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Create accountDrive Time
5h 5m
Distance
259.8 mi
418 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Pasco, WA
nicholas hatherly
If you are planning to travel from Olympia to Pasco, you are looking at a 259.8-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 5 minutes. Because this drive is highway-focused and straightforward, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip. You will primarily navigate via I-5, US 12, and I-82 to complete the transit. Expect to budget approximately $55 for fuel to cover the distance. This route keeps you within Washington state, transitioning from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior. It is an efficient, practical way to cross the state without needing an overnight stay.
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
129.9 miles from Olympia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
This trip is heavily prioritized for speed, with 99% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on US 12, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 157.2 miles. While the drive is characterized by its interstate-focused nature, the transition between these major arteries keeps the pace consistent. You should prepare for a focused, steady experience behind the wheel rather than a winding backroad adventure. The route provides a reliable, high-speed connection that makes moving across the state feel direct and purposeful.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 82. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 11th Avenue Southeast.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 259.8 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (11th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (14th Avenue Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 37.3 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 11th Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
Between Olympia, WA and Pasco, WA, road signs point toward Yakima and I‑182 East.
Yakima
I‑182 East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 157.2 mi | 3h 10m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 5 | 36.1 mi | 40m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 14th Avenue Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 11th Avenue Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Jefferson Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Olympia, WA and Pasco, WA.
Start on Capitol Way South
Turn right onto 11th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Jefferson Street Southeast
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Continue on 14th Avenue Southeast
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit onto US 12
Continue on US 12
Continue on US 12
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
Since the drive is roughly 5 hours, leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach your destination with daylight to spare. You only need to plan for one major stop to break up the journey, which helps keep your travel time efficient. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 157.2-mile stretch on US 12, as this is the most critical segment for maintaining your momentum. Because the route is so compact, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Prioritize consistent pacing to make the most of this highway-centric transit.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.9 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasco, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 259.8 miles and 5h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.9 mi from Olympia, WA · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 129.9 miles from Olympia, 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 157.2 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$54.53 one way
$109.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $56.94 | $113.88 |
| premium | $5.77 | $59.03 | $118.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.72 | $115.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.9 | 0 | $27.28 | $12.47 |
| Efficient EV | 65 | 0 | $22.73 | $10.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.9 | 1 | $36.37 | $16.63 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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 Olympia on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
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 Pasco on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
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
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.
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