MileCheckShould you drive, fly or take the train from Seattle to Portland?
Compare the train first for a trip between the city centres without a car at either end. Drive if you need the car for the rest of the visit or are sharing its cost. Compare flying door to door, not just by time in the air.
Facts checked September 2026. Every number links to its source; prices and rules change, so confirm the day you travel.
Start with where you will stay
Check the distance from your accommodation to the station, airport or parking space you would use. Include those transfers in both directions. A useful train connection for one hotel may be awkward for another.
The driving option
Check I-5 for the day you will travel. Include your route through the Seattle and Portland areas rather than assuming one fixed motorway time.
Get the destination parking price before comparing. For a one-way rental, use the quoted return location and fee.
The rail option
Amtrak Cascades serves Seattle and Portland. Use the official booking page for the travel date and check the actual departure, arrival and fare conditions.
Read the itinerary before paying. Compare station-to-door transfers with the airport transfers you would otherwise need.
The flight option
Check the day’s fare for your airports. Add airport access, check-in time, baggage and travel from the arrival airport. If the flight is part of a longer booked connection, compare that itinerary separately from a city-to-city trip.
Cost for one, two or four people
Let D be the total car cost. Let T be the train ticket plus that person’s share of station transfers, and F the equivalent complete flight cost. Use current quotes for the same dates.
| Travellers | Car per person | Train per person | Flight per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | T | F |
| 2 | D ÷ 2 | T | F |
| 4 | D ÷ 4 | T | F |
Recalculate T and F for each group size if transfers are shared or fares differ. No fare estimate here is being presented as a bookable ticket.
Know exactly where you are — live
Your mile marker shows even offline. Live DOT alerts and the nearest camera on your route are part of MileCheck Premium and need a connection to update. Runs on CarPlay and Android Auto.
Questions, answered
Is there a train between Seattle and Portland?
Yes. Check Amtrak Cascades for the date’s service and fare.
Should you drive for a city-centre weekend?
Compare the train and station transfers with driving and parking before deciding.
Does travelling as a group favour the car?
It lets you share the car’s cost. Compare the actual total rather than assuming it wins.
Should you count airport time?
Yes, on both ends and for the return.
Can you use one fixed driving time?
Use a current route estimate for your addresses and departure.
What if you need a car outside Portland?
Include a destination rental in the train and flight comparisons.
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