Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Port Townsend, WA to Auburn, WA

Drive Time

2h 12m

Distance

92 mi

148 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Washington, United States

Port Townsend, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in King County, Washington, United States of America

Auburn, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Port Townsend, WA to Auburn, WA covers 92 miles and takes about 2h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Highway 16, State Highway 3 Northeast, Beaver Valley Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.5 miles on State Highway 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.31 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

46 miles from Port Townsend, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 2h 12m highway drive covering 92 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 16 and State Highway 3 Northeast. The longest continuous stretch is about 26.5 miles on State Highway 16.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 16 and State Highway 3 Northeast. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 92 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 77.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
77.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
78.9 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 5 North: Seattle
6
79.3 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
8
87.4 mi into trip | ~2h 5m 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
91.2 mi into trip | ~2h 10m 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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Highway 16 26.5 mi 33m
State Highway 3 Northeast 23.2 mi 31m
Beaver Valley Road 9.1 mi 13m
I 5 8.5 mi 10m
State Route 104 5.1 mi 6m
State Route 18 3.2 mi 4m
Rhody Drive 2.8 mi 5m
Airport Cutoff Road 2.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: State Highway 16 — 26.5 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Townsend, WA and Auburn, WA.

1

Start on Tyler Street

144 ft · 11 sec · Tyler Street
2

Turn left onto Lawrence Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lawrence Street
3

At end of road, turn left onto Kearney Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Kearney Street
4

Enter roundabout onto East Sims Way

13 ft · 0 sec · East Sims Way
5

Continue on East Sims Way

1.5 mi · 3 min · East Sims Way
6

Enter roundabout onto WA 20

113 ft · 2 sec · West Sims Way
7

Continue on WA 20

0.3 mi · 40 sec · West Sims Way
8

Enter roundabout onto WA 20

102 ft · 1 sec · West Sims Way
9

Continue on WA 20

0.4 mi · 47 sec · West Sims Way
10

Continue on WA 20

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Route 20
11

Continue on WA 19

2.2 mi · 3 min · Airport Cutoff Road
12

Continue on WA 19

2.8 mi · 5 min · Rhody Drive
13

Continue on WA 19

9.1 mi · 13 min · Beaver Valley Road
14

Enter roundabout onto WA 104

211 ft · 2 sec · State Route 104
15

Continue on WA 104

4.9 mi · 6 min · State Route 104
16

Enter roundabout onto WA 104

117 ft · 1 sec · State Route 104
17

Continue on WA 104

0.1 mi · 16 sec · State Route 104
18

Continue on WA 104

1.6 mi · 2 min · Hood Canal Floating Bridge
19

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Use the right lane.
20

Merge onto WA 3

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 3 Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on WA 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West
22

Continue on WA 16

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West State Route 16
23

Continue on WA 16

27 mi · 33 min · State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left lane.
26

Merge onto I 5

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 5
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

8.2 mi · 10 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
28

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Merge onto WA 18

3.2 mi · 4 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward C Street Southwest Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

At end of road, turn left onto C Street Southwest

0.3 mi · 48 sec · C Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
32

Turn right onto West Main Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · West Main Street
Use the right lane.
33

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

Trip Plan

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 46 miles from Port Townsend, WA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.5 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 80 miles or 1h 56m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 46 miles or 1h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 49m

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 Port Townsend, 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 Port Townsend, WA

This is one driving day of about 92 miles and 2h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Port Townsend, 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 State Highway 16 for about 26.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 46 mi from Port Townsend, WA · 1h 11m into the drive

city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bremerton, WA

46 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.

Popular next leg

Bremerton, WA to Auburn, WA

45.6 mi · 55m

Pacing Suggestions

Tacoma, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bremerton, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46 miles from Port Townsend, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

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...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour Free near mile 57.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.31 one way

$38.62 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $20.16 $40.33
premium $5.77 $20.90 $41.81
diesel $5.64 $20.44 $40.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.6 0 $9.66 $4.42
Efficient EV 23 0 $8.05 $3.68
EV Truck/SUV 36.8 0 $12.88 $5.89

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Port Townsend, WA

Afternoon in Port Townsend on Monday

Local time

2:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Chance Light Rain

W 8 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Destination

Auburn, WA

Afternoon in Auburn on Monday

Local time

2:56 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

13 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 12m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Port Townsend, WA to Auburn, WA covers 92 miles and takes about 2h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 16, State Highway 3 Northeast, Beaver Valley Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46 miles from Port Townsend, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.31 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 18 significant decision points across 92 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 77.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Port Townsend, WA to Auburn, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Auburn, WA

Spokane Valley, WA 287.8 mi · 4h 28m Spokane, WA 279.5 mi · 5h 12m College Place, WA 270 mi · 5h 7m Pasco, WA 226.8 mi · 4h 16m

More from Port Townsend, WA

Spokane Valley, WA 343.5 mi · 7h 25m Pasco, WA 282.2 mi · 6h 21m Kennewick, WA 281.3 mi · 6h 21m Vancouver, WA 199.6 mi · 4h 11m Yakima, WA 197.9 mi · 4h 49m Renton, WA 103.7 mi · 2h 27m

More trips to Auburn, WA

Clarkston, WA 307.9 mi Liberty Lake, WA 295 mi Spokane Valley, WA 288.2 mi Spokane, WA 279.4 mi Airway Heights, WA 276.4 mi Walla Walla, WA 272.1 mi

Explore more options from Port Townsend, WA or browse trips ending in Auburn, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.

Explore maps for Port Townsend, WA or Auburn, WA on MapSof.net.