Origin
White Center, WA
Night in White Center on Sunday
Local time
10:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from White Center, WA to Auburn, WA
Drive Time
33m
Distance
22.8 mi
37 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
White Center, WA
Tara Winstead
Auburn, WA
nicholas hatherly
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection between White Center and Auburn, this 22.8-mile drive is a straightforward transit option. You can expect the journey to take roughly 33 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an economical route that stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Because of the short duration, there is no need to plan for overnight stops or extensive logistics. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of local errands, the simplicity of this trip allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
11.4 miles from White Center, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 63% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend a significant portion of your time navigating West Marginal Way South and WA 599 before transitioning onto the Valley Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Valley Freeway, where you will cover 10 miles of pavement. While the drive is functional rather than scenic, the transition from local corridors to major highways keeps the pace steady. It is a no-nonsense, efficient path that prioritizes speed over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Valley Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 10 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Valley Freeway and West Marginal Way South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 22.8 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way
9
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way, Transfer Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way, Transfer...
7
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North: Renton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 154A
Toward I 405 North: Renton
8
9.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
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 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
8
10.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 South: Kent, Auburn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 167 South: Kent, Auburn
Towns Along This Route
Between White Center, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Transfer Station and 15Th Street Northwest.
Transfer Station
1.9 mi in
|
~4m
15Th Street Northwest
20.7 mi in
|
~28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Freeway | 10 mi | 12m |
| West Marginal Way South | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| WA 599 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| I 405 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| C Street Northwest | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| I 5 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Roxbury Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Olson Place Southwest | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Valley Freeway
— 10 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between White Center, WA and Auburn, WA.
1
Start on Southwest Roxbury Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Roxbury Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn slight left onto Olson Place Southwest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Olson Place Southwest
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward WA 509 North: Seattle
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto WA 509
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
WA 509
5
Take the exit
494 ft
·
12 sec
Toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way, Transfer Station
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto WA 99
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Marginal Way South
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on WA 599
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 599
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 154A
Toward I 405 North: Renton
Use the slight left lane.
12
Continue on I 405
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Kent, Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto WA 167
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward 15th Street Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto 15th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
15th Street Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn right onto C Street Northwest
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
C Street Northwest
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Main Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 33-minute drive, you have the advantage of total scheduling freedom. You won't need to worry about complex rest stops or fuel planning, as $5 should cover your gas needs easily. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on major roadways, so monitor traffic reports before departing to avoid potential congestion on the Valley Freeway. Because there are zero required stops on this 22.8-mile stretch, you can easily complete the trip in one go. If you are prone to fatigue, remember that the quick nature of this route means you will reach your destination in Auburn before you even have a chance to settle in.
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 11.4 miles from White Center, WA, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10 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 22.8 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.4 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
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 White Center, 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 White Center, WA
This is one driving day of about 22.8 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from White Center, 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 Valley Freeway for about 10 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.4 mi from White Center, WA · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 22.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.4 miles from White Center, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.79 one way
$9.57 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $5.00 | $9.99 |
| premium | $5.77 | $5.18 | $10.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.07 | $10.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
| Efficient EV | 5.7 | 0 | $1.99 | $0.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.19 | $1.46 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Night in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
10:26 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
4 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
33m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from White Center, WA to Auburn, WA covers 22.8 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Valley Freeway, West Marginal Way South, WA 599. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.4 miles from White Center, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.79 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 17 significant decision points across 22.8 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 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between White Center, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Transfer Station and 15Th Street Northwest.
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