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Trip from Auburn, WA to Arlington, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

70.9 mi

114 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 24m ★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in King County, Washington, United States of America

Auburn, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in northern Snohomish County, Washington, United States

Arlington, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Auburn, WA to Arlington, WA covers 70.9 miles and takes about 1h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 405, I 5, Valley Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.9 miles on I 405. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.84 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

35.5 miles from Auburn, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 70.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 31m highway drive covering 70.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 405 and I 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.9 miles on I 405.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 405 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near C Street Southwest.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.9 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (C Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | C Street Southwest

Turn left onto C Street Southwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup
8
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
7
40.6 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
8
66.8 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in

Take the exit toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 208 Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Auburn, WA and Arlington, WA, road signs point toward Vancouver British Columbia and Darrington.

Vancouver British Columbia

40.6 mi in | ~52m

Darrington

66.8 mi in | ~1h 24m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 405 26.9 mi 33m
I 5 25.7 mi 31m
Valley Freeway 11.1 mi 13m
State Highway 530 Northeast 2.3 mi 3m
WA 530 1.5 mi 2m
East Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
C Street Southwest 0.2 mi <1m
State Route 18 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 405 — 26.9 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, WA and Arlington, WA.

1

Start on East Main Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto C Street Southwest

0.2 mi · 21 sec · C Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward WA 18 West Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto WA 18

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Route 18
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 54 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto WA 167

11 mi · 13 min · Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 405 North: Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 405

17 mi · 20 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

8.4 mi · 10 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 405
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 5

26 mi · 31 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 208 Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto WA 530

2.3 mi · 3 min · State Highway 530 Northeast
16

Enter roundabout onto WA 530

51 ft · 0 sec · WA 530
17

Continue on WA 530

0.3 mi · 26 sec · WA 530
18

Enter roundabout onto WA 530

89 ft · 1 sec · WA 530
19

Continue on WA 530

1.1 mi · 1 min · WA 530
20

Enter roundabout onto West Division Street

96 ft · 2 sec · West Division Street
21

Continue on West Division Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · West Division Street
22

Enter roundabout

124 ft · 3 sec
23

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 35.5 miles from Auburn, WA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.9 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 16 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 35.5 miles or 45m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Auburn, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Auburn, WA

This is one driving day of about 70.9 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Auburn, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 405 for about 26.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 35.5 mi from Auburn, WA · 45m into the drive

city in King County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kirkland, WA

35 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Renton, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Woodinville, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.5 miles from Auburn, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Arlington, WA

The final approach into Arlington, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.84 one way

$29.68 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $15.56 $31.12
premium $5.77 $16.10 $32.20
diesel $5.61 $15.65 $31.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.3 0 $7.44 $3.40
Efficient EV 17.7 0 $6.20 $2.84
EV Truck/SUV 28.4 0 $9.93 $4.54

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Auburn, WA

Evening in Auburn on Friday

Local time

5:47 PM

PDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, WA

Evening in Arlington on Friday

Local time

5:47 PM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

12 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 31m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Auburn, WA to Arlington, WA covers 70.9 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 405, I 5, Valley Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 35.5 miles from Auburn, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 70.9 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (C Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Auburn, WA and Arlington, WA, road signs point toward Vancouver British Columbia and Darrington.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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