Auburn, WA to Five Corners, WA is 144 miles and takes about 2h 48m via I 5, I 205, and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington and travels entirely within the Pacific Coast region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a practical option for getting between these two points efficiently.
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
72 miles from Auburn, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
133.4 mi
2h 31m
I 205
4.2 mi
5m
State Route 18
2.7 mi
3m
Northeast Padden Parkway
1.1 mi
1m
East Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
C Street Southwest
0.2 mi
<1m
Northeast 94th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Northeast 86th Street
<0.1 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 Five Corners, 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
4.2 mi·5 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 32Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Northeast Padden Parkway
1.1 mi·1 min·Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Northeast 94th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·Northeast 94th Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Northeast 86th Street
252 ft·16 sec·Northeast 86th Street
15
Turn left
57 ft·4 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2h 48m drive, leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon will help you avoid peak traffic, especially as you get closer to the Five Corners area. With only 144 miles, you can easily complete this trip in one day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, keeping your $30 fuel budget in mind. Pay attention to the numerous exits on I 5 as you near Five Corners, as this is where you'll need to be most alert for your final turns.
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 72 miles from Auburn, WA, or about 1h 24m 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Five Corners, 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 144 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 142.4 — 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.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
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.
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
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...
7
138.2 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
142.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
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 32
Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.14 one way
$60.28 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$31.61
$63.21
premium
$5.77
$32.70
$65.40
diesel
$5.61
$31.79
$63.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.2
0
$15.12
$6.91
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.60
$5.76
EV Truck/SUV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Auburn, WA
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Five Corners, WA
Late night
in Five Corners on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°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
2 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 48m 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the 144 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 133.4 miles on I 5, which means consistent cruising speeds and frequent, densely packed exits as you approach your destination. The transition to surface roads will occur very late in the trip, offering minimal time on non-highway segments.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 144 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 144 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
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 Five Corners, 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Five Corners, WA before heading back.
