One-way rental prices can vary by date, vehicle category and the exact pickup and return locations. Compare more than one option before booking.
Car Rental
One-way car rental from Seattle to Portland
Seattle to Portland by car
Check the driving distance, estimated time, fuel cost and road-charge information for the Seattle to Portland route.
- 174 mi Driving distance
- 3h 10m Estimated drive time
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$18–$36
Estimated fuel cost
Estimated from the route distance, country fuel prices and a documented passenger-car fuel-consumption range.
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No tolls indicated
Road charges
This does not confirm the route is free of charges. Local access rules, low-emission zones and other local fees may still apply.
Car rental prices from Seattle to Portland
See example prices for a three-day one-way rental.
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Small
Mitsubishi Mirage or similar
From $42 per day
$126 for 3 days
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Medium
Nissan Versa or similar
From $44 per day
$132 for 3 days
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Large
Volkswagen Jetta or similar
From $48 per day
$145 for 3 days
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SUV
Buick Encore or similar
From $60 per day
$179 for 3 days
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Luxury
Cadillac CT5 or similar
From $111 per day
$334 for 3 days
Example prices observed in a real search. Prices may vary by dates and availability.
How to save on a one-way car rental from Seattle to Portland
- Check nearby dates. Rental prices can change by pickup date and availability. If your schedule is flexible, compare a day or two either side of your planned dates. Another day is not guaranteed to be cheaper.
- Compare more than one car category. In the three-day sample search, Small had the lowest observed total at $126. Medium was almost level at $132, while Large was $145 and SUV $179, so neighbouring sizes stepped up gradually before the larger jump to SUV in that sample.
- Compare the full one-way total. The booking total is more useful than the daily rate alone. One-way pricing for Seattle to Portland can depend on the booking conditions and the exact pickup and return locations.
- Compare practical pickup and return locations. Stored offers for this route included SEA airport-area desks and Seattle city branches, with Portland return options. Compare the combinations that fit your trip. One-way totals can differ by exact rental location.
- Check free-cancellation terms before choosing the lowest price. Confirm the deadline on the exact offer you book so a lower total does not lock you into an inflexible rate.
Tips for a one-way car rental from Seattle to Portland
For this 174 mi Seattle to Portland rental (about 3h 10m), check the separate SEA rental facility and the PDX return before you leave.
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If collecting at SEA, know about the separate Rental Car Facility
SEA rental cars sit in a separate facility at 3150 S. 160th Street. It operates 24 hours. Follow airport rental shuttle signs. The cars are not at the terminal curb. Confirm the current shuttle stop on your voucher before you leave arrivals.
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Check conditions before leaving Seattle
Check WSDOT and Oregon TripCheck for incidents, mountain weather and construction before you leave Seattle. The published 3h 10m time is an estimate, not a guaranteed arrival. Build extra time if I-5 is showing delays.
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If returning at PDX, know that the Rental Car Center is on airport
Unlike SEA, the PDX Rental Car Center is on airport. Follow Rental Car Return signs. You do not take an off-airport shuttle to a distant lot. Confirm the exact garage approach on the voucher so you do not enter ordinary passenger parking.
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Confirm the exact Portland return branch and hours
An Avis city desk is not the airport center. Confirm the street, hours and after-hours process on the voucher before you leave Seattle. After-hours drop-off is not available at every desk.
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Confirm the Washington to Oregon one-way conditions
Washington to Oregon one-way permission is a booking condition. Confirm the car may leave Washington and be returned in Portland on the exact voucher. Crossing the state line without that permission is not a local desk decision.
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Choose a car that fits the trip
Choose a car with enough luggage space for this interstate hop. Confirm the transmission on the selected offer before you collect the keys. Do not assume the example photo matches the car you receive.
Seattle to Portland car rental FAQs
Answers to common questions about one-way rentals and driving from Seattle to Portland.
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Small cars start at $42 per day for Seattle to Portland. Medium starts at $44 per day, a modest step up if you want a little more cabin space on this regional hop. Prices vary depending on your dates and vehicle availability. Check live prices on AirTrackBot for your trip.
It depends on the offer. A drop charge may already be inside the total or listed separately. Search Seattle and Portland as different locations, then check the full price breakdown and the rental provider’s terms before booking.
Seattle and Portland are about 174 mi (280 km) apart by road, or around 3 hours 10 minutes south on I-5. It is a short-to-medium regional hop, so daily rate and pickup location usually matter more than long-distance planning.
No toll roads are indicated on the calculated Seattle to Portland drive via I-5. Other routings can differ, so check your navigation before departure if you change the planned route.
Budget roughly $18–$36 for fuel on the Seattle to Portland drive.
Small was the cheapest tier at $42 per day, ahead of Medium at $44 per day. Open Small first if you want the lowest daily rate on Seattle to Portland.
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