This 148.1-mile drive from Yakima, WA to Riverton, WA takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on US 97 and I-82, with a brief stint on I-405, meaning most of your journey will be on highways. With a projected fuel cost of around $31, this route is budget-friendly. The drive is focused on efficient travel, so plan for a straightforward journey across the Pacific Coast region. It’s a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss.
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
74.1 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 148.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 97% of this 148.1-mile trip. The bulk of your driving will be on US 97, which includes a continuous stretch of 101.4 miles. While predominantly highway, this route offers a fairly consistent driving feel, prioritizing speed and directness over winding backroads. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates and major US highways, so it's less about dramatic scenery changes and more about covering ground efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 148.1 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These 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 straight / slight right lanes.
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
7
133.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 South: Renton
7
146.2 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward WA 99 South: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Rental Car Return, State Patrol, Tukwila International Boulevard Station
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 WA 99 South: Seattle-Tacoma Internationa...
8
146.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 99 South: South 154th Street, Rental Car Return
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 99 South: South 154th Street, Rental...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Yakima, WA to Riverton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Everett along the way.
Everett
133.7 mi in|~2h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
I 405
10.7 mi
13m
South 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Military Road South
1.2 mi
2m
WA 518
0.9 mi
1m
Selah Road
0.1 mi
<1m
International Boulevard
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 Riverton, 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 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
11 mi·13 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on WA 518
0.9 mi·1 min·WA 518
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 99 South: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Rental Car Return, State Patrol, Tukwila International Boulevard StationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
231 ft·7 sec
Toward WA 99 South: South 154th Street, Rental Car ReturnUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
270 ft·9 sec
Toward South 154th Street, International Boulevard
14
Turn right onto South 154th Street
484 ft·15 sec·South 154th Street
15
Turn left onto International Boulevard
0.1 mi·22 sec·International Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto South 152nd Street
211 ft·12 sec·South 152nd Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Military Road South
1.2 mi·2 min·Military Road South
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto South 133rd Street
267 ft·7 sec·South 133rd Street
19
Arrive at destination
South 133rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 51-minute journey, you can easily complete it in a single day, and flexibility is your advantage. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays. Since there's only one recommended stop point, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 101.4 miles on US 97 with a quick fuel or rest break to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches between services.
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 74.1 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 1h 24m 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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.1 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Riverton, 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 148.1 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 74.1 mi from Yakima, WA
· 1h 24m into the drive
The midpoint is around 74.1 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 US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.4 miles.
Arriving in Riverton, WA
The final approach into Riverton, 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 Riverton, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 137.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.00 one way
$61.99 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$32.51
$65.01
premium
$5.77
$33.63
$67.26
diesel
$5.61
$32.70
$65.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.4
0
$15.55
$7.11
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.96
$5.92
EV Truck/SUV
59.2
0
$20.73
$9.48
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Yakima, WA
Morning
in Yakima on Friday
Local time
8:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Riverton, WA
Morning
in Riverton on Friday
Local time
8:05 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Rain
SSW 15 mph97% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 4:28PM PDT until April 14 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 4:28PM PDT until April 14 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
51°F
North Bend, WA
74 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
4 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 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Riverton, WA covers 148.1 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, I 82, I 405. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.1 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 $31.00 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 15 significant decision points across 148.1 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.
On the drive from Yakima, WA to Riverton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Everett along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
