Lynden to Pasco is 322.9 miles and takes about 6h 15m via I-5 and I-90, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day drive covers 322.9 miles and is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward trip across Washington State. You'll start in the Pacific Coast region and end in the same region, traversing diverse landscapes as you move eastward. With a driving time of just over six hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a relaxed pace and minimal overnight stops. Consider this a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
161.4 miles from Lynden, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 5
71.7 mi
1h 24m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
I 405
18 mi
22m
US 12
14.5 mi
15m
Hannegan Road
11.6 mi
19m
East Sunset Drive
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lynden, WA and Pasco, WA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Main Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto 1st Street
0.3 mi·1 min·1st Street
3
Continue on Hannegan Road
7.6 mi·12 min·Hannegan Road
4
Continue on Hannegan Road
101 ft·2 sec·Hannegan Road
5
Keep slight right at fork onto Hannegan Road
4.0 mi·6 min·Hannegan Road
6
Turn right onto WA 542
1.0 mi·2 min·East Sunset Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward I 5 South
8
Merge onto I 5
72 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
17
Take the exit onto US 12
14 mi·15 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, PascoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 13Toward North 4th Avenue: Pasco City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto North 4th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Avenue
20
Turn right onto Court Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Court Street
21
Turn left onto North 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·North 8th Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
North 8th Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 6h 15m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Pasco. The route is mostly highway, so plan for one substantial stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the 322.9-mile distance and a fuel cost estimate of $68, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, especially on the 100.5-mile stretch of I-90. Since it's a single-day trip, flexibility is key; you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule. Pay attention to the transition from I-90 to I-82, as this interchange can be busy.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.4 miles from Lynden, WA, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 71 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.4 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasco, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lynden, 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 Lynden, WA
This is one driving day of about 322.9 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Lynden, 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 90 for about 100.5 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 84.9 and 307.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
8
103.8 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
205.3 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|US 97
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
8
307.3 mi into trip|~5h 56m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
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 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.55 one way
$143.09 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$75.07
$150.14
premium
$6.08
$77.29
$154.59
diesel
$5.35
$68.01
$136.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.9
1
$33.90
$15.50
Efficient EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.92
EV Truck/SUV
129.2
1
$45.21
$20.67
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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 as of May 31, 2026
Origin
Lynden, WA
Evening
in Lynden on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pasco, WA
Evening
in Pasco on Wednesday
Local time
7:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
6h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 100.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, so expect continuous travel on major interstates for most of the 322.9 miles. You'll experience a longest stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final few miles toward your destination. Be prepared for a high volume of passing and merging traffic typical of interstate cruising.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.9 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 322.9 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 84.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,592 ft13 ft
Total Climb
2,814 ft
Total Descent
2,535 ft
Highest Point
2,592 ft
~161.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,579 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lynden, WA and Pasco, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Seattle.
Pasco is a city in the Columbia River Plateau in Washington State, roughly between the Yakima and Snake Rivers on the north bank of the Columbia.
Pasco is one of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Kennewick and Richland. The Tri-Cities are the third most populous metropolitan area in the state, after Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 322.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Pasco, 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 84.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pasco, WA before the return drive.
