Origin
Mukilteo, WA
Afternoon in Mukilteo on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mukilteo, WA to Auburn, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
49.1 mi
79 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 8m
8 AM
1h 19m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mukilteo, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Auburn, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 49.1-mile drive from Mukilteo, WA to Auburn, WA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 8 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Pacific Coast region. The route primarily uses major freeways like I-405 and the Valley Freeway, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find this drive to be efficient, with no overnight stops necessary, and it's well-suited for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 27.2 mi | 33m |
| Valley Freeway | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| Mukilteo Speedway | 7.5 mi | 13m |
| C Street Northwest | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Paine Field Boulevard | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| 15th Street Northwest | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 84th Street Southwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 405
— 27.2 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mukilteo, WA and Auburn, WA.
1
Start on WA 525
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Mukilteo Speedway
2
Turn left onto WA 526
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
84th Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto WA 525 Spur
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Paine Field Boulevard
4
Turn slight left onto WA 525
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Mukilteo Speedway
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on I 405
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
26 mi
·
32 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto WA 167
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward 15th Street Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto 15th Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
15th Street Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto C Street Northwest
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
C Street Northwest
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Main Street
14
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.6 miles from Mukilteo, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 10.1 and 47.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
35.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South
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 2
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue Sou...
7
36.3 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
6
47.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward 15th Street Northwest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 15th Street Northwest
6
47.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
15th Street Northwest
Turn left onto 15th Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.28 one way
$20.55 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $10.78 | $21.55 |
| premium | $5.77 | $11.15 | $22.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.84 | $21.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.16 | $2.36 |
| Efficient EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.30 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Auburn, WA
Afternoon in Auburn on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
SSW 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
7 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
1h 8m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 76% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 27.2 miles on I-405, offering a consistent pace. The route utilizes Mukilteo Speedway and the Valley Freeway, interspersed with the main interstate. While predominantly highway, these roads are designed for efficient travel, so prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.2 mi on I 405.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and Valley Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.1 miles in near I 405.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Mukilteo, WA to Auburn, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Rainier Avenue South along the way.
Rainier Avenue South
35.9 mi in
|
~48m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 49.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.2 miles on I 405. 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 Auburn, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.1 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.3 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Auburn, WA before heading back.
How this page is built
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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