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Create accountDrive Time
5h 5m
Distance
259.1 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
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
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Spanning 259.1 miles across Washington, this trip from Pasco to Olympia is a straightforward journey typically taking 5 hours and 5 minutes. You will primarily utilize US 12, I-182, and the Lewis and Clark Trail to navigate between these two points. Because the total drive time is manageable, most travelers can complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $54 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since both locations are situated within the Pacific Coast region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout your transit. It is a highly practical route if you value efficiency and a direct path to your destination.
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
129.6 miles from Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You should prepare for a significant amount of time behind the wheel, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 242.4 miles on US 12. While the route is efficient, the lack of frequent turns means you will be maintaining highway speeds for the majority of the duration. Transitioning from the I-182 corridor onto the Lewis and Clark Trail provides a consistent driving experience across the state. Expect a steady, predictable pace that allows you to cover ground quickly while navigating the primary thoroughfares of the region.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
3,907 ft
Total Descent
4,197 ft
Highest Point
3,787 ft
~140.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,690 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 182. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Court Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 259.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 0.1 miles (West Court Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; 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 14.5 miles (US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
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 right at fork onto US 12 toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 west, North 1st Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward US 12 West: Naches, White Pass
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Pasco, WA and Olympia, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, 1St Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches and White Pass.
Yakima
1St Street: White Pass
Chinook Pass
Naches
White Pass
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 242.4 mi | 4h 42m |
| I 182 | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Capitol Boulevard Southeast | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Capitol Way Southeast | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North 8th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pasco, WA and Olympia, 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
Take the exit onto US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Take the exit onto US 12
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto E Street Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Boulevard Southeast
Continue on Capitol Way Southeast
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour and 5-minute trek, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic near urban centers. Since the route includes only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with the midpoint of your drive to keep fatigue at bay. Given that you will spend nearly the entire trip on highways, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Pasco to avoid unnecessary detours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $54 estimate can fluctuate based on current market rates and your specific driving habits. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use that single planned stop to stretch your legs and reset for the final leg of the journey.
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 129.6 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 4h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olympia, 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 259.1 miles and 5h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.6 mi from Pasco, WA · 2h 30m 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 129.6 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 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 242.4 miles.
The final approach into Olympia, 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 Olympia, 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
$54.38 one way
$108.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $56.79 | $113.58 |
| premium | $5.77 | $58.87 | $117.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.56 | $115.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 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 | 77.7 | 0 | $27.21 | $12.44 |
| Efficient EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.67 | $10.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.27 | $16.58 |
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 Pasco on Sunday
Local time
8:13 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
Destination
Evening in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
8:13 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
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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