Origin
Yakima, WA
Evening in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yakima, WA to Ephrata, WA
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
93.7 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ephrata, WA
Ahmad Shaufi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Yakima to Ephrata covers 93.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Your estimated fuel cost for the drive is approximately $20, making it an affordable excursion within Washington state. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-82, I-90, and WA-283, ensuring a straightforward path between these two Pacific Coast region locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this drive is efficient and requires minimal logistical planning.
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
46.8 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving at consistent speeds for the majority of the trip. With 97% of the route consisting of highway driving, you will spend most of your time navigating established interstates and state routes rather than winding local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-90, where you can settle into a 40-mile cruise. The character of the road is functional and direct, transitioning from the interstate system onto WA-283 as you approach your destination. You won't find many technical challenges here, as the infrastructure is designed for steady, long-distance travel.
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 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 40 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 1h 49m 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
6
32.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
5
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
4
93.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
3rd Avenue Southwest
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Yakima, WA and Ephrata, WA, road signs point toward Spokane and Soap Lake.
Spokane
32.3 mi in
|
~37m
Soap Lake
73 mi in
|
~1h 20m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 40 mi | 42m |
| I 82 | 30.3 mi | 32m |
| WA 283 | 20.1 mi | 27m |
| South 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Selah Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Burke Spur | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue Southwest | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 40 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yakima, WA and Ephrata, 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 right at fork
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
7
Merge onto I 90
40 mi
·
42 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
9
Continue on WA 281 Spur
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Burke Spur
10
Turn right onto WA 283
20 mi
·
27 min
·
WA 283
11
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
43 ft
·
0 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
12
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue Southwest
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure schedule. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops to break up the journey, as the distance is short enough to cover in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before leaving Yakima to ensure you stay within your $20 budget. If you are traveling during peak commuter hours, anticipate slightly heavier traffic while merging onto the interstate sections. A helpful tip for this route is to verify your GPS routing specifically for the transition onto WA-283, as this turnoff marks the final leg of your 93.7-mile trip.
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 46.8 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40 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 46.8 miles or 52m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ephrata, 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 93.7 miles and 1h 49m.
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 90 for about 40 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.8 mi from Yakima, WA · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 46.8 miles from Yakima, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ephrata, WA
The final approach into Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, 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
$19.67 one way
$39.33 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $20.54 | $41.07 |
| premium | $5.77 | $21.29 | $42.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.82 | $41.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.84 | $4.50 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.20 | $3.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.12 | $6.00 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Ephrata, WA
Evening in Ephrata on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
33°F
Waterville, WA
47 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 49m 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 Ephrata, WA covers 93.7 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 82, WA 283. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.8 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 $19.67 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 1h 49m 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: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Yakima, WA and Ephrata, WA, road signs point toward Spokane and Soap Lake.
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