Trip from Auburn, WA to Camas, WA

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

156.7 mi

252 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

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

Downtown Auburn, WA, WA

Auburn, WA

nicholas hatherly

Downtown Camas, WA, WA

Camas, WA

Harrison Reilly

Trip Overview

Spanning 156.7 miles, this route from Auburn to Camas is a straightforward journey through Washington's Pacific Coast region. You can expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for roughly $33 in fuel costs for the one-way trek. By primarily utilizing I-5, I-205, and the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, you stay connected to the state's main arterial road network. It is a practical, efficient path that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, this drive offers a reliable way to navigate between these two Washington hubs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

78.3 miles from Auburn, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed infrastructure, with 94% of your journey taking place on major highways. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm early on, as the route features a 133.4-mile stretch primarily on I-5. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is consistent and predictable rather than technical or meandering. As you transition from the interstate onto I-205 and finally the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, the pace remains brisk. Expect a straightforward interstate grind that allows you to cover significant ground quickly without the need for complex navigation or constant gear shifting.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. 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.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 156.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (C Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 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
4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma

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

Use the straight lane. Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
148.2 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center

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 27 Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
8
154.7 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | WA 14 Business

Take the exit onto WA 14 Business toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center

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 12 Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center
8
155.1 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | WA 14 Business

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 14 Business toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas

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

Use the straight lane. Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Auburn, WA to Camas, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center along the way.

City Center

148.2 mi in | ~2h 52m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 133.4 mi 2h 31m
I 205 10.1 mi 13m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway 5.5 mi 6m
State Route 18 2.7 mi 3m
Northwest 6th Avenue 1 mi 2m
WA 14 Business 0.4 mi <1m
Northeast 3rd Avenue 0.3 mi 1m
East Main Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 133.4 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, WA and Camas, 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

2.7 mi · 3 min · State Route 18
Use the none lane.
5

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma Use the straight lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma Use the none lane.
8

Merge onto I 5

7.2 mi · 9 min · I 5
Use the none lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

126 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 5
Use the none lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 205

10 mi · 13 min · I 205
Toward I 205 South: Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Exit 27 Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward WA 14 East: Camas Use the slight left lane.
13

Merge onto WA 14

5.5 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto WA 14 Business

0.3 mi · 36 sec · WA 14 Business
Exit 12 Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 14 Business

0.1 mi · 15 sec · WA 14 Business
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas Use the straight lane.
16

Enter roundabout onto WA 14 Business

119 ft · 2 sec · Northwest 6th Avenue
17

Continue on WA 14 Business

1.0 mi · 2 min · Northwest 6th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn slight right

116 ft · 4 sec
Use the right lane.
19

Turn right onto WA 14 Business

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Northeast Adams Street
Use the none lane.
20

Continue on WA 14 Business

0.3 mi · 1 min · Northeast 3rd Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

WA 14 Business

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 6-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on I-5, which can significantly impact your travel time. Planning for at least one stop is a smart way to break up the long 133.4-mile stretch of interstate, helping you stay alert behind the wheel. Since fuel costs will run you about $33, consider topping off your tank before leaving Auburn to avoid mid-trip price fluctuations. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace or stop as needed without feeling rushed to reach your destination. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the interstate to the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway to ensure a smooth arrival in Camas.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.3 miles from Auburn, WA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.4 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.3 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camas, 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.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Auburn, WA

This is one driving day of about 156.7 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Auburn, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 133.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 78.3 mi from Auburn, WA · 1h 32m into the drive

Downtown Centralia, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centralia, WA

78 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

Centralia, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.3 miles from Auburn, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.4 miles.

Arriving in Camas, WA

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

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Camas, WA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.89 one way

$65.78 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $34.34 $68.69
premium $5.77 $35.60 $71.21
diesel $5.64 $34.81 $69.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47 0 $16.45 $7.52
Efficient EV 39.2 0 $13.71 $6.27
EV Truck/SUV 62.7 0 $21.94 $10.03

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Auburn, WA

Evening in Auburn on Sunday

Local time

7:18 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Camas, WA

Evening in Camas on Sunday

Local time

7:18 PM

PDT

Current temp

42°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

4 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

3h 6m 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 Camas, WA covers 156.7 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 205, Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.3 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 $32.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 156.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (C Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Auburn, WA to Camas, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center along the way.

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