Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
3h 7m
Distance
150.5 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, WA
nicholas hatherly
East Wenatchee, WA
JOHN CALLERY
The drive from Auburn, WA to East Wenatchee, WA covers 150.5 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, US 97, State Route 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.8 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.59 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.3 miles from Auburn, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 150.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US 97. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.8 miles on I 90.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,768 ft
Total Descent
1,135 ft
Highest Point
2,750 ft
~50.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,304 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 150.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.6 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Cle Elum, Leavenworth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
At end of road, turn right onto WA 970
Navigation decision point
Between Auburn, WA and East Wenatchee, WA, road signs point toward Cle Elum and Leavenworth.
Cle Elum
Leavenworth
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 59.8 mi | 1h 6m |
| US 97 | 35.2 mi | 44m |
| State Route 18 | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| US 2 | 16.6 mi | 22m |
| WA 970 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
| Sunset Highway | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| A Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Auburn Way South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, WA and East Wenatchee, WA.
Start on East Main Street
Turn left onto A Street Southeast
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Turn left onto WA 970
At end of road, turn right onto WA 970
Take the exit onto WA 970
Continue on US 97
Take the exit onto US 97
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97
Continue on US 2; US 97
Turn right onto WA 28
Turn left onto 9th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 75.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Wenatchee, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 150.5 miles and 3h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.3 mi from Auburn, WA · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 75.3 miles from Auburn, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into East Wenatchee, 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 East Wenatchee, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$31.59 one way
$63.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $32.99 | $65.97 |
| premium | $5.77 | $34.19 | $68.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.44 | $66.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.80 | $7.22 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.17 | $6.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.07 | $9.63 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
7:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Patchy Fog
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 8:35PM PDT until April 13 at 5:39AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Evening in East Wenatchee on Sunday
Local time
7:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 8:35PM PDT until April 13 at 5:39AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Auburn, WA or browse trips ending in East Wenatchee, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Auburn, WA or East Wenatchee, WA on MapSof.net.