Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
147.9 mi
238 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn, WA
Wikimedia Commons
West Valley, WA
Frank Cone
This 147.9-mile drive from Auburn, WA, to West Valley, WA, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-90, US-97, and State Route 18, with 96% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $31 for this excursion. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it’s a straightforward journey perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient transit between these points within the Pacific Coast region.
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
73.9 miles from Auburn, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 97 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| State Route 18 | 23.2 mi | 29m |
| US 12 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| North 66th Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Cowiche Canyon Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North 72nd Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Prospect Way | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, WA and West Valley, WA.
Start on East Main Street
Turn left onto A Street Southeast
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto US 97
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 12
Turn left onto Ackley Road
At end of road, turn left onto West Powerhouse Road
Turn right onto Cowiche Canyon Road
Turn left onto Prospect Way
Continue on North 66th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto Summitview Avenue
Turn left onto North 72nd Avenue
Turn right onto Tieton Drive
Turn left
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this route offers a lot of flexibility for departure times. Aiming for an early start can help you avoid potential traffic, especially on I-90. The single recommended stop is likely sufficient for this relatively short drive, but you can adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town could be around 84.5 miles on I-90, so topping up before that segment is a good idea.
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.
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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 27m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Valley, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 147.9 miles and 2h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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.
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 73.9 miles from Auburn, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 147.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto North 72nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$30.95 one way
$61.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $32.46 | $64.92 |
| premium | $5.77 | $33.59 | $67.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.65 | $65.31 |
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: 51.7 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 | 44.4 | 0 | $15.53 | $7.10 |
| Efficient EV | 37 | 0 | $12.94 | $5.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.71 | $9.47 |
Gas CO2
52 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Auburn on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
Destination
Night in West Valley on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
You'll experience a predominantly highway-focused drive for 96% of this trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.5 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace. While much of the route is on major highways, be prepared for the transition between these high-speed roads, which can offer varied driving experiences. The mix of interstates and state routes provides a generally efficient but engaging journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 147.9 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 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 109.2 miles (US 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 147.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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