As I’m sure every camper has experienced, arriving at camp after dark can turn a simple setup into a much bigger hassle. Pitching a tent, unloading gear, and getting organized is always easier with daylight. To help avoid that situation, I created this guide to estimate how far you can realistically drive after work while still arriving with enough daylight to get camp set up comfortably. Remember that these are general guidelines. Weather, mountain passes, ferry schedules, construction, and Friday traffic can all affect your arrival time. Always leave yourself extra time when possible.
Planning Assumptions
- I leave work at 5:00 PM.
- I assume an additional 30 minutes of traffic
- It takes me approximately 30 minutes to set up camp.
- Civil twilight (the period after sunset when there is still usable light) lasts about 30 minutes, so I consider sunset to be my latest arrival time.
Daylight Savings Time Considerations
Washington observes Daylight Saving Time beginning on the second Sunday in March.
Regardless of the exact date, by March 5 the sun is already setting around 6:00 PM, making after-work camping possible again.
Practical Driving Time
These estimates assume normal Friday traffic, no long stops along the way, and arriving at camp around sunset with approximately 30 minutes to set up before it becomes fully dark.
| Month | How Far I Am Willing to Drive After Work | Recommended Maximum Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| March | ~2 hrs | ~2 hour |
| April | ~2 hrs | ~2 hrs |
| May | ~3 hrs | ~ 3 hrs |
| June | ~3 hrs | ~4 hrs |
| July | ~3 hrs | ~4 hrs |
| August | ~3 hrs | ~3 hrs |
| September | ~2 hrs | ~ 2 hrs |
If a campground is farther away than these estimates, I’ll either:
- Take Friday off
- Leave early from work if possible.
Seasonal Planning
| Month | Sunset (1st) | Sunset (Last) | Bugs Out? | Fire Season? | Avg. Temp Seattle | Avg. Temp Leavenworth | Avg. Temp Ritzville | Avg. Temp Kelso |
| Mar | 5:55pm | 7:34pm | 47°F | 40°F | 42°F | 46°F | ||
| Apr | 7:39pm | 8:20pm | 51°F | 46°F | 49°F | 50°F | ||
| May | 8:21pm | 8:58pm | ✓ | 57°F | 55°F | 57°F | 55°F | |
| Jun | 8:58pm | 9:10pm | ✓ | 62°F | 61°F | 64°F | 60°F | |
| Jul | 9:10pm | 8:45pm | ✓ | ✓ | 66°F | 68°F | 72°F | 64°F |
| Aug | 8:43pm | 7:51pm | ✓ | ✓ | 67°F | 68°F | 71°F | 65°F |
| Sep | 7:49pm | 6:50pm | ✓ | ✓ | 62°F | 60°F | 61°F | 60°F |
Tips for Planning an After-Work Camping Trip
Before heading out, I always check:
- Sunset time
- Traffic conditions
- Weather forecast
- Fire restrictions
- Campsite reservation / check in out times
- Fuel level
My Rule of Thumb
For me, arriving before dark makes setting up camp less stressful, gives my dog time to settle in, and lets me enjoy the evening instead of fumbling around with a headlamp.
I hope this guide helps you spend less time setting up camp in the dark and more time enjoying your weekend. Happy camping!
Additional Resources that might help you
To plan your own trip, I recommend:
- https://weatherspark.com/ – Compare average temperatures throughout the year.
- https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/seattle – Check sunrise, sunset, and total daylight hours for your destination.
The 61 Park Project 
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