Origin
Olympia, WA
Evening in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Olympia, WA to Auburn, WA
Drive Time
54m
Distance
41.4 mi
67 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 55m
8 AM
1h 4m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Auburn, WA
nicholas hatherly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transition between Olympia and Auburn, Washington, you are looking at a manageable 41.4-mile trek. Expect to spend about 54 minutes behind the wheel, making this a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your journey will primarily utilize I-5, State Route 18, and Union Avenue Southeast to navigate through the Pacific Coast region. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is quite economical for a solo driver or a small group. This drive serves as a highly efficient connector, prioritizing speed and directness over a meandering scenic route. It is the perfect choice if your main goal is simply getting from point A to point B without unnecessary complications.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
20.7 miles from Olympia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 93% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-5, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.5 miles. While the initial portion of the drive offers a consistent interstate pace, the transition onto State Route 18 shifts the feel of the road as you head toward Auburn. Because the route is so heavily dominated by major highways, you can anticipate a steady, predictable flow of traffic. The lack of required stops means you can maintain a steady rhythm throughout the entire 54-minute duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 35.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near I 5.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 41.4 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 1.4 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
36.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
6
40.6 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward C Street Southwest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward C Street Southwest
6
41.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
West Main Street
Turn right onto West Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Olympia, WA to Auburn, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
Muckleshoot Reservation
36.8 mi in
|
~47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 35.5 mi | 44m |
| State Route 18 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Union Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| C Street Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Plum Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Way South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 35.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olympia, WA and Auburn, WA.
1
Start on Capitol Way South
396 ft
·
12 sec
·
Capitol Way South
2
Turn right onto Union Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Union Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto Plum Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Plum Street Southeast
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto I 5
27 mi
·
34 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto WA 18
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward C Street Southwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto C Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
C Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Main Street
Use the right lane.
12
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, sub-one-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the heavy reliance on I-5, checking local traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid potential congestion on the main highway corridor. You do not need to worry about complex fuel planning, as the $9 cost is easily manageable for most vehicles. Use the drive’s brevity to your advantage by planning your errands or arrivals in Auburn without the need for intermediate rest stops. A great way to prepare is to ensure your navigation is set for the transition from I-5 to State Route 18 well in advance, as this is the primary junction where your route changes character.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 20.7 miles from Olympia, WA, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.5 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 41.4 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.7 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 45m
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 Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA
This is one driving day of about 41.4 miles and 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Olympia, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 35.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.7 mi from Olympia, WA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.7 miles from Olympia, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.69 one way
$17.38 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $9.07 | $18.15 |
| premium | $5.77 | $9.41 | $18.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.20 | $18.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.35 | $1.99 |
| Efficient EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.62 | $1.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.80 | $2.65 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Auburn, WA
Evening in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
8:53 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
2 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
54m 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 Olympia, WA to Auburn, WA covers 41.4 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, State Route 18, Union Avenue Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.7 miles from Olympia, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.69 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 41.4 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 1.4 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 36.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Olympia, WA to Auburn, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
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