Road Trip: Time It Takes To Drive From Bothell, WA to Pleasant Hill, CA

Planning a road trip from Bothell, Washington to Pleasant Hill, California? Well, buckle up and let's hit the road! But before you do, know that the journey can take different times depending on the route you take and the traffic you encounter. So, let’s break down the estimated driving times and the best routes to take.

Fastest Route: I-5 S

If time is a priority, the fastest route is taking the I-5 S. It is approximately 771 miles long and will take around 12.5 hours of driving time without any stops in between. However, expecting no traffic on this route adds unneeded disappointment to your journey. If you hit peak traffic or rush hours in Portland, Seattle, or Sacramento, your travel time will inevitably increase by few hours.

Scenic Route: Highway 97 S and I-5 S

If you love scenic drives and want to take a few detours, head down on Highway 97 S until Yakima, WA. After that, join I-82 E and connect I-84 W, which will lead you to Portland. From there, you can take I-5 S to Pleasant Hill. This route would add an additional driving time of at least one hour compared to the I-5 S route. But hey, you get to treat your eyes with some beautiful sights of Central and Eastern Washington.

Shortest Route: WA-20 W and CA-20 W

Taking WA-20 W and CA-20 W is the third option, which is approximately 773 miles long and supposed to take around 13 hours of driving time. This route is slightly longer than I-5 S, but it is a straight shot leading to Pleasant Hill, CA. However, note that this route has a lot of twists and turns, so keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

Traffic Considerations

As we mentioned earlier, traffic can be a deciding factor in the duration of your road trip. The best way to avoid traffic is to plan your route around peak traffic hours. For I-5, they are usually between 6:30 am to 9:30 am and 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Additionally, weekends and major holidays can create more traffic than usual, so plan accordingly.

Summing Up

So, there you have it - the three routes you can take to drive from Bothell, WA to Pleasant Hill, CA. Depending on your travel preferences, you can choose from the fastest, scenic, or shortest routes. It's always a good idea to plan your trip ahead and take into account the traffic and weather conditions to ensure a safe journey. Happy travels!