This 233.3-mile journey from Ridgefield, WA, to Pasco, WA, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 31 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll primarily navigate via Columbia River Highway and McNary Highway, with a small 9% share of I-205. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $49. Expect a turn-heavy local drive experience rather than a fast-paced interstate cruise. Since it's a single-day trip, you'll have flexibility in planning your stops.
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
116.7 miles from Ridgefield, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.1 mi
2h 55m
McNary Highway
29.9 mi
33m
I 205
14.7 mi
19m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.4 mi
12m
I 5
5.9 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
3.3 mi
4m
Pioneer Street
2.7 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,276 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,842
Quietest
2 AM
~122 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
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 Ridgefield, WA and Pasco, WA.
1
Start on South 5th Avenue
96 ft·6 sec·South 5th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Pioneer Street
1.5 mi·3 min·Pioneer Street
3
Enter roundabout onto WA 501
117 ft·3 sec·Pioneer Street
4
Continue on WA 501
0.5 mi·1 min·Pioneer Street
5
Enter roundabout onto WA 501
135 ft·3 sec·Pioneer Street
6
Continue on WA 501
0.3 mi·33 sec·Pioneer Street
7
Enter roundabout onto Pioneer Street
134 ft·2 sec·Pioneer Street
8
Continue on Pioneer Street
0.3 mi·36 sec·Pioneer Street
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 501
140 ft·2 sec·Pioneer Street
10
Continue on WA 501
0.1 mi·15 sec·Pioneer Street
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 5 South: PortlandUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 5
5.9 mi·6 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
15 mi·19 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 22Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 55 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
17
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla
18
Continue on I 82
30 mi·33 min·McNary Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
20
Continue on US 395
1.1 mi·2 min·South US 395
21
Continue on US 395
2.6 mi·3 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Court Street
23
Turn right onto West Court Street
1.3 mi·2 min·West Court Street
24
Turn right onto North 8th Avenue
0.1 mi·28 sec·North 8th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
North 8th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Ridgefield to avoid any potential local traffic. With just one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to choose your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on the Columbia River Highway is 158.1 miles, and it's wise to refuel before embarking on such a significant segment. The $49 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always be prepared for minor fluctuations. Enjoy the local road experience without the pressure of needing an overnight stay.
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 116.7 miles from Ridgefield, WA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.1 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 16m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasco, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ridgefield, 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 Ridgefield, WA
This is one driving day of about 233.3 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Ridgefield, 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 Columbia River Highway for about 158.1 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 2.3 and 224.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|Pioneer Street
Enter roundabout onto Pioneer Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Portland
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
7
8.9 mi into trip|~13m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
23.7 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
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 22
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
6
224.7 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.45 one way
$90.90 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$47.62
$95.23
premium
$5.39
$49.52
$99.03
diesel
$4.80
$44.05
$88.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.50
$11.20
Efficient EV
58.3
0
$20.41
$9.33
EV Truck/SUV
93.3
1
$32.66
$14.93
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Ridgefield, WA
Late night
in Ridgefield on Sunday
Local time
1:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Pasco, WA
Late night
in Pasco on Sunday
Local time
1:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM 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
15 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 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a consistent highway. With only 9% of the drive on highways, most of your time will be spent on local roads like the Columbia River Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 158.1 miles. This suggests a more engaging, potentially slower-paced experience with varied scenery as you transition between different types of roadways. Be prepared for a driving style that requires more attention to navigation and speed adjustments.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.1 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near Pioneer 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 233.3 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 2.3 miles (Pioneer Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,270 ft47 ft
Total Climb
1,462 ft
Total Descent
1,186 ft
Highest Point
1,270 ft
~216.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,223 ft
Notable High Points
1,270 ft at ~216.7 miles+701 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 Ridgefield, WA to Pasco, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Umatilla along the way.
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 31m. Total distance: 233.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.1 miles on Columbia River Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Pasco, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (Pioneer Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Pasco, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
