Origin
College Place, WA
Evening in College Place on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from College Place, WA to Auburn, WA
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
269.7 mi
434 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 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
College Place, WA
david hou
Auburn, WA
nicholas hatherly
Trip Overview
Traveling from College Place to Auburn covers 269.7 miles, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 7 minutes. Because this route is almost entirely highway-focused, it is well-suited for a single-day trip if you are comfortable with a full day of driving. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to complete the transit across Washington. The path utilizes a combination of US 12, US 97, and I-82 to navigate the state efficiently. While an overnight stay isn't strictly necessary, having the flexibility to stop once along the way can make the experience much more manageable. Overall, this is a practical, direct transit route that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads.
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
134.9 miles from College Place, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit experience, as 99% of this trip is spent on major highways. You will find yourself cruising through consistent highway stretches, including a significant 112.6-mile segment along US 12 which stands as your longest uninterrupted stretch. The road feel is distinctly focused on steady, high-speed travel rather than technical turns or local maneuvering. As you transition between the various highway segments, the pace remains largely uniform, allowing you to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel. It is a functional, highway-heavy drive designed to get you from the southeastern part of the state to the Auburn area with minimal deviations.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 112.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.8 miles in near I 182; US 12.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 269.7 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 45.8 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
45.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 182; US 12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12 toward I 182, US 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 182, US 12
7
159.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 West
7
245.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
245.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
7
269.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m in
|
Auburn Way South
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between College Place, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Yakima
57.6 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via US 12
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
245.5 mi in
|
~4h 35m
Tacoma
245.5 mi in
|
~4h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 112.6 mi | 2h 5m |
| US 97 | 85.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 82 | 31 mi | 33m |
| State Route 18 | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| I 182 | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| Wallula Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Old Highway 12 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North College Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 112.6 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between College Place, WA and Auburn, WA.
1
Start on East Whitman Drive
61 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Whitman Drive
2
Turn right onto North College Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North College Avenue
3
Turn left
174 ft
·
7 sec
4
Continue on North College Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North College Avenue
5
Enter roundabout
88 ft
·
2 sec
6
Continue
137 ft
·
6 sec
7
Continue on Wallula Avenue
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Wallula Avenue
8
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 12
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Highway 12
9
Turn right onto Spalding Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Spalding Road
10
Turn left onto US 12
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US 12
11
Keep slight right at fork
287 ft
·
3 sec
12
Merge onto US 12
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 12
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 182; US 12
Toward I 182, US 12
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
15
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 82; US 97
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 97
Toward I 90 West
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
20
Continue on WA 18
23 mi
·
29 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward WA 164 East: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
321 ft
·
12 sec
·
Auburn Way South
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Cross Street Southeast
24
Turn right onto A Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
A Street Southeast
Use the none lane.
25
Turn right onto East Main Street
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour trek, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Auburn region. Since the route only requires one stop, choose a location that aligns with your personal energy levels, perhaps near the midpoint of the journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 112.6-mile stretch on US 12, where service availability may be more limited than on the interstate portions. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, don't feel pressured to rush the drive; the flexibility of a single-day trip allows you to adjust your speed and rest intervals as needed. Always check the status of US 12 and I-82 before heading out to ensure your travel remains smooth.
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 134.9 miles from College Place, WA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.6 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 134.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving College Place, 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 College Place, WA
This is one driving day of about 269.7 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from College Place, 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 US 12 for about 112.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.9 mi from College Place, WA · 2h 32m 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 134.9 miles from College Place, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.6 miles.
Arriving in Auburn, WA
The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, 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
$56.61 one way
$113.21 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $59.11 | $118.22 |
| premium | $5.77 | $61.28 | $122.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.92 | $119.84 |
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: 94.4 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 | 80.9 | 0 | $28.32 | $12.95 |
| Efficient EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.60 | $10.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.9 | 1 | $37.76 | $17.26 |
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
Auburn, WA
Evening in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°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 warmer 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 College Place, WA to Auburn, WA covers 269.7 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 US 12, US 97, I 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.9 miles from College Place, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.61 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 18 significant decision points across 269.7 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 45.8 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between College Place, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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