Spanning 156.7 miles, this route from Auburn to Camas is a straightforward journey through Washington's Pacific Coast region. You can expect to spend approximately 3 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for roughly $33 in fuel costs for the one-way trek. By primarily utilizing I-5, I-205, and the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, you stay connected to the state's main arterial road network. It is a practical, efficient path that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick getaway, this drive offers a reliable way to navigate between these two Washington hubs.
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
78.3 miles from Auburn, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
133.4 mi
2h 31m
I 205
10.1 mi
13m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.5 mi
6m
State Route 18
2.7 mi
3m
Northwest 6th Avenue
1 mi
2m
WA 14 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
Northeast 3rd Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 133.4 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, WA and Camas, WA.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto C Street Southwest
0.2 mi·21 sec·C Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward WA 18 WestUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto WA 18
2.7 mi·3 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
8
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
10 mi·13 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Camas, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward WA 14 East: CamasUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto WA 14
5.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto WA 14 Business
0.3 mi·36 sec·WA 14 Business
Exit 12Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 14 Business
0.1 mi·15 sec·WA 14 Business
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, CamasUse the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto WA 14 Business
119 ft·2 sec·Northwest 6th Avenue
17
Continue on WA 14 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·Northwest 6th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn slight right
116 ft·4 sec
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto WA 14 Business
0.1 mi·30 sec·Northeast Adams Street
20
Continue on WA 14 Business
0.3 mi·1 min·Northeast 3rd Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
WA 14 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 6-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on I-5, which can significantly impact your travel time. Planning for at least one stop is a smart way to break up the long 133.4-mile stretch of interstate, helping you stay alert behind the wheel. Since fuel costs will run you about $33, consider topping off your tank before leaving Auburn to avoid mid-trip price fluctuations. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace or stop as needed without feeling rushed to reach your destination. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the interstate to the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway to ensure a smooth arrival in Camas.
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 78.3 miles from Auburn, WA, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.4 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 32m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Camas, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Auburn, 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 Auburn, WA
This is one driving day of about 156.7 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Auburn, 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 I 5 for about 133.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 155.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|C Street Southwest
Turn left onto C Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
4 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
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 27
Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
8
154.7 mi into trip|~3h 1m in|WA 14 Business
Take the exit onto WA 14 Business toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center
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 12
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center
8
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|WA 14 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 14 Business toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Northwest 6th Avenue, City Center, Camas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.80 one way
$65.59 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$34.39
$68.79
premium
$5.77
$35.58
$71.17
diesel
$5.61
$34.60
$69.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47
0
$16.45
$7.52
Efficient EV
39.2
0
$13.71
$6.27
EV Truck/SUV
62.7
0
$21.94
$10.03
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Auburn, WA
Night
in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Camas, WA
Night
in Camas on Saturday
Local time
9:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
3 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
3h 6m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed infrastructure, with 94% of your journey taking place on major highways. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm early on, as the route features a 133.4-mile stretch primarily on I-5. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is consistent and predictable rather than technical or meandering. As you transition from the interstate onto I-205 and finally the Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, the pace remains brisk. Expect a straightforward interstate grind that allows you to cover significant ground quickly without the need for complex navigation or constant gear shifting.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near C Street Southwest.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 156.7 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 0.2 miles (C Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Auburn, WA to Camas, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center along the way.
City Center
148.2 mi in|~2h 52m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 156.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.4 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Camas, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (C Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Camas, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
