Trip from Yakima, WA to Lake Shore, WA

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

195 mi

314 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 42m ★

6 AM

3h 55m

8 AM

4h 20m

10 AM

4h 4m

12 PM

4h 1m

3 PM

4h 5m

5 PM

4h 19m

8 PM

3h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Lake Shore, WA

William Jacobs

Trip Overview

This 195-mile journey from Yakima, WA to Lake Shore, WA takes approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Columbia River Highway and Evergreen Highway, with a brief stint on I-82, totaling about 13% highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $41. Expect a route with plenty of turns, offering a more engaging local drive experience rather than a straight interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, suggesting a consistent, though varied, regional landscape.

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

97.5 miles from Yakima, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Prepare for a drive that's more about the journey than the destination, characterized by its turn-heavy local road nature. While only 13% of the route involves highway driving, you'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 95 miles on the Columbia River Highway. This suggests a significant portion of your time will be spent on roads that require more attention and offer a closer look at the surroundings. The transition from highway to these local roads will likely change the pace and feel of your drive considerably.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Columbia River Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 95 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 178 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 195 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 178 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

178 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport

182.5 mi into trip | ~3h 34m in

Take the exit toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas

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 27 Toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas

182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center

183.1 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WA 14 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Toward WA 14 West

188.7 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 5 North: Seattle

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Yakima, WA and Lake Shore, WA, road signs point toward Buena, Seattle, Portland Airport, Camas and City Center.

Buena

17.6 mi in | ~21m

Seattle

177.6 mi in | ~3h 27m

Portland Airport

177.6 mi in | ~3h 27m

Camas

182.5 mi in | ~3h 34m

City Center

182.7 mi in | ~3h 35m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Columbia River Highway	95 mi	1h 48m
Evergreen Highway	60.1 mi	1h 10m
I 82	16.2 mi	18m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway	5.4 mi	6m
I 205	4.2 mi	5m
I 5	3.3 mi	4m
United States Route 97	2.4 mi	2m
East Chestnut Avenue	0.9 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Columbia River Highway — 95 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Yakima, WA and Lake Shore, WA.

Start on South 1st Street

415 ft · 19 sec · South 1st Street

Turn left onto East Chestnut Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · East Chestnut Avenue

Turn left onto South Fair Avenue

359 ft · 12 sec · South Fair Avenue

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Merge onto I 82; US 12; US 97

3.9 mi · 4 min · I 82; US 12; US 97

Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12

12 mi · 13 min · I 82; US 12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward SR 22 East: Toppenish, Buena

Turn right onto WA 22

1.8 mi · 2 min · Evergreen Highway

Continue on WA 22

0.8 mi · 1 min · Buena Way

Turn right onto WA 22

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Elm Street

Continue on US 97

58 mi · 1 hr 7 min · Evergreen Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97

0.2 mi · 33 sec · US 97

At end of road, turn left onto US 97; WA 14

0.5 mi · 33 sec · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway

Turn right onto US 97

2.4 mi · 2 min · United States Route 97

Take the exit

385 ft · 9 sec

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · this road

Merge onto I 84; US 30

95 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Columbia River Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 29 sec

Exit 9 Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 205

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 205

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 41 sec

Exit 27 Toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 49 sec

Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward WA 14 West Use the straight lane.

Merge onto WA 14

5.4 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 5

3.3 mi · 4 min · I 5

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Exit 4 Toward Northeast 78th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

488 ft · 13 sec

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto Northeast 78th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Northeast 78th Street

Continue on Northwest 78th Street

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Northwest 78th Street

Turn right onto Northwest 9th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · Northwest 9th Avenue

Turn left onto Northwest 94th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Northwest 94th Street

Turn right onto Northwest 18th Avenue

523 ft · 28 sec · Northwest 18th Avenue

Turn left onto Northwest 96th Street

344 ft · 15 sec · Northwest 96th Street

Arrive at destination

Northwest 96th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3 hour and 54 minute duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially since the drive involves many turns on local roads. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $41, you can plan your spending accordingly. A key tip for this drive is to stay aware of the longest stretch on the Columbia River Highway; knowing this 95-mile segment is coming can help you plan your fuel and rest breaks effectively before you embark on it.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 97.5 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95 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 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 97.5 miles or 1h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Shore, 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 195 miles and 3h 54m.

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 Columbia River Highway for about 95 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 97.5 mi from Yakima, WA · 1h 56m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yacolt, WA

98 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

Madras, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madras, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 97.5 miles from Yakima, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Columbia River Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95 miles.

Arriving in Lake Shore, WA

The final approach into Lake Shore, 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 Lake Shore, 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

$40.81 one way

$81.62 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$42.80	$85.60
premium	$5.77	$44.28	$88.56
diesel	$5.61	$43.05	$86.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	58.5	$20.47	$9.36
Efficient EV	48.8	$17.06	$7.80
EV Truck/SUV	78	$27.30	$12.48

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Yakima, WA

Late night in Yakima on Wednesday

Local time

1:12 AM

PDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Shore, WA

Late night in Lake Shore on Wednesday

Local time

1:12 AM

PDT

Current temp

44°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

10 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

3h 54m 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 Lake Shore, WA covers 195 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Columbia River Highway, Evergreen Highway, I 82. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 97.5 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 $40.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.