For patients driving from Olympia
Eye Doctor in Shelton — 20 Minutes from Olympia
Independent optometry a straight 20–25 minute drive up Highway 101 from downtown Olympia. Often faster than crossing town, and often sooner than your local waitlist.
If you live in Olympia, Lacey, or Tumwater, you already know two things about local eye care: appointments are booked out, and every trip involves fighting traffic to somewhere across town.
Shelton is 20 minutes up Highway 101. No downtown parking. No waitlist through fall. Same insurance, same standards, less friction. That's the whole pitch.
Why the drive works
Three reasons Olympia patients keep coming back
Shorter wait times
Most Olympia-area optometrists are booked six to twelve weeks out for a routine exam. We're typically scheduling one to two weeks out — sometimes same-week for urgent issues.
One doctor, every visit
Dr. La is the only optometrist here. You see him at every visit — not a rotating group. Continuity means better clinical decisions and less time re-explaining your history.
Same insurance, less friction
We take the same plans your Olympia optometrist takes — VSP, Spectera, Regence, Premera, Kaiser, Apple Health, Medicare, and more. And Walmart parking is free, next to the entrance, no meters.
The drive
Straight up 101, roughly 20 minutes
From downtown Olympia, take Highway 101 north. That's it. No highway changes, no cross-town traffic, no ferry timing.
The exit is Wallace Kneeland Boulevard in Shelton. We're at the Walmart on the left. Parking is free, and the entrance is 30 seconds from where you park.
Coming from Lacey or Tumwater, the drive is 22–25 minutes depending on where you start — usually shorter than getting from Lacey to a westside Olympia office in afternoon traffic.
Frequently asked
Questions from Olympia patients
How does driving from Olympia to Shelton compare to going to an eye doctor in Olympia itself?+
Highway 101 north from Olympia to our office is roughly 20–25 minutes with light traffic — no stoplights, no downtown parking hunt. Many patients tell us it’s actually faster than crossing town during the afternoon rush to a westside or eastside Olympia office. Parking at our location is free and immediately next to the entrance.
Can I get an eye exam appointment sooner in Shelton than in Olympia?+
Often, yes. Most Olympia-area optometrists are booked 6–12 weeks out for a routine exam. We typically have appointments available within one to two weeks. If your Olympia optometrist can’t see you until October and you need eye care now, we can usually help.
Do you accept the same insurance my Olympia eye doctor accepts?+
Very likely. We accept VSP, Spectera, Regence, Premera Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Medicare, Apple Health (Medicaid), Molina, Wellcare, Coordinated Care, and Tricare — the same plans most Olympia optometrists work with. If you don’t see yours listed, call and we’ll check.
Is Shelton Family Eye Care a large group or a solo optometrist?+
Independent, single-doctor practice — Dr. Steven La has been the sole optometrist here since 2012. You see him every visit, not a rotating cast. That’s a different experience from most larger Olympia practices where you may see a different provider each time.
What if I need to be seen urgently — same-day for an eye issue?+
Call us at (360) 427-8324. We reserve time each day for urgent visits — foreign body removal, sudden vision changes, eye pain, or an infection you can’t wait a week to have looked at. If it’s after hours, our voicemail directs true emergencies to the nearest ER.
Ready to book?
Book online in about a minute, or call the office. New patients from Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater welcome.