How far is Mercer Island, WA from Auburn, WA?

The driving distance from Mercer Island, WA to Auburn, WA is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
25.61 mi
00h 34m
Flight
18.19 mi
29.28 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mercer Island.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.19 mi
Kilometers
29.28 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
25.61 mi
Kilometers
41.21 km
Drive Time
00h 34m

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 00h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Auburn
Wed, Jun 3, 6:54 AM PDT
Return by in Mercer Island
Wed, Jun 3, 7:29 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mercer Island
2026-06-03T06:19
Arrive Auburn
Wed, Jun 3, 6:54 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:35 AM to 7:35 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:20 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Mercer Island
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Renton
WA

The second most populous city in King County, Washington.

From Mercer Island
12.1 mi
00h 17m
To Auburn
13.5 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
9 mph SSW
Destination
73°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Jun 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mercer Island and Auburn.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mercer Island and Auburn.

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast 42nd Street

    539 ft · 28 sec · Southeast 42nd Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 86th Avenue Southeast

    1325 ft · 49 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Southeast 40th Street

    1344 ft · 44 sec · Southeast 40th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Gallagher Hill Road

    1478 ft · 41 sec · Gallagher Hill Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast 36th Street

    2209 ft · 1 min · Southeast 36th Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East

    1819 ft · 46 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto East Channel Bridge

    2894 ft · 41 sec · East Channel Bridge

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 405: Everett, Renton

    2502 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 South: Renton

    2711 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    7.6 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South

    2523 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 167 South: Auburn

    2499 ft · 57 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

    10.2 mi · 13 min · Valley Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward 15th Street Northwest

    1448 ft · 44 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 15th Street Northwest

    2596 ft · 1 min · 15th Street Northwest

  16. 16

    Turn right onto C Street Northwest

    1.1 mi · 3 min · C Street Northwest

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1135 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mercer Island and Auburn.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
70.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Valley Freeway
10.2 mi · 40%
I 405 South
8.13 mi · 32%
C Street Northwest
1.1 mi · 4%
WA 167 South
0.95 mi · 4%
15th Street Northwest
0.77 mi · 3%
East Channel Bridge
0.55 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Valley Freeway

Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

10.2 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 34m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
18.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Renton
00h 17m from Mercer Island
Leave By
7:20 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Mercer Island and Mostly Cloudy near Auburn.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mercer Island to Auburn?

The road trip is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Renton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.1 miles from Mercer Island and 13.5 miles from Auburn.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 18.2 miles (29.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.71 one way or $9.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Mercer Island and Mostly Cloudy near Auburn.

Stop Ideas Near Renton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Renton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 3.4 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.8 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
City of Auburn
Meeting point 10.8 mi away

City of Auburn

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 3.9/5 15 reviews City Hall,City government office
Auburn Community & Event Center
Nearby stop 11.3 mi away

Auburn Community & Event Center

Auburn , WA
Parks, Arts & Recreation Administration Building, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
Rating 4.5/5 84 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Renton.

RAIL

Tukwila station

3 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

15 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

18 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

31 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mercer Island and Auburn. Straight-line distance: 18.19 mi (29.28 km).

Mercer Island

#1 Mercer Island

Island in the United States of America

Population25,912
Coordinates47.5706500, -122.2220700
Altitude102
CountryUnited States
Auburn

#2 Auburn

The second most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.

Population81,024
Coordinates47.3073200, -122.2284500
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast 42nd Street (-122.222067, 47.570945)
End: A Street Southeast (-122.228563, 47.307325)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 41 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.9 gal
3.42 L · about $4.71
Round trip
$9.42
1.8 gal · 6.84 L
Estimated CO2
8 kg one way
Round trip: 16 kg / 35 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $4.71 $9.42
Mid-grade $5.57 $5.01 $10.02
Premium $5.77 $5.19 $10.39
Diesel $5.47 $4.92 $9.84

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Mercer Island and Auburn. The current time is 06:19:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.