Origin
Longview, WA
Afternoon in Longview on Thursday
Local time
4:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Longview, WA to Yakima, WA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
167.6 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 14m
★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Longview, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Longview, WA to Yakima, WA covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, I 5, North 1st Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135.6 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.08 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
83.8 miles from Longview, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 167.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 167.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 12 and I 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 135.6 miles on US 12.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 135.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 5. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 16th Avenue.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Longview, WA to Yakima, WA is easy. At 3h 25m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (North Pacific Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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
|
16th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
North Pacific Avenue
Turn left onto North Pacific Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
2.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
29.8 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
4
165.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
Take the exit toward North 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward North 1st Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 135.6 mi | 2h 44m |
| I 5 | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| North 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Washington Way | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Kelso Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Cowlitz Way | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Pacific Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 16th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 135.6 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on Olympia Way
120 ft
·
4 sec
·
Olympia Way
2
Enter roundabout onto 16th Avenue
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
16th Avenue
3
Continue on 16th Avenue
238 ft
·
8 sec
·
16th Avenue
4
Continue on Washington Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Way
5
Continue on WA 4
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cowlitz Way
6
Turn left onto North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Pacific Avenue
7
Continue on North Kelso Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Kelso Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
9
Merge onto I 5
27 mi
·
29 min
·
I 5
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
11
Turn right onto US 12
119 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
US 12
12
Continue on US 12
17 mi
·
22 min
·
US 12
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward North 1st Street
14
Turn straight onto Selah Road
298 ft
·
5 sec
·
Selah Road
15
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
16
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
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 83.8 miles from Longview, WA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.6 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 37 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yakima, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longview, 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 Longview, WA
This is one driving day of about 167.6 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Longview, 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 US 12 for about 135.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Longview, WA · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.8 miles from Longview, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.6 miles.
Arriving in Yakima, WA
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.08 one way
$70.15 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $36.79 | $73.57 |
| premium | $5.77 | $38.06 | $76.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.00 | $74.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.46 | $10.73 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Yakima, WA
Afternoon in Yakima on Thursday
Local time
4:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°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
1 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
3h 25m 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 Longview, WA to Yakima, WA covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, I 5, North 1st Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.8 miles from Longview, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.08 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Longview, WA to Yakima, WA is easy. At 3h 25m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (16th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 1.6 miles (North Pacific Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Longview, WA to Yakima, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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