Origin
Wenatchee, WA
Night in Wenatchee on Sunday
Local time
10:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wenatchee, WA to Yakima, WA
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
107.2 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wenatchee, WA
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Connecting Wenatchee to Yakima via US 97 and US 2, this 107.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Washington state. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 2 hours and 15 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast region cities. Because the route is compact and efficient, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this path serves as a reliable link through the central part of the state.
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
53.6 miles from Wenatchee, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of your travel spent on major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on US 97, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 87.4 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience as you transition away from South Wenatchee Avenue and onto the open highway. The road maintains a predictable pace, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without the need for constant navigation changes. It is a functional, streamlined drive that prioritizes efficiency over technical mountain passes or complex intersections.
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 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 2. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 miles in near US 97 / US 2.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 107.2 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 17.5 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles (US 97): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.9 miles (US 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
17.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
US 97 / US 2
Take the exit onto US 97 / US 2 toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
5
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
US 97
Enter roundabout onto US 97
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
73.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
5
105.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m 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
105.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
Between Wenatchee, WA and Yakima, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg and Seattle.
Ellensburg
17.5 mi in
|
~26m
|
via US 97
Seattle
17.5 mi in
|
~26m
|
via US 97
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 87.4 mi | 1h 44m |
| US 2 | 14 mi | 18m |
| South Wenatchee Avenue | 3.7 mi | 8m |
| North 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Selah Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Orondo 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:
US 97
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wenatchee, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on Orondo Avenue
33 ft
·
5 sec
·
Orondo Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Wenatchee Avenue
3.7 mi
·
8 min
·
South Wenatchee Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 97
140 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 2; US 97
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2; US 97
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 2; US 97
5
Take the exit onto US 97
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 2
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 97
35 mi
·
44 min
·
US 97
7
Turn left onto US 97
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 97
8
Continue on US 97
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
US 97
9
Enter roundabout onto US 97
32 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 97
10
Continue on US 97
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
US 97
11
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.
12
Take the exit
314 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
14
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi
·
13 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
Since the total drive time is relatively short, you have the advantage of planning your departure around your personal preference rather than strict daylight constraints. While there are no official stops designated for this 107.2-mile stretch, keep in mind that the majority of your time will be spent on the long US 97 corridor. Ensure your fuel tank is ready for the journey, as the $23 estimated cost reflects the highway-heavy nature of the route. If you find yourself needing a break during the 87.4-mile primary segment, plan your rest stops before merging onto the main highway to avoid unnecessary detours. Flexibility is your best tool here, allowing you to adjust your pace to suit your arrival needs in Yakima.
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 53.6 miles from Wenatchee, WA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.6 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
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 Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee, WA
This is one driving day of about 107.2 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wenatchee, 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 US 97 for about 87.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.6 mi from Wenatchee, WA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 53.6 miles from Wenatchee, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.4 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
$22.50 one way
$45.00 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $23.50 | $46.99 |
| premium | $5.77 | $24.36 | $48.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.82 | $47.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.26 | $5.15 |
| Efficient EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.38 | $4.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Night in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
10:25 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
2h 15m 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 Wenatchee, WA to Yakima, WA covers 107.2 miles and takes about 2h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, US 2, South Wenatchee 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 53.6 miles from Wenatchee, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.50 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 107.2 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 17.5 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles (US 97): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 73.9 miles (US 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wenatchee, WA and Yakima, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg and Seattle.
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