Origin
Union Gap, WA
Afternoon in Union Gap on Thursday
Local time
3:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Union Gap, WA to Auburn, WA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 49m
Distance
146.7 mi
236 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Union Gap, WA
Jack Davis
Auburn, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Union Gap, WA to Auburn, WA covers 146.7 miles and takes about 2h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 97, I 82, State Route 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.7 miles on US 97. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.70 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.3 miles from Union Gap, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 146.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 49m highway drive covering 146.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 97 and I 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.7 miles on US 97.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.5 miles in near US 97.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 146.7 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 36.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
36.5 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
7
122.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
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
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
6
146.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward WA 164 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 164 East: Auburn
7
146.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
Auburn Way South
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Union Gap, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
122.4 mi in
|
~2h 17m
Tacoma
122.4 mi in
|
~2h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 85.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 82 | 35.6 mi | 39m |
| State Route 18 | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Rudkin Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Valley Mall Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| A Street Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cross Street Southeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Gap, WA and Auburn, WA.
1
Start on this road
78 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
69 ft
·
7 sec
3
Turn right onto East Ahtanum Road
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Ahtanum Road
4
Turn right onto Main Street
353 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
5
Turn slight right
225 ft
·
8 sec
6
Continue on Rudkin Road
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Rudkin Road
7
Enter roundabout onto East Valley Mall Boulevard
9 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Valley Mall Boulevard
8
Continue on East Valley Mall Boulevard
460 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Valley Mall Boulevard
9
Enter roundabout onto East Valley Mall Boulevard
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Valley Mall Boulevard
10
Continue on East Valley Mall Boulevard
506 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Valley Mall Boulevard
11
Enter roundabout
8 ft
·
0 sec
12
Continue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
13
Merge onto I 82; US 12; US 97
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
I 82; US 12; US 97
14
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 82; US 97
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
US 97
Toward I 90 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
19
Continue on WA 18
23 mi
·
29 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward WA 164 East: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
321 ft
·
12 sec
·
Auburn Way South
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Cross Street Southeast
23
Turn right onto A Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
A Street Southeast
24
Turn right onto East Main Street
27 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Main Street
25
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.3 miles from Union Gap, WA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.3 miles or 1h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
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 Union Gap, 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 Union Gap, WA
This is one driving day of about 146.7 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Union Gap, 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 97 for about 85.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.3 mi from Union Gap, WA · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.3 miles from Union Gap, 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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.70 one way
$61.41 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $32.20 | $64.40 |
| premium | $5.77 | $33.31 | $66.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.39 | $64.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44 | 0 | $15.40 | $7.04 |
| Efficient EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.84 | $5.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.54 | $9.39 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Auburn, WA
Afternoon in Auburn on Thursday
Local time
3:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SSW 5 mph
3% chance
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
10 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
2h 49m 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 Union Gap, WA to Auburn, WA covers 146.7 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, I 82, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.3 miles from Union Gap, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.70 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 146.7 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 36.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Union Gap, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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