Origin
Yakima, WA
Evening in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
6:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yakima, WA to Bellevue, WA
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
136.9 mi
220 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Spanning 136.9 miles, the drive from Yakima to Bellevue is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 37 minutes. Because the trip is well within a single day’s reach, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $29 on fuel for the trip, making it a relatively affordable commute between these two Washington locations. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including US 97, I-82, and South 1st Street, keeping your travel time efficient. Both your starting point and destination sit within the Pacific Coast region, ensuring a familiar climate and landscape throughout the journey. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that works perfectly for those looking to reach the Seattle metro area from central Washington without unnecessary complications.
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
68.5 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 97% of this route is comprised of fast-paced highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on US 97, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 101.4 miles that defines the character of the trip. The road transitions from the local streets of Yakima onto I-82 and US 97, favoring speed and directness over technical curves. While you won't encounter significant local road maneuvering until you reach the Bellevue area, the consistency of the highway segments allows for steady progress. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a drive that prioritizes efficiency, requiring you to maintain focus during the long stretches of high-speed travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 101.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.3 miles in near US 97.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 136.9 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 32.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
32.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 West
8
133.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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.
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
133.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
135.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 12
Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue South...
8
135.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 116th Avenue Southeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward 116th Avenue Southeast
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 101.4 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 82 | 30.3 mi | 32m |
| South 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| I 405 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 116th Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Selah Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yakima, WA and Bellevue, WA.
1
Start on South 1st Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South 1st Street
2
Continue on Selah Road
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Selah Road
3
Take the ramp
111 ft
·
2 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
5
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 82; US 97
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
101 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
US 97
Toward I 90 West
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 12
Toward Southeast 8th Street, 116th Avenue Southeast
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward 116th Avenue Southeast
Use the left / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto 116th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
116th Avenue Southeast
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto Main Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right
45 ft
·
3 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around traffic patterns near the Bellevue area. You only need to build in one planned stop to keep your energy up during the 136.9-mile transit. Given the high percentage of highway driving, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Yakima, as the $29 estimated cost is based on standard highway fuel consumption. Because the longest stretch on US 97 covers over 100 miles, take advantage of your single stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus before hitting the heavier traffic flow near your destination. Planning your arrival to avoid peak morning or evening commute times in the Bellevue region will make the final leg of your journey much smoother.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yakima, 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 Yakima, WA
This is one driving day of about 136.9 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Yakima, 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 US 97 for about 101.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.5 mi from Yakima, WA · 1h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 68.5 miles from Yakima, 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 101.4 miles.
Arriving in Bellevue, WA
The final approach into Bellevue, 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 Bellevue, 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
$28.73 one way
$57.47 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $30.00 | $60.01 |
| premium | $5.77 | $31.10 | $62.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.41 | $60.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Bellevue, WA
Evening in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
6:34 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°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
6 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
2h 37m 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 Yakima, WA to Bellevue, WA covers 136.9 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, I 82, South 1st Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Yakima, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.73 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.
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 12 significant decision points across 136.9 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 32.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Yakima, WA to Bellevue, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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