Origin
Shelton, WA
Late night in Shelton on Wednesday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shelton, WA to Pasco, WA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 30m
Distance
278.2 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 17m
★
6 AM
5h 31m
8 AM
5h 57m
10 AM
5h 40m
12 PM
5h 37m
3 PM
5h 41m
5 PM
5h 56m
8 PM
5h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shelton, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Pasco, WA
nicholas hatherly
Trip Overview
The drive from Shelton, WA to Pasco, WA covers 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, I 82, I 5 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 157.2 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
139.1 miles from Shelton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 5h 30m highway drive covering 278.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 12 and I 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 157.2 miles on US 12.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 157.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 278.2 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 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.7 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
20.1 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Tumwater, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 South: Tumwater, Portland
5
20.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 5 South: Portland
5
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 12
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
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
8
262.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
|
US 12
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
7
277 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward North 4th Avenue: Pasco City Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13
Toward North 4th Avenue: Pasco City Center
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shelton, WA and Pasco, WA, road signs point toward Portland, Yakima and I‑182 East.
Portland
20.1 mi in
|
~28m
Yakima
55.7 mi in
|
~1h 8m
|
via US 12
I‑182 East
262.6 mi in
|
~5h 11m
|
via US 12
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 157.2 mi | 3h 10m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 5 | 34.9 mi | 39m |
| US 101 | 16.7 mi | 21m |
| Southeast State Route 3 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Olympic Highway South | 1 mi | 1m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North 1st Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 157.2 mi, about 3h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelton, WA and Pasco, WA.
1
Start on North 2nd Street
66 ft
·
4 sec
·
North 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto West Pine Street
307 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Pine Street
3
Turn right onto North 1st Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
4
Turn straight onto WA 3
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Olympic Highway South
5
Continue on WA 3
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Southeast State Route 3
6
Continue on WA 3
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Golden Pheasant Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
1 min
8
Merge onto US 101
17 mi
·
21 min
·
US 101
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tumwater, Portland
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South: Portland
11
Merge onto I 5
35 mi
·
39 min
·
I 5
12
Take the exit onto US 12
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
13
Continue on US 12
119 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
US 12
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 12
23 mi
·
30 min
·
US 12
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 82; US 12
16
Take the exit onto US 12
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 12
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 13
Toward North 4th Avenue: Pasco City Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto North 4th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 4th Avenue
19
Turn right onto Court Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Court Street
20
Turn left onto North 8th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
North 8th Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
North 8th Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 139.1 miles from Shelton, WA, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.2 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.1 miles or 2h 49m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasco, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Shelton, 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 Shelton, WA
This is one driving day of about 278.2 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shelton, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 157.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.1 mi from Shelton, WA · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.1 miles from Shelton, 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.
Arriving in Pasco, WA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.22 one way
$116.45 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $61.06 | $122.12 |
| premium | $5.77 | $63.18 | $126.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.42 | $122.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.21 | $13.35 |
| Efficient EV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.34 | $11.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.3 | 1 | $38.95 | $17.80 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Pasco, WA
Late night in Pasco on Wednesday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°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
8 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
5h 30m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Shelton, WA to Pasco, WA covers 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, I 82, I 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.1 miles from Shelton, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 278.2 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 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 20.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 55.7 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Shelton, WA and Pasco, WA, road signs point toward Portland, Yakima and I‑182 East.
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