Desert Heat Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Pasco, Washington
Hours: Closed
+15093164671
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 47m
Distance
246.6 mi
397 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Graham, WA
nicholas hatherly
Pasco, WA
nicholas hatherly
Graham, WA to Pasco, WA is 246.6 miles and takes about 4h 47m via I 90, I 82, and US 97, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is focused on major highways, making it a straightforward trip across Washington state. You'll transition from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, covering a significant distance efficiently. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, this 1-day journey is a solid option. Be prepared for a predominantly highway experience as you head east.
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
123.3 miles from Graham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 246.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major interstates and highways. You can expect long, uninterrupted stretches, including one that lasts 84.5 miles on I 90. The character of the drive is primarily that of efficient travel on well-maintained roads, designed for covering distance. While not overly technical, the consistent highway pace means you'll be in a driving mindset for much of the 4 hour 47 minute journey. Expect the road surface and environment to remain consistent for the majority of your trip.
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 7.5 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 246.6 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 7.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129 miles (US 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
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
Take the exit toward North 4th Avenue: Pasco City Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Graham, WA to Pasco, WA, road signs begin pointing toward I‑182 East along the way.
I‑182 East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 97 | 37.8 mi | 42m |
| State Route 18 | 24.1 mi | 30m |
| US 12 | 14.5 mi | 15m |
| Valley Freeway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| Meridian Avenue East | 5.8 mi | 11m |
| Meridian East | 1.7 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Graham, WA and Pasco, WA.
Start on 224th Street East
Turn right onto WA 161
Continue on WA 161
Continue on WA 161
Continue on WA 161
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto WA 167
Take the exit
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
Take the exit onto US 12
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North 4th Avenue
Turn right onto Court Street
Turn left onto North 8th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour 47 minute duration, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. With only one suggested stop, you can maintain a consistent pace or make a quick break as needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $52, so ensure your tank is full before departing Graham, WA, as this is a primarily highway route with fewer immediate service areas once you're in full stride. The longest stretch without a break is 84.5 miles on I 90, so plan your refueling accordingly to avoid any low-fuel anxiety.
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 54 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.3 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasco, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Graham, 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 Graham, WA
This is one driving day of about 246.6 miles and 4h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.3 mi from Graham, WA · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
123 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 123.3 miles from Graham, 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.
The final approach into Pasco, 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 Pasco, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Pasco, Washington
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: Closed
+15093164671
Goldan Yan Restaurant
Prosser, Washington
El Valle Family Mexican Restaurant
Sunnyside, Washington
Near the end, right off the route
Pasco, Washington
Hours: Closed
+15093164671
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Prosser, Washington
Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm
+15097863902
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Sunnyside, Washington
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+15098377222
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15094301438
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+15097836713
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15099252327
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Sunnyside, Washington
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+15098392880
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+15095820440
Visit websiteNear the start, ~9 min detour
Federal Way, Washington
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12064605185
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
North Bend, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15099251777
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Yakima, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Wapato, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+15095854293
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 12–4:30 pm
+15095827704
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
+15099253224
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Puyallup, Washington
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+12533879850
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Edgewood, Washington
Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$51.61 one way
$103.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $54.13 | $108.25 |
| premium | $5.77 | $56.00 | $112.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.45 | $108.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74 | 0 | $25.89 | $11.84 |
| Efficient EV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.58 | $9.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 98.6 | 1 | $34.52 | $15.78 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Graham on Friday
Local time
6:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Pasco on Friday
Local time
6:44 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
59°F
Monroe, WA
123 mi in
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
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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