Richland to Auburn is 202.6 miles and takes about 4h 6m via I 90 and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive connects the Pacific Coast region of Washington state, taking you from the eastern side of the state towards the western side. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll encounter a mix of landscapes as you traverse the state, with most of the miles covered on major interstates. Plan for a relatively quick transit with minimal fuss.
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
101.3 miles from Richland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
112.3 mi
2h 2m
Vantage Highway
48.1 mi
1h 2m
State Route 18
23.2 mi
29m
State Route 243
14.3 mi
21m
Stevens Drive
1.2 mi
3m
WA 26
1 mi
1m
Jadwin Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 112.3 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,108
Quietest
2 AM
~99 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
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 Richland, WA and Auburn, WA.
1
Start on Williams Boulevard
111 ft·7 sec·Williams Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Stevens Drive
1.2 mi·3 min·Stevens Drive
3
Turn right onto Catskill Street
285 ft·14 sec·Catskill Street
4
Turn left onto WA 240 Bus
0.3 mi·45 sec·Jadwin Avenue
5
Continue on WA 240
8.3 mi·11 min·Vantage Highway
6
Turn slight left
119 ft·2 sec
7
Enter roundabout
105 ft·1 sec
8
Continue
247 ft·4 sec
9
Turn straight onto WA 240
40 mi·50 min·Vantage Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto WA 243
86 ft·1 sec·State Route 243
Toward Vantage
11
Continue on WA 243
14 mi·21 min·State Route 243
Toward Vantage
12
At end of road, turn left onto WA 26
1.0 mi·1 min·WA 26
13
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
14
Merge onto I 90
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
18
Continue on WA 18
23 mi·29 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 164 East: AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
321 ft·12 sec·Auburn Way South
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
0.1 mi·20 sec·Cross Street Southeast
22
Turn right onto A Street Southeast
0.2 mi·28 sec·A Street Southeast
23
Turn right onto East Main Street
27 ft·0 sec·East Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed. Departing Richland in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, should get you to Auburn by early afternoon, leaving plenty of time for onward travel or activities. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 112 miles on I 90, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before starting this segment. While there's only one recommended stop, it's wise to take breaks as needed, especially if you prefer shorter driving periods. The fuel cost is estimated at $43, so factor that into your budget.
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 101.3 miles from Richland, WA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.3 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richland, 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 Richland, WA
This is one driving day of about 202.6 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Richland, 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 112.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 202.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10 mi into trip|~15m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
178.2 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
178.4 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
6
202.1 mi into trip|~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward WA 164 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 164 East: Auburn
7
202.2 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|Auburn Way South
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.47 one way
$78.93 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$41.35
$82.70
premium
$5.39
$43.00
$86.00
diesel
$4.80
$38.25
$76.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.27
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.73
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.36
$12.97
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Richland, WA
Late night
in Richland on Monday
Local time
12:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Smoke then Clear
W 1 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
Auburn, WA
Late night
in Auburn on Monday
Local time
12:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 6m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 188.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 75% of the 202.6 miles on major roads like I 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 112.3 miles on I 90 before transitioning to Vantage Highway and then State Route 18. Expect a significant portion of cruising on high-speed roads, with fewer transitions between surface streets and interstates compared to other routes. The latter part of the drive involves more varied road conditions as you move off the main interstate.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Vantage Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
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 202.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 178.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,566 ft88 ft
Total Climb
2,448 ft
Total Descent
2,744 ft
Highest Point
2,566 ft
~144.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,478 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richland, WA and Auburn, WA, road signs point toward Vantage, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Richland is a city of 51,000 people (2020) in the Columbia River Plateau, where the Yakima River flows into the Columbia. It is the closest city to the Hanford Nuclear Site, where development of its historic nuclear reactor lead to a large national research lab and a waste remediation effort that is the single largest construction project in the country.
Richland is one of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Kennewick and Pasco. 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 6m. Total distance: 202.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Auburn, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 178.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Auburn, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
