Origin
South Cle Elum, WA
Evening in South Cle Elum on Sunday
Local time
8:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Cle Elum, WA to Kittitas, WA
Drive Time
41m
Distance
33.8 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Cle Elum, WA
Chris F
Kittitas, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward transit between South Cle Elum and Kittitas, this 33.8-mile drive is a quick and efficient option. Lasting approximately 41 minutes, the journey is best suited as a simple day trip since it requires no overnight stops. You will primarily navigate via I-90, Main Street, and South Cle Elum Way to complete the transit. With a fuel cost of around $7, it is an economical route for travelers crossing this stretch of Washington. Because both locations are situated within the Pacific Coast region, the drive offers a consistent feel without major transitions in landscape. Expect a practical, no-frills experience that gets you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
16.9 miles from South Cle Elum, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your time spent on main thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a steady rhythm, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 30.7 miles along I-90. While local roads like Main Street and South Cle Elum Way handle the start and finish, the bulk of your journey is a fast-paced interstate experience. The transition from local streets to the highway is seamless, allowing you to maintain consistent speeds for the majority of the 41-minute duration. Prepare for a functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads or technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 30.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Main Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near South Oaks Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (South Oaks Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
South Oaks Avenue
Turn right onto South Oaks Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
Navigation decision point
Toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
32.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward Kittitas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Kittitas
4
32.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
Cleman Road
Turn left onto Cleman Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 30.7 mi | 32m |
| Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Cle Elum Way | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South Oaks Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Railroad Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cleman Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East First Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 30.7 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Cle Elum, WA and Kittitas, WA.
1
Start on this road
188 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South Cle Elum Way
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cle Elum Way
3
Turn right onto West Railroad Street
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Railroad Street
4
Turn right onto South Oaks Avenue
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Oaks Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 90 East: Ellensburg
6
Merge onto I 90
31 mi
·
32 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Kittitas
8
Turn left onto Cleman Road
216 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cleman Road
9
Continue on Main Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
10
Turn right onto East First Avenue
148 ft
·
4 sec
·
East First Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
East First Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 33.8-mile run, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, though I-90 traffic patterns should be kept in mind during peak hours. You likely won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is under an hour and the route is quite direct. Budget about $7 for fuel before you head out to ensure you aren't scrambling for a station mid-trip. Because there are zero planned stops on this route, make sure you are fueled up and ready to go before leaving South Cle Elum. Enjoy the convenience of a short drive that keeps your travel day light and efficient.
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 16.9 miles from South Cle Elum, WA, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.7 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 33.8 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.9 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kittitas, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving South Cle Elum, 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 South Cle Elum, WA
This is one driving day of about 33.8 miles and 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Cle Elum, 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 30.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.9 mi from South Cle Elum, WA · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.9 miles from South Cle Elum, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kittitas, WA
The final approach into Kittitas, 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 Kittitas, 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
$7.09 one way
$14.19 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $7.41 | $14.82 |
| premium | $5.77 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.51 | $15.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.55 | $1.62 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.96 | $1.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Kittitas, WA
Evening in Kittitas on Sunday
Local time
8:19 PM
PDT
Current temp
32°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
17 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
41m 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 South Cle Elum, WA to Kittitas, WA covers 33.8 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, Main Street, 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 16.9 miles from South Cle Elum, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.09 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 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (South Oaks Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from South Cle Elum, WA to Kittitas, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Kittitas, WA
More trips to Kittitas, WA
Explore more options from South Cle Elum, WA or browse trips ending in Kittitas, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for South Cle Elum, WA or Kittitas, WA on MapSof.net.