The Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Salish Lodge
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Snoqualmie, Washington
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+14258882556
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
139 mi
224 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lea Hill, WA
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Lea Hill, WA to Yakima, WA covers 139 miles and takes about 2h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, US 97, State Route 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.5 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.09 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.5 miles from Lea Hill, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 139 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 2h 42m highway drive covering 139 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US 97. The longest continuous stretch is about 84.5 miles on I 90.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 124th Avenue Southeast.
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 139 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.2 miles (124th Avenue Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (Southeast 304th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.2 miles (Southeast 304th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn left onto 124th Avenue Southeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Enter roundabout onto Southeast 304th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto Southeast 304th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 97 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| State Route 18 | 18.3 mi | 23m |
| North 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Southeast 304th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 124th Avenue Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Southeast 307th Place | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Selah Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lea Hill, WA and Yakima, WA.
Start on this road
Continue on Southeast 307th Place
At end of road, turn left onto 124th Avenue Southeast
Enter roundabout onto Southeast 304th Street
Continue on Southeast 304th Street
Turn right onto 132nd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto Southeast 304th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto US 97
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on WA 823
Continue on North 1st Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yakima, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lea Hill, 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 Lea Hill, WA
This is one driving day of about 139 miles and 2h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.5 mi from Lea Hill, WA · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 69.5 miles from Lea Hill, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 miles.
The final approach into Yakima, 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 Yakima, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the start, ~10 min detour
Snoqualmie, Washington
Hours: 8 am–3 pm
+14258882556
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+15099252327
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm
+15099685441
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Kent, Washington
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+12538545050
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
North Bend, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Cle Elum, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Yakima, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15099251777
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Yakima, Washington
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18003239935
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Union Gap, Washington
Hours: Closed
+15099300432
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Ellensburg, Washington
+15099253224
Visit websiteNear the end, ~11 min detour
Union Gap, Washington
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+15094578735
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$29.09 one way
$58.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $30.51 | $61.02 |
| premium | $5.77 | $31.57 | $63.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.69 | $61.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.59 | $6.67 |
| Efficient EV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.16 | $5.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.46 | $8.90 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Lea Hill on Friday
Local time
1:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Yakima on Friday
Local time
1:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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