations - consider earlier departure
- 🌫️Aug 6: Dense fog warning for morning travel
Don't miss the next alert →
Driving from San Mateo, CA to Seattle, WA covers 695 miles in roughly 13h 53m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras, 61 rest areas and 1 reported incident along this corridor so you can plan around them. On a drive this length, weather can change dramatically between stops. Use the segment-by-segment forecast below to time your route.
7-Day Driving Outlook
Today
Aug 13
72° / 55°
1% precip
Tomorrow
Aug 14
70° / 57°
6% precip
Sat
Aug 15
75° / 59°
3% precip
Sun
Aug 16
83° / 58°
1% precip
Mon
Aug 17
83° / 58°
1% precip
Tue
Aug 18
83° / 59°
1% precip
Wed
Aug 19
81° / 58°
1% precip
🗓️ Weekend Outlook
Saturday
Good to Go☁️ Overcast at origin, ☁️ Overcast at destination
Sunday
Good to Go☁️ Overcast at origin, ☁️ Overcast at destination
Plan This Route
Get hour-by-hour weather forecasts, real-time traffic, and find the optimal departure time.
🚗 Live traffic included
See if current slowdowns affect your drive time
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Current Conditions
San Mateo, CA
58°F
Wind: 4 mph
Seattle, WA
64°F
Wind: 5 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from San Mateo, CA to Seattle, WA
The 695-mile drive from San Mateo, California to Seattle, Washington takes approximately 13h 53m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially through mountainous terrain where elevation changes can bring sudden weather shifts. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.
This long-distance route crosses state lines from California into Washington, connecting San Mateo and Seattle. Covering 695 miles, this is a substantial drive that will take you through diverse terrain and weather patterns. Planning ahead with real-time conditions along the entire route — not just at your destination — is essential for a safe trip.
Common Weather Hazards on This Route
- Dense fog, especially during early morning hours
- Extreme heat and dust storms in desert regions
- Flash floods during monsoon season (July through September)
Seasonal Driving Considerations
Mountain passes along this corridor can be treacherous from October through May, with chain requirements, road closures, and whiteout conditions at higher elevations. Summer brings its own challenges — afternoon thunderstorms are common above 7,000 feet, and construction season narrows lanes on key highways. Always check pass conditions before departing, and carry emergency supplies during the colder months.
Best Time to Drive San Mateo to Seattle
For long drives like this 695-mile journey, planning is essential. Consider breaking the trip into segments if weather looks challenging. The best approach is to check conditions for multiple departure times using Route Outlook's optimizer, which considers weather at each point when you'll actually be there.
Driving Strategy
Covering 695 miles from San Mateo to Seattle is a full-day or multi-day drive that requires advance planning. Break the route into manageable segments, planning fuel and rest stops every 2-3 hours. Weather that looks fine at departure may deteriorate significantly at the midpoint. Consider booking overnight accommodation if the forecast shows deteriorating conditions in the latter half. Route Outlook's segment-level weather data helps you identify exactly where and when conditions will change.
Pro Tip
Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from San Mateo to Seattle?
The drive is approximately 695 miles and takes about 13h 53m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.
What's the best day to drive this route?
Based on current forecasts, Monday, Aug 17 looks ideal. Low chance of precipitation with manageable conditions
Is it safe to drive from San Mateo to Seattle today?
Current conditions show low risk along this route. Conditions look favorable for travel. Always stay alert and adjust speed for changing conditions.
Are there rest areas on the San Mateo to Seattle route?
Yes, there are 61 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.
Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?
Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.
What highways does this route use?
This route primarily uses Other. Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.
Are there any road closures on this route right now?
There is currently 1 active incident along this route that may affect your drive. Check the incident details above for specific locations and expected durations.
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🛡️Road Safety Features: Real-Time Conditions for Your Route
Real-time traffic incidents from 12 states, highway message signs, road conditions, and 25,000+ traffic cameras--integrated into your route planning.
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