Desert Heat Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Pasco, Washington
Hours: Closed
+15093164671
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
214 mi
344 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pasco, WA
nicholas hatherly
Klahanie, WA
Alok Sharma
Pasco to Klahanie is 214 miles and takes about 4 hours 1 minute via US 97, US 12, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects two points within Washington State, traversing the Pacific Coast region on both ends. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's well-suited for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a no-fuss journey with minimal navigation challenges.
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
107 miles from Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 94.3 mi | 1h 45m |
| US 12 | 70.9 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 82 | 31 mi | 33m |
| I 182 | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Klahanie Drive Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,555 veh/hr typical · worst 2,436
Quietest
2 AM
~112 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Pasco, WA and Klahanie, WA.
Start on North 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Turn left onto North 4th Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
Continue on I 82; US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
Take the exit
Turn right onto East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Turn right onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
Enter roundabout onto Klahanie Drive Southeast
Continue on Klahanie Drive Southeast
Turn left onto 249th Avenue Southeast
Arrive at destination
Given that this 214-mile drive can be completed in just over 4 hours, it's an ideal same-day trip. You have the flexibility to leave Pasco at your leisure, but departing in the morning will allow ample time for any unexpected delays or a brief stop. The longest stretch without a major change in highway is 94.3 miles on US 97, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before embarking on this segment. While there's only one recommended stop, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between US 97 and US 12.
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.
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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Klahanie, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pasco, 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 Pasco, WA
This is one driving day of about 214 miles and 4h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107 miles from Pasco, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop
Pasco, Washington
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: Closed
+15093164671
SpiceRoute - Indian Restaurant
Grandview, Washington
Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
Richland, Washington
Best coffee break · around the midpoint
Ellensburg, Washington
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+15099252327
Near the start, right off the route
Pasco, Washington
Hours: Closed
+15093164671
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Grandview, Washington
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+15092672039
Near the start, short detour
Richland, Washington
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+15092190552
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15094301438
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+15099685441
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Richland, Washington
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+15096282414
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Snoqualmie, Washington
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+14258882556
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+15097836713
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+15099252327
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richland, Washington
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15094204704
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15099251777
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Grandview, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18335052291
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Wapato, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18663003827
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm
+15095854293
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Union Gap, Washington
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+15094578735
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Ellensburg, Washington
+15099253224
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Richland, Washington
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+15094913062
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kennewick, Washington
Hours: 12–4:30 pm
+15095827704
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Union Gap, Washington
Hours: Closed
+15099300432
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Richland, Washington
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+15099401868
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 210.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12 toward I 182, US 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$41.69 one way
$83.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.18 | $43.68 | $87.35 |
| premium | $5.39 | $45.42 | $90.84 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.41 | $80.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.47 | $10.27 |
| Efficient EV | 53.5 | 0 | $18.73 | $8.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.96 | $13.70 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Afternoon in Pasco on Sunday
Local time
12:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Afternoon in Klahanie on Sunday
Local time
12:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 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
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
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.
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.
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways like US 97, US 12, and I 82. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 94.3 miles on US 97, indicating a substantial period of consistent driving on this particular highway. The overall character is one of efficient travel, with less emphasis on winding local roads and more on covering distance. Expect a predictable driving experience as you navigate these well-maintained, high-speed corridors.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Court Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (West Court Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.7 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles (US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
3,191 ft
Total Descent
3,127 ft
Highest Point
2,536 ft
~168.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,149 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pasco, WA to Klahanie, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Yakima
Founded 1891
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 214 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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