Origin
Auburn, WA
Evening in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn, WA to College Place, WA
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
270 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, WA
nicholas hatherly
College Place, WA
david hou
Trip Overview
Traveling from Auburn to College Place covers 270 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete it in a single day, though staying alert is key for the duration. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to cover the distance. The route transitions you across the state using a combination of I-90, I-82, and US-12. Whether you are heading out for a weekend visit or a longer relocation, the drive is straightforward and efficient. Given the time commitment, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and keep your energy levels up.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
135 miles from Auburn, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 98% of your journey stays on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-90, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 84.5 miles. The character of the drive is consistent and functional, designed for making steady progress across the state rather than winding through technical local roads. As you shift from I-90 to I-82 and eventually US-12, the experience remains focused on maintained interstate and highway driving. You will find that the rhythm of the road is predictable, allowing you to settle into a comfortable cruising speed for the majority of the trip.
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 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 84.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 Cross Street Southeast.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 270 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 (Cross Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cross Street Southeast
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 18 East
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
109.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
8
211.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
|
US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
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 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Towns Along This Route
Between Auburn, WA and College Place, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
I‑182 East
211.2 mi in
|
~3h 57m
|
via US 12
Pasco
211.2 mi in
|
~3h 57m
|
via US 12
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 12 | 54.8 mi | 1h 2m |
| US 97 | 37.8 mi | 42m |
| State Route 18 | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| Wallula Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Old Highway 12 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North College Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, WA and College Place, WA.
1
Start on East Main Street
27 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto A Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
A Street Southeast
3
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Cross Street Southeast
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Auburn Way South
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 18 East
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto WA 18
23 mi
·
29 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
9
Merge onto I 90
85 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi
·
42 min
·
US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 82; US 12
12
Take the exit onto US 12
55 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 12
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto Spalding Road
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Spalding Road
14
Turn left onto Old Highway 12
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Highway 12
15
Turn right onto Wallula Avenue
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Wallula Avenue
16
Enter roundabout
17 ft
·
0 sec
17
Continue
103 ft
·
4 sec
18
Continue on North College Avenue
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North College Avenue
19
At end of road, turn right onto North College Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North College Avenue
20
Turn left onto East Whitman Drive
61 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Whitman Drive
21
Arrive at destination
East Whitman Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion near Auburn. Since this is a highway-heavy route, your primary focus should be on managing fatigue; plan for at least one substantial break to refresh. Because the trip is a manageable single-day effort, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon travel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the major interstates, and ensure you have that $57 budget set aside. A helpful tip for this specific corridor is to check real-time traffic reports before you leave, as the high volume of highway miles means even minor incidents can influence your total travel time.
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 135 miles from Auburn, WA, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Place, 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 270 miles and 5h 7m.
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 90 for about 84.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135 mi from Auburn, WA · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135 miles from Auburn, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 miles.
Arriving in College Place, WA
The final approach into College Place, 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 College Place, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.67 one way
$113.34 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $59.18 | $118.35 |
| premium | $5.77 | $61.35 | $122.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.98 | $119.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81 | 0 | $28.35 | $12.96 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108 | 1 | $37.80 | $17.28 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
College Place, WA
Evening in College Place on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 College Place, WA covers 270 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 82, US 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135 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 $56.67 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 270 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 (Cross Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Auburn, WA and College Place, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
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