Pasco, WA to West Lake Sammamish, WA is 215.1 miles and takes about 4 hours via US 97, US 12, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect a practical, no-frills transit between these two points.
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
107.5 miles from Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
97.7 mi
1h 49m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
I 182
11.8 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Trail
1.3 mi
1m
North 4th Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
0.4 mi
1m
West Court Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,098 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,952
Quietest
2 AM
~123 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Pasco, WA and West Lake Sammamish, WA.
1
Start on North 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·North 8th Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·West Court Street
3
Turn left onto North 4th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 4th Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
5
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
1.3 mi·1 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
12 mi·12 min·I 182; US 12
Toward I 182, US 12Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
8
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
98 mi·1 hr 49 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 13Toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Boulevard SoutheastUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
115 ft·3 sec·West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
249 ft·8 sec·West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
13
Enter roundabout onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
105 ft·2 sec·West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
14
Continue on West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
0.3 mi·54 sec·West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
15
Turn right onto 177th Avenue Southeast
350 ft·18 sec·177th Avenue Southeast
16
Turn right onto Southeast 40th Place
236 ft·10 sec·Southeast 40th Place
17
Arrive at destination
Southeast 40th Place
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. Since it's a relatively short trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97.7-mile stretch on US 97, as services might be less frequent. The $46 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Plan to refuel before you hit that longest stretch to be safe.
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 107.5 miles from Pasco, WA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.5 miles or 1h 59m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Lake Sammamish, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 215.1 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Pasco, 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 US 97 for about 97.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 214.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West Court Street
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in|I 182; US 12
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
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 182, US 12
6
14.5 mi into trip|~17m in|US 12
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
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
7
116.4 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
8
214.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
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 13
Toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Bo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.66 one way
$95.32 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$50.01
$100.01
premium
$6.08
$51.49
$102.98
diesel
$5.35
$45.31
$90.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.5
0
$22.59
$10.32
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.82
$8.60
EV Truck/SUV
86
1
$30.11
$13.77
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Pasco, WA
Afternoon
in Pasco on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 1 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued June 3 at 1:58AM PDT until June 4 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 12:07PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
West Lake Sammamish, WA
Afternoon
in West Lake Sammamish on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Cloudy
S 7 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued June 3 at 1:58AM PDT until June 4 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 12:07PM 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
4 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
4h 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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 215.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 99% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 215.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 97.7 miles, primarily on US 97. You'll experience consistent cruising with minimal detours onto surface streets. Expect frequent exits and entrances as you navigate between the major highways.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. You will hit about 12 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.
Driving Effort6/10
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 215.1 miles you will encounter 12 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,582 ft64 ft
Total Climb
3,368 ft
Total Descent
3,691 ft
Highest Point
2,582 ft
~169 mi in
Elevation Range
2,518 ft
Notable High Points
2,521 ft at ~107.5 miles+961 ft prominence
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 Pasco, WA to West Lake Sammamish, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Yakima
14.5 mi in|~17m|via US 12
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 4h. Total distance: 215.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 West Lake Sammamish, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at West Lake Sammamish, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
