Pasco, WA to West Lake Stevens, WA is 248.9 miles and takes about 4h 47m via US 97, US 12, and I-82, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, starting in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same region. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single day's travel. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Tri-Cities area to the northern Puget Sound region.
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
124.5 miles from Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
State Route 9
15.1 mi
23m
I 182
11.8 mi
12m
I 405
11.2 mi
13m
WA 522
2.4 mi
2m
Lewis and Clark Trail
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
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 Pasco, WA and West Lake Stevens, 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
101 mi·1 hr 53 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
3.0 mi·3 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward WA 522: Bothell, WoodinvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward WA 522 East: Woodinville
16
Merge onto WA 522
2.4 mi·2 min·WA 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, ArlingtonUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto WA 9
5.7 mi·9 min·State Route 9
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on WA 9
5.3 mi·7 min·State Route 9
20
Enter roundabout onto WA 9
83 ft·1 sec·State Route 9
21
Continue on WA 9
2.8 mi·4 min·State Route 9
Use the straight lane.
22
Enter roundabout onto WA 9
99 ft·1 sec·State Route 9
23
Continue on WA 9
1.2 mi·1 min·State Route 9
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto 4th Street Southeast
396 ft·22 sec·4th Street Southeast
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto 95th Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·95th Drive
26
Turn right onto 96th Drive Southeast
30 ft·1 sec·96th Drive Southeast
27
Arrive at destination
96th Drive Southeast
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under five hours, you can comfortably depart anytime in the morning and reach West Lake Stevens by afternoon. The route is primarily highway, so you'll encounter fewer opportunities for casual stops compared to a rural road trip. Plan for one main stop, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 101.4-mile stretch on US 97, as services might be more spaced out in that section. The $53 fuel estimate should give you a good baseline for budgeting.
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 124.5 miles from Pasco, WA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 17m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Lake Stevens, 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 248.9 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 101.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 229.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
217.8 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
218 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
229.6 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
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 23
Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.15 one way
$110.30 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$57.86
$115.73
premium
$6.08
$59.58
$119.16
diesel
$5.35
$52.43
$104.85
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: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.13
$11.95
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.78
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.85
$15.93
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
NE 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 12:07PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
West Lake Stevens, WA
Afternoon
in West Lake Stevens on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 47m 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 223.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 98% of this 248.9-mile trip on highways, so expect mostly high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 101.4 miles, primarily on US 97. This means you'll have long periods of consistent speed with fewer turns and stops. The transition to surface roads, if any, will likely be minimal and occur only near your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.4 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near I 182; US 12.
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 23 significant decision points across 248.9 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 2.7 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.4 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,563 ft36 ft
Total Climb
3,338 ft
Total Descent
3,356 ft
Highest Point
2,563 ft
~160 mi in
Elevation Range
2,526 ft
Notable High Points
2,373 ft at ~106.7 miles+783 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pasco, WA and West Lake Stevens, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Everett, Bellevue, Woodinville and Arlington.
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 47m. Total distance: 248.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m 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 101.4 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 Stevens, 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 2.7 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.4 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at West Lake Stevens, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
