Origin
Sunnyside, WA
Night in Sunnyside on Sunday
Local time
9:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sunnyside, WA to Yakima, WA
Drive Time
45m
Distance
35.5 mi
57 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 42m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sunnyside, WA
Joshua Lim
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion between Sunnyside and Yakima, you will find this 35.5-mile journey remarkably efficient. Expect to spend about 45 minutes on the road, making this a perfect candidate for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating the route is straightforward, as your path primarily follows I-82, the Yakima Valley Highway, and East Yakima Avenue. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $7, the trip is as budget-friendly as it is convenient. Because both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you will enjoy a consistent climate and landscape throughout your travel. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this direct route gets you to your destination 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
17.7 miles from Sunnyside, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 45-minute trip is a highway-focused drive, with 84% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey—29.7 miles—cruising along the uninterrupted stretch of I-82. The experience is largely defined by this interstate segment, which allows for consistent speeds and predictable driving conditions. As you transition off the highway and into the local network of the Yakima Valley Highway and East Yakima Avenue, the pace naturally shifts to accommodate local traffic. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, technical roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 82 and Yakima Valley Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Franklin Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 35.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles (West Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Franklin Avenue
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 6th Street
Turn right onto South 6th Street
Navigation decision point
4
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
West Sunnyside Road
Turn left onto West Sunnyside Road
Navigation decision point
5
34 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
5
34.2 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Yakima Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Yakima Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 82 | 29.7 mi | 32m |
| Yakima Valley Highway | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| East Yakima Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Franklin Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Sunnyside Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 9th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 82
— 29.7 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyside, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on South 9th Street
468 ft
·
22 sec
·
South 9th Street
2
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Franklin Avenue
3
Turn right onto South 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 6th Street
4
Turn left onto Yakima Valley Highway
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Yakima Valley Highway
5
Turn left onto West Sunnyside Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
West Sunnyside Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
7
Merge onto I 82; US 12
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 82; US 12
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Yakima Avenue
10
Turn straight onto East Yakima Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Yakima Avenue
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto South 1st Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 1st Street
12
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 35.5-mile sprint, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits you best. You won't need to worry about planning complex rest stops, as the entire drive is easily manageable in under an hour without a break. While the $7 fuel estimate is quite low, it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before departing Sunnyside to avoid any unnecessary stops once you reach the Yakima area. Because the route relies so heavily on I-82, keep an eye on traffic reports for that specific corridor to ensure your 45-minute travel estimate remains accurate. Taking advantage of the quick transit time allows you to maximize your day at your destination rather than behind the wheel.
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 17.7 miles from Sunnyside, WA, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 35.5 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.7 miles or 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 37m
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 Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA
This is one driving day of about 35.5 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sunnyside, 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 82 for about 29.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Sunnyside, WA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Sunnyside, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$7.45 one way
$14.90 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $7.78 | $15.56 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.07 | $16.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.89 | $15.77 |
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: 12.4 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 | 10.7 | 0 | $3.73 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
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
Yakima, WA
Night in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
9:00 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°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
45m 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 Sunnyside, WA to Yakima, WA covers 35.5 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 82, Yakima Valley Highway, East Yakima Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.7 miles from Sunnyside, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.45 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 35.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Franklin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.9 miles (West Sunnyside Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Sunnyside, WA to Yakima, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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