This 270.4-mile journey from Mount Vernon, WA to Pasco, WA is manageable as a single day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes. You'll navigate using local roads like East Fulton Street, North 4th Street, and South 2nd Street, with a 0% highway share. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $57. This route offers a turn-heavy local experience, making it a more involved drive than a simple interstate cruise. With one planned stop, it's designed for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
141.1 miles from Mount Vernon, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
I 5
42.9 mi
50m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
I 405
18 mi
22m
US 12
14.5 mi
15m
North 4th Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
South 2nd Street
0.3 mi
<1m
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 Mount Vernon, WA and Pasco, WA.
1
Start on North 5th Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·North 5th Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Fulton Street
276 ft·14 sec·East Fulton Street
3
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·North 4th Street
4
Continue on WA 99
0.3 mi·44 sec·South 2nd Street
5
Turn left onto West Kincaid Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Kincaid Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
7
Merge onto I 5
43 mi·50 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 13Toward North 4th Avenue: Pasco City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto North 4th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Avenue
19
Turn right onto Court Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Court Street
20
Turn left onto North 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·North 8th Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
North 8th Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 270.4-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the route. With a duration of 4 hours and 25 minutes and only one recommended stop, pacing yourself is key. Plan your single stop strategically to break up the drive comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local driving can sometimes consume fuel more quickly than highway cruising, and the estimated cost is $57. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads – East Fulton Street, North 4th Street, and South 2nd Street – beforehand, as frequent turns mean you'll be relying on them heavily.
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 141.1 miles from Mount Vernon, WA, or about 2h 45m 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.1 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
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 Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, WA
This is one driving day of about 282.1 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 44.1 and 266.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
44.1 mi into trip|~53m 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
63 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
164.5 mi into trip|~3h 11m 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
266.5 mi into trip|~5h 2m 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
$54.95 one way
$109.91 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$57.58
$115.15
premium
$5.39
$59.87
$119.75
diesel
$4.80
$53.27
$106.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.6
1
$29.62
$13.54
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
EV Truck/SUV
112.8
1
$39.49
$18.05
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Mount Vernon, WA
Late night
in Mount Vernon on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
SSW 1 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Pasco, WA
Late night
in Pasco on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
SW 3 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
10 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
5h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 58.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 4-hour, 25-minute trip, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be actively navigating through towns and local streets rather than cruising on high-speed freeways. The route is characterized by frequent turns, requiring your attention throughout the 270.4 miles. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a consistent need to adjust your course. This isn't a monotonous drive; it's one where you'll be constantly engaged with the road and your surroundings.
98% 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: 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 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.1 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 282.1 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 44.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,640 ft98 ft
Total Climb
3,497 ft
Total Descent
3,208 ft
Highest Point
2,640 ft
~120.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,543 ft
Notable High Points
2,640 ft at ~120.9 miles+729 ft prominence
2,138 ft at ~181.4 miles+609 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Mount Vernon, WA and Pasco, WA, road signs point toward Renton, Seattle and I‑182 East.
Mount Vernon is a city in the Northwest Washington region of Washington State, the county seat of Skagit County. It is in the heart of Skagit Valley and home to the yearly Tulip Festival.
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 5h 21m. Total distance: 282.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m 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 100.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
