Spanning 202.1 miles, the trek from Burlington to Yakima is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Because this route is entirely within Washington state, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing a combination of I-5, I-90, and US-97, you move efficiently across the state. This drive is ideal for travelers who want a direct, highway-focused transit between these two points without the need for complex detours or multi-day planning.
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
101 miles from Burlington, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 5
46.6 mi
55m
US 97
31.3 mi
34m
I 405
18 mi
22m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
East Fairhaven Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
State Route 20
0.3 mi
<1m
South Burlington Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on East Fairhaven Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·East Fairhaven Avenue
2
Turn left onto WA 20
0.3 mi·28 sec·South Burlington Boulevard
3
Turn right onto WA 20
0.2 mi·25 sec·West Rio Vista Avenue
4
Continue on WA 20
0.3 mi·53 sec·State Route 20
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 5
47 mi·55 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Take the exit
314 ft·4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
16
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi·13 sec·Selah Road
17
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
18
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 55 minute travel time, aim to depart early in the day to navigate the highway segments comfortably. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever it suits your schedule. Since the longest stretch covers 100.5 miles on I-90, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting that segment to avoid any unnecessary stops in the middle of a long run. Keep in mind that your total fuel budget is $42, so planning your refueling around that estimate will help keep your trip logistics simple. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the advantage of being able to reach Yakima by the afternoon if you leave Burlington in the morning.
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 101 miles from Burlington, WA, or about 2h 1m 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 44 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 2h 1m 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 13m
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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, WA
This is one driving day of about 202.1 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Burlington, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.4 and 168.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
48.4 mi into trip|~59m 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
6
50.2 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
67.3 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 17m 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
$42.30 one way
$84.60 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$44.36
$88.72
premium
$5.77
$45.89
$91.79
diesel
$5.61
$44.62
$89.24
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: 70.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.6
0
$21.22
$9.70
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.68
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.29
$12.93
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Burlington, WA
Late night
in Burlington on Tuesday
Local time
3:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Late night
in Yakima on Tuesday
Local time
3:38 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Monroe, WA
101 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
3 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 55m 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.
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
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 62.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 97% of this drive is spent on highways. The route features a significant, uninterrupted 100.5-mile stretch along I-90, allowing you to settle into a consistent driving rhythm for a large portion of the trip. While the transition between major interstates and US-97 shifts the scenery, the road remains focused on speed and connectivity rather than winding backroads. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel on major thoroughfares, making this a practical choice for those who prioritize travel time over technical driving. It is a predictable, interstate-heavy transit that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal interruptions.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
9/10
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 48.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 202.1 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 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.2 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burlington, WA and Yakima, WA, road signs point toward Renton and Seattle.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 202.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m 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.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.2 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.3 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Yakima, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
