How far is Auburn, WA from Ellensburg, WA?
The driving distance from Auburn, WA to Ellensburg, WA is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Washington
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and Ellensburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and Ellensburg.
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1
Start on East Main Street
8 m · 6 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left onto A Street Southeast
956 ft · 28 sec · A Street Southeast
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3
Turn left onto Cross Street Southeast
783 ft · 27 sec · Cross Street Southeast
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4
Turn right onto Auburn Way South
802 ft · 28 sec · Auburn Way South
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5
Take the ramp left toward WA 18 East
1183 ft · 29 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
23.2 mi · 30 min · State Route 18
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7
Continue on Snoqualmie Parkway
656 ft · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Spokane
3019 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
79.8 mi · 1 hr 28 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 97 North: Ellensburg, Wenatchee
1399 ft · 34 sec
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11
Continue straight
2660 ft · 56 sec
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Dolarway Road
4 m · 1 sec · North Dolarway Road
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13
Exit the roundabout onto North Dolarway Road
1.3 mi · 4 min · North Dolarway Road
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14
Continue on North Railroad Avenue
1623 ft · 47 sec · North Railroad Avenue
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15
Turn left onto West 5th Avenue
2635 ft · 2 min · West 5th Avenue
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and Ellensburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 90 East
Merge slight left
79.8 mi · 01h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Auburn and Mostly Cloudy near Ellensburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Auburn to Ellensburg?
The road trip is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km) and usually takes 02h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tanner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.6 miles from Auburn and 53.7 miles from Ellensburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.8 miles (131.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.83 one way or $39.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Auburn and Mostly Cloudy near Ellensburg.
Stop Ideas Near Tanner
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tanner.
Tukwila station
Skykomish (Eastbound), WA
Skykomish, Washington
Monroe, Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and Ellensburg. Straight-line distance: 81.83 mi (131.7 km).
#1 Auburn
The second most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.
| Population | 81,024 |
| Coordinates | 47.3073200, -122.2284500 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ellensburg
City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
| Population | 21,576 |
| Coordinates | 46.9965100, -120.5478500 |
| Altitude | 470 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ellensburg (-120.54785, 46.99651)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 173 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $19.83 | $39.67 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $21.10 | $42.20 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $21.87 | $43.74 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $20.72 | $41.44 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Washington · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.