Origin
Pasco, WA
Evening in Pasco on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
4h 40m
Distance
242.9 mi
391 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
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.
Pasco, WA
nicholas hatherly
Fircrest, WA
Alex Stone
Traveling from Pasco to Fircrest covers 242.9 miles of Washington state, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 97, US 12, and I-82, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of the time. Budgeting around $51 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, you can expect a consistent atmosphere as you transition across the state. This route offers a reliable, no-nonsense path for travelers who value efficiency over complex detours.
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
121.4 miles from Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, as the route is designed for consistent progress rather than technical maneuvering. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 97, where you will cover 85.7 miles without needing to navigate major turns or junctions. Expect a blend of interstate speed and highway cruising that keeps travel times predictable. Whether you are passing through the open stretches or merging onto the larger freeways, the infrastructure is built to prioritize a smooth, high-speed experience.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 182; US 12.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 242.9 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 2.7 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Fircrest, Center Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Pasco, WA and Fircrest, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Yakima
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
Tacoma
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 85.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 12 | 70.9 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 82 | 31 mi | 33m |
| State Route 18 | 26.7 mi | 34m |
| I 182 | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| I 5 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| WA 16 | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pasco, WA and Fircrest, WA.
Start on North 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Turn left onto North 4th Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
Continue on I 82; US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto WA 16
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto Center Street
Continue on Regents Boulevard
Continue on Regents Boulevard
Turn left onto Alameda Avenue
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 40-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is almost entirely highway-based, check traffic patterns on I-82 before you depart to avoid potential congestion. Aiming for an early morning departure often helps you clear the longest stretches of the road before mid-day travel volume peaks. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 85.7-mile stretch on US 97, as finding services can be less frequent compared to the more urbanized segments of the trip. The flexibility of a one-day itinerary means you can easily adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fircrest, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pasco, 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 Pasco, WA
This is one driving day of about 242.9 miles and 4h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.4 mi from Pasco, WA · 2h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 121.4 miles from Pasco, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.7 miles.
The final approach into Fircrest, 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 Fircrest, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$50.98 one way
$101.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $53.24 | $106.47 |
| premium | $5.77 | $55.19 | $110.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.96 | $107.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.50 | $11.66 |
| Efficient EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.25 | $9.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.2 | 1 | $34.01 | $15.55 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Pasco on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Fircrest on Sunday
Local time
8:14 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
121 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.
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