Spanning 213.6 miles, this journey from Anacortes to Yakima is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete. Because the route is highly efficient, it is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, though you should budget approximately $45 for fuel. You will transition from the Pacific Coast region, relying heavily on a combination of I-5, I-90, and US-97 to reach your destination. While the drive is purely functional, its predictability makes it a reliable choice for those looking to traverse the state without unnecessary complications. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused path provides a clear, no-nonsense connection between your starting point and Yakima.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.8 miles from Anacortes, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 5
42.9 mi
50m
US 97
31.3 mi
34m
I 405
18 mi
22m
State Route 20
7 mi
9m
WA 536
5.4 mi
10m
State Route 20 Spur
2.5 mi
3m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anacortes, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on WA 20 SPUR
11 ft·4 sec·12th Street
2
Turn right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.6 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
3
Turn left onto 22nd Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·22nd Street
4
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
13 ft·0 sec·R Avenue
5
Continue on R Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·R Avenue
6
Turn left onto R Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·R Avenue
7
Keep slight right at fork onto R Avenue
0.3 mi·45 sec·R Avenue
8
Take the ramp
215 ft·5 sec
9
Merge onto WA 20 SPUR
2.5 mi·3 min·State Route 20 Spur
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto WA 20
167 ft·2 sec·State Route 20
11
Continue on WA 20
7.0 mi·9 min·State Route 20
12
Take the exit onto WA 536
5.4 mi·10 min·WA 536
Toward Mount VernonUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto WA 536
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Kincaid Street
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
15
Merge onto I 5
43 mi·50 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 97
31 mi·34 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
314 ft·4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
25
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi·13 sec·Selah Road
26
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
27
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 15-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion on the major interstates. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the journey. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge, as the $45 fuel estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current prices. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic on I-90. Always check road conditions for US-97, as mountain passes or regional weather can occasionally impact travel times on this specific stretch.
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 106.8 miles from Anacortes, WA, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 47 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yakima, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anacortes, 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 Anacortes, WA
This is one driving day of about 213.6 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Anacortes, 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 I 90 for about 100.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 11 and 180.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11 mi into trip|~17m in|WA 536
Take the exit onto WA 536 toward Mount Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Mount Vernon
8
59.9 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
8
78.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
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 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
79.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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 I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.61 one way
$83.22 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$43.59
$87.19
premium
$5.39
$45.34
$90.67
diesel
$4.80
$40.33
$80.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.1
0
$22.43
$10.25
Efficient EV
53.4
0
$18.69
$8.54
EV Truck/SUV
85.4
1
$29.90
$13.67
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Anacortes, WA
Late night
in Anacortes on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
WSW 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Yakima, WA
Late night
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
3:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
54°F
North Bend, WA
107 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
21 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
4h 15m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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 73.6
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 97% of the journey spent on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, especially during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 100.5 miles along I-90. Expect a mix of high-speed interstate travel that eventually transitions into the thoroughfares of US-97. The road maintains a consistent, highway-focused character throughout, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads. Behind the wheel, you will notice a steady transition in the landscape as you move away from the coast and toward the interior, with the interstate environment providing a stable and focused driving experience.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11 miles in near WA 536.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 213.6 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 11 miles (WA 536): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,972 ft1 ft
Total Climb
4,200 ft
Total Descent
3,152 ft
Highest Point
2,972 ft
~122 mi in
Elevation Range
2,971 ft
Notable High Points
2,249 ft at ~198.3 miles+806 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anacortes, WA and Yakima, WA, road signs point toward Mount Vernon, Renton and Seattle.
Anacortes is a city in the northwest region of Washington State. It's the ferry terminal gateway to the San Juan Islands. It is the only city on Fidalgo Island, which is separated from the mainland by the narrow Swinomish Channel. The island also includes the north section of Deception Pass State Park, and the Swinomish Indian Reservation.
Top landmarks
•WT Preston — American steamship
•Wilson Hotel — hotel in Anacortes, United States of America
Yakima is the principal city of the Yakima Valley, an agricultural region noted for apple, wine, and hop production on the Columbia River Plateau of Washington State. It is the county seat of Yakima County.
This article also covers the nearby communities of Union Gap and Selah.
Top landmarks
•Capitol Theatre, Yakima — theater and performing arts center in Yakima, Washington, United States
•A. E. Larson Building — building in Yakima, Washington, United States
•E. William Brackett House — house in Yakima, Washington
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 213.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Yakima, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11 miles (WA 536): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and San Juan Island National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Yakima, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
