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Trip from Walla Walla, WA to Auburn, WA

Drive Time

5h 9m

Distance

272.1 mi

438 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 56m ★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 1m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Auburn, WA, WA

Auburn, WA

nicholas hatherly

Trip Overview

The drive from Walla Walla, WA to Auburn, WA covers 272.1 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 12, US 97, I 82 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.8 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.11 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

136.1 miles from Walla Walla, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 9m highway drive covering 272.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 12 and US 97. The longest continuous stretch is about 116.8 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 24 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 116.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.2 miles in near I 182; US 12.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 272.1 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 48.2 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

8
48.2 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 182; US 12

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

Use the straight lane. Toward I 182, US 12
7
161.9 mi into trip | ~3h 1m 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
247.7 mi into trip | ~4h 36m 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
247.9 mi into trip | ~4h 37m 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,...
7
271.7 mi into trip | ~5h 8m in | Auburn Way South

Turn right onto Auburn Way South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Walla Walla, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Yakima

60 mi in | ~1h 10m | via US 12

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

247.9 mi in | ~4h 37m

Tacoma

247.9 mi in | ~4h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 12 116.8 mi 2h 10m
US 97 85.7 mi 1h 35m
I 82 31 mi 33m
State Route 18 23.2 mi 29m
I 182 11.8 mi 12m
West Pine Street 0.9 mi 1m
North 9th Avenue 0.4 mi <1m
Snoqualmie Parkway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 12 — 116.8 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South 5th Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · South 5th Avenue
2

Turn left onto West Rose Street

0.3 mi · 29 sec · West Rose Street
3

Turn right onto WA 125

0.4 mi · 37 sec · North 9th Avenue
4

Turn left onto WA 125

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Pine Street
5

Enter roundabout onto WA 125 Spur

11 ft · 0 sec · Northeast Myra Road
6

Continue on WA 125 Spur

0.2 mi · 10 sec · Northeast Myra Road
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
8

Merge onto US 12

27 mi · 31 min · US 12
9

Keep slight right at fork

287 ft · 3 sec
10

Merge onto US 12

19 mi · 21 min · US 12
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12

12 mi · 12 min · I 182; US 12
Toward I 182, US 12 Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 12

71 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
13

Continue on I 82; US 97

31 mi · 33 min · I 82; US 97
14

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.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17

Merge onto WA 18

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
18

Continue on WA 18

23 mi · 29 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward WA 164 East: Auburn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn right onto Auburn Way South

321 ft · 12 sec · Auburn Way South
Use the right lane.
21

Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Cross Street Southeast
22

Turn right onto A Street Southeast

0.2 mi · 28 sec · A Street Southeast
23

Turn right onto East Main Street

27 ft · 0 sec · East Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

East Main Street

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 136.1 miles from Walla Walla, WA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.8 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 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 136.1 miles or 2h 33m 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 Auburn, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Walla Walla, 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 Walla Walla, WA

This is one driving day of about 272.1 miles and 5h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Walla Walla, 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 116.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 136.1 mi from Walla Walla, WA · 2h 33m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

136 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

Yakima, WA to Auburn, WA

142.5 mi · 2h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

Hermiston, OR

Fuel and coffee

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

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.1 miles from Walla Walla, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.8 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.

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.

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 262.7
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.11 one way

$114.22 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $59.64 $119.27
premium $5.77 $61.82 $123.64
diesel $5.64 $60.45 $120.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.6 1 $28.57 $13.06
Efficient EV 68 0 $23.81 $10.88
EV Truck/SUV 108.8 1 $38.09 $17.41

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Walla Walla, WA

Morning in Walla Walla on Monday

Local time

9:44 AM

PDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Auburn, WA

Morning in Auburn on Monday

Local time

9:44 AM

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

1 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 9m 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 Walla Walla, WA to Auburn, WA covers 272.1 miles and takes about 5h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, US 97, I 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 136.1 miles from Walla Walla, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.11 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 19 significant decision points across 272.1 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 48.2 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.9 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Walla Walla, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

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