Connecting Burien to Yakima requires a straightforward 149.2-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Because this route is entirely focused on major highways, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $31 on fuel for the excursion, making it a budget-friendly option for travel across the state. By utilizing I-405, I-90, and US-97, you will transition from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior. It is a practical, efficient path that prioritizes speed and accessibility over winding backroads.
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
74.6 miles from Burien, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
US 97
31.3 mi
34m
I 405
10.5 mi
13m
State Route 518
3.4 mi
4m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Southwest 148th Street
0.6 mi
1m
WA 518
0.3 mi
<1m
Selah Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burien, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on Southwest 148th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Southwest 148th Street
2
Continue on WA 518
3.4 mi·4 min·State Route 518
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518
0.3 mi·22 sec·WA 518
Toward I 405 North: RentonUse the slight left lane.
4
Continue on I 405
10 mi·13 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 11Toward I 90: Seattle, SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
314 ft·4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
11
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi·13 sec·Selah Road
12
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
13
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around traffic patterns or personal preference. I recommend scheduling at least one stop during the 149.2-mile trek to break up the monotony of the highway-heavy driving. Be mindful that the longest stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90 accounts for the majority of your time, so check for potential congestion on that corridor before you head out. Because the route is so efficient, you can comfortably leave in the morning and reach Yakima with plenty of time left in your day. Keep your fuel budget of $31 in mind while planning your stops along the interstate sections.
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 74.6 miles from Burien, WA, or about 1h 26m 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 33 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m
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 Burien, 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 Burien, WA
This is one driving day of about 149.2 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Burien, 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 115.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4 mi into trip|~5m in|WA 518
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518 toward I 405 North: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 North: Renton
8
14.8 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
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: Seattle, Spokane
7
15 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
5
15.4 mi into trip|~20m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
115.9 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
$31.23 one way
$62.45 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$32.75
$65.50
premium
$5.77
$33.88
$67.76
diesel
$5.61
$32.94
$65.88
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: 52.2 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
44.8
0
$15.67
$7.16
Efficient EV
37.3
0
$13.05
$5.97
EV Truck/SUV
59.7
0
$20.89
$9.55
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 19, 2026
Origin
Burien, WA
Afternoon
in Burien on Sunday
Local time
1:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Afternoon
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
1:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 98% of your travel occurring on highways, this route is defined by high-speed, consistent driving rather than technical maneuvers. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which features a long, 100.5-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of the trip. The transition between these major arteries keeps the drive feeling productive and steady from start to finish. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a primary interstate experience that shifts into the highway character of US-97 as you approach your destination. It is a focused, interstate-heavy drive that rewards those who prefer predictable road conditions.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near WA 518.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 7 significant decision points across 149.2 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 4 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Burien, WA to Yakima, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Spokane along the way.
Spokane
14.8 mi in|~19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 149.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
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 4 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Yakima, WA before heading back.
