Trip from Spokane Valley, WA to Yakima, WA

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

212.3 mi

342 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 41m ★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Trip Overview

Connecting Spokane Valley to Yakima, this 212.3-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Washington that typically takes about 3 hours and 54 minutes to complete. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably manage the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via the Spokane Valley Freeway, I-90, and I-82, you will remain within the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the drive. It is a highly practical transit route for those looking to move efficiently between these two cities. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the trip is manageable and predictable for most drivers.

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

106.2 miles from Spokane Valley, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience, as 98% of this route consists of highway travel. The driving environment is dominated by the long, open stretches of I-90, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted leg of 166.9 miles. You will find that the road maintains a consistent pace, allowing for steady progress across the state. While the drive is efficient, the lack of frequent turns means you will spend most of your time focused on highway cruising. Transitioning between the major interstates keeps the flow moving smoothly, making this a reliable choice if you prefer a predictable road surface over technical local roads.

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 166.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 East Montgomery Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 212.3 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 (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (I 90 / Spokane Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Montgomery Avenue

Turn left onto East Montgomery Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 90 / Spokane Valley Freeway

Merge onto I 90 / Spokane Valley Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
178.7 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Take the exit toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
5
210.3 mi into trip | ~3h 49m in

Take the exit toward US 12 west, North 1st Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
5
210.4 mi into trip | ~3h 49m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 166.9 mi 2h 59m
I 82 30.2 mi 32m
Spokane Valley Freeway 11.3 mi 14m
North 1st Street 1.6 mi 3m
North Pines Road 0.2 mi <1m
Selah Road 0.1 mi <1m
East Montgomery Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
South 1st Street Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: I 90 — 166.9 mi, about 2h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Spokane Valley, WA and Yakima, WA.

1

Start on WA 27

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Pines Road
Use the left lane.
2

Turn left onto East Montgomery Avenue

155 ft · 6 sec · East Montgomery Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
4

Merge onto I 90

11 mi · 14 min · Spokane Valley Freeway
Use the none lane.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395

57 mi · 1 hr · I 90; US 395
6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

110 mi · 1 hr 58 min · I 90
7

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 2 min
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
8

Merge onto I 82; US 97

30 mi · 32 min · I 82; US 97
9

Take the exit

314 ft · 4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 26 sec
11

Continue on WA 823

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Selah Road
12

Continue on North 1st Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · North 1st Street
13

Arrive at destination

South 1st Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 212.3-mile journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the nearly four-hour drive. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic fluctuations on the busy I-90 corridor. Since the route is highway-focused, verify your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. Because the trip is short enough to be completed in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Keep a close eye on your mileage during that 166.9-mile stretch on I-90, as it is the primary segment where you will spend the majority of your time behind the wheel.

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 106.2 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.9 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 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 106.2 miles or 1h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 9m

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 Spokane Valley, 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 Spokane Valley, WA

This is one driving day of about 212.3 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Spokane Valley, 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 166.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 106.2 mi from Spokane Valley, WA · 1h 56m into the drive

Downtown Waterville, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waterville, WA

106 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

Moses Lake, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waterville, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.2 miles from Spokane Valley, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 166.9 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

$44.56 one way

$89.12 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $46.53 $93.06
premium $5.77 $48.24 $96.47
diesel $5.64 $47.17 $94.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.7 0 $22.29 $10.19
Efficient EV 53.1 0 $18.58 $8.49
EV Truck/SUV 84.9 1 $29.72 $13.59

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Spokane Valley, WA

Evening in Spokane Valley on Sunday

Local time

6:35 PM

PDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yakima, WA

Evening in Yakima on Sunday

Local time

6:35 PM

PDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

33°F

Waterville, WA

106 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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 54m 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 Spokane Valley, WA to Yakima, WA covers 212.3 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 82, Spokane Valley Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.2 miles from Spokane Valley, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.56 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 8 significant decision points across 212.3 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 (East Montgomery Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (I 90 / Spokane Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Spokane Valley, WA to Yakima, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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