Origin
Yakima, WA
Night in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
10:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yakima, WA to Ellensburg, WA
Drive Time
46m
Distance
36 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellensburg, WA
Frank Cone
Trip Overview
Connecting Yakima and Ellensburg, this straightforward 36-mile drive is a quick trip that typically takes about 46 minutes. Because the distance is so short, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-82, US-97, and South 1st Street to navigate between these two Pacific Coast region cities. With an estimated fuel cost of just $8, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route for travelers. It serves as a highly practical link for those needing to move between these two Washington hubs efficiently. Whether you are commuting or just passing through, the simplicity of this short drive makes it a stress-free option for your itinerary.
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
18 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of this 36-mile route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-82, which provides a longest uninterrupted stretch of 30.3 miles. The road maintains a consistent pace, allowing you to cover the distance quickly without the need for complex maneuvers or technical local navigation. While you start by navigating local segments like South 1st Street, the drive quickly transitions into a steady, efficient interstate pace. Behind the wheel, you will find the route predictable and easy to manage, making it ideal for drivers who prefer a direct, no-nonsense path.
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 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 82 and US 97. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 46m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
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
Toward I 90 West
7
33.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward Canyon Road, Ellensburg
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 Canyon Road, Ellensburg
4
36 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
West 5th Avenue
Turn right onto West 5th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 82 | 30.3 mi | 32m |
| US 97 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Canyon Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Selah Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 5th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 82
— 30.3 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yakima, WA and Ellensburg, 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
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 97
Toward I 90 West
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Canyon Road, Ellensburg
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto Canyon Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Canyon Road
9
Continue on South Main Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
10
Turn right onto West 5th Avenue
216 ft
·
7 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
West 5th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 46-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for long stops, as the direct nature of the route allows you to reach your destination in one go. Keep your fuel budget around $8 in mind, though filling up before you leave Yakima ensures you have plenty of range for the 36-mile stretch. Because the drive is so brief, try to plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours if you want the smoothest experience possible. A concrete tip for this trip: check your tire pressure before heading out, as the sustained 30.3-mile stretch on I-82 is where you will spend the bulk of your time at highway speeds.
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 18 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.3 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 36 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellensburg, 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 36 miles and 46m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 82 for about 30.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18 mi from Yakima, WA · 21m 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18 miles from Yakima, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ellensburg, WA
The final approach into Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, 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
$7.56 one way
$15.11 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $7.89 | $15.78 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.18 | $16.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.15 | $1.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.04 | $2.30 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Ellensburg, WA
Night in Ellensburg on Sunday
Local time
10:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
33°F
Waterville, WA
18 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
19 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
46m 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 Ellensburg, WA covers 36 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 82, US 97, 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 18 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 $7.56 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 46m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Yakima, WA to Ellensburg, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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