Origin
Ellensburg, WA
Evening in Ellensburg on Sunday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellensburg, WA to South Cle Elum, WA
Drive Time
34m
Distance
25.9 mi
42 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellensburg, WA
Frank Cone
South Cle Elum, WA
Chris F
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Ellensburg and South Cle Elum, this 25.9-mile drive is a straightforward journey that takes roughly 34 minutes to complete. It is perfectly suited as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $5 on fuel for this short excursion. The route keeps you within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, making it an efficient way to navigate between these two points. Because the distance is so manageable, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule around your own needs rather than worrying about road fatigue.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
12.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of your travel time spent on major roads like I-90. You will find yourself cruising along a significant 21.4-mile stretch of interstate, which makes up the bulk of the journey. The experience transitions from West University Way onto the interstate before finishing via South Cle Elum Way. Expect a consistent, fast-paced drive that prioritizes direct transit over winding backroads. Being behind the wheel here is a functional experience, perfect for those who prefer steady highway speeds over technical maneuvering.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and West University Way. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West University Way): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (US 97): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West University Way
Turn left onto West University Way
Navigation decision point
4
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 97
Enter roundabout onto US 97
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
2.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 West
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ellensburg, WA to South Cle Elum, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Exit 84: Cle Elum along the way.
Exit 84: Cle Elum
24.3 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 21.4 mi | 22m |
| West University Way | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South Cle Elum Way | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Oaks Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Railroad Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| US 97 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 5th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 21.4 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellensburg, WA and South Cle Elum, WA.
1
Start on West 5th Avenue
216 ft
·
11 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto West University Way
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Way
4
Enter roundabout onto US 97
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 97
5
Continue on US 97
528 ft
·
14 sec
·
US 97
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 West
7
Merge onto I 90
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Exit 84: Cle Elum
9
Turn right onto South Oaks Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Oaks Avenue
10
Turn left onto West Railroad Street
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Railroad Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto South Cle Elum Way
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cle Elum Way
12
Turn right
188 ft
·
13 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over half an hour, you don't need to worry about planning formal stops or rest breaks along the way. Your best strategy is to simply time your departure to avoid peak traffic on I-90, as this will ensure your 34-minute arrival estimate remains accurate. Keep your fuel budget of $5 in mind, though the short distance makes it easy to manage your tank before you even leave Ellensburg. Because there are no mandatory stops required for this 25.9-mile trip, you can enjoy the freedom of moving at your own pace. A great tip for this route is to double-check your exit onto South Cle Elum Way early, as the transition from the interstate is the final step of your navigation.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 12.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.4 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 25.9 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.9 miles or 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Cle Elum, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, WA
This is one driving day of about 25.9 miles and 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ellensburg, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 21.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.9 mi from Ellensburg, WA · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in South Cle Elum, WA
The final approach into South Cle Elum, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around South Cle Elum, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.44 one way
$10.87 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $5.68 | $11.35 |
| premium | $5.77 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.75 | $11.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.72 | $1.24 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.27 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.63 | $1.66 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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.
Destination
South Cle Elum, WA
Evening in South Cle Elum on Sunday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
34m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ellensburg, WA to South Cle Elum, WA covers 25.9 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, West University Way, South Cle Elum Way. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.44 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 34m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (West University Way): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (US 97): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Ellensburg, WA to South Cle Elum, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Exit 84: Cle Elum along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From South Cle Elum, WA
More from Ellensburg, WA
More trips to South Cle Elum, WA
Explore more options from Ellensburg, WA or browse trips ending in South Cle Elum, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Ellensburg, WA or South Cle Elum, WA on MapSof.net.