Origin
Puyallup, WA
Evening in Puyallup on Sunday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Puyallup, WA to Yakima, WA
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
153.6 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 50m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Puyallup, WA
Shantanu Kumar
Trip Overview
Connecting Puyallup to Yakima, this 153.6-mile trek is a straightforward day trip that typically takes just over three hours of driving. You will primarily utilize I-90, US-97, and State Route 18 to navigate between these two Pacific Coast locations. Budgeting approximately $32 for fuel makes this an accessible trip for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. Since the drive is manageable in a single day, you don't need to worry about overnight logistics unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a practical, efficient route that serves as a reliable link between the western side of the state and the interior.
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
76.8 miles from Puyallup, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm on the interstate, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 84.5 miles on I-90. While the transition from SR-18 to the interstate and eventually onto US-97 keeps the drive moving quickly, the personality of the road remains consistent and functional. You won't face many technical twists or turns, making this an ideal path for those who prefer predictable, high-speed travel. It is a no-nonsense route designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal interruption.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 84.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 4th Street Southeast.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 153.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (4th Street Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (3rd Street Southeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
4th Street Southeast
At end of road, turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
3rd Street Southeast
Turn sharp right onto 3rd Street Southeast
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yaki...
6
10 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn
7
120.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
US 97
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 97 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| State Route 18 | 24.1 mi | 30m |
| Valley Freeway | 7.5 mi | 9m |
| North 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Pioneer | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| WA 161 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street Southeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Puyallup, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on this road
54 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
1 min
3
At end of road, turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
351 ft
·
17 sec
·
4th Street Southeast
4
Turn left onto 7th Avenue Southeast
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
7th Avenue Southeast
5
Turn sharp right onto 3rd Street Southeast
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
3rd Street Southeast
6
Turn right onto East Pioneer
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Pioneer
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward WA 512 East, WA 167: Seattle
8
Merge onto WA 161; WA 512
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
WA 161; WA 512
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto WA 167
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi
·
30 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
15
Merge onto I 90
85 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 97
31 mi
·
34 min
·
US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
314 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
19
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Selah Road
20
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
21
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the trip only requires one main stop to keep you refreshed. Because the route is concentrated on high-speed highways, try to avoid peak commute hours to ensure your three-hour transit time remains accurate. Keep in mind that the 153.6-mile total distance is relatively short, giving you plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on traffic conditions. If you find yourself needing a break, look to pace your single stop around the transition from I-90 to US-97 to maximize your efficiency. Always check your fuel levels before merging onto the longer stretches, as maintaining steady momentum will help you stick to your $32 budget.
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 76.8 miles from Puyallup, WA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 34m 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 29m
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 Puyallup, 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 Puyallup, WA
This is one driving day of about 153.6 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Puyallup, 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 I 90 for about 84.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.8 mi from Puyallup, WA · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.8 miles from Puyallup, 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.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.24 one way
$64.48 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $33.67 | $67.33 |
| premium | $5.77 | $34.90 | $69.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.12 | $68.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.37 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.50 | $9.83 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Yakima, WA
Evening in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
5:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
77 mi in
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
3h 1m 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 Puyallup, WA to Yakima, WA covers 153.6 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 97, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.8 miles from Puyallup, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.24 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 153.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (4th Street Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (3rd Street Southeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Puyallup, WA to Yakima, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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