DuPont, WA to Yakima, WA is 169.4 miles and takes about 3h 19m via I 90, US 97, and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that keeps you within Washington state the entire time, moving from the Pacific Coast region inland. With nearly all of the route on major highways, it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Expect a mostly consistent travel experience, making it ideal for a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
84.7 miles from DuPont, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
84.5 mi
1h 33m
US 97
31.3 mi
34m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
I 5
22.6 mi
28m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Barksdale Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
Selah Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DuPont, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on Hercules Street
47 ft·7 sec·Hercules Street
2
Turn left onto Barksdale Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Barksdale Avenue
3
Continue on Locust Road
499 ft·13 sec·Locust Road
4
Turn left onto I 5
14 mi·18 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
10
Merge onto I 90
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
314 ft·4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
14
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi·13 sec·Selah Road
15
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
16
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 19m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. However, starting earlier in the day will give you more buffer time for any unexpected traffic, especially as you begin on State Route 18. Plan for one primary stop, possibly around the midpoint, to break up the drive and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services could be substantial, and factor in the estimated $35 fuel cost for your budget.
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 84.7 miles from DuPont, WA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.7 miles or 1h 43m 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 43m
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 DuPont, 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 DuPont, WA
This is one driving day of about 169.4 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from DuPont, 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 84.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.9 and 136.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.9 mi into trip|~19m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
23.1 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
5
23.6 mi into trip|~30m in|WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
51.6 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
136.1 mi into trip|~2h 40m 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
$35.45 one way
$70.91 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$37.18
$74.36
premium
$5.77
$38.47
$76.94
diesel
$5.61
$37.40
$74.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.8
0
$17.79
$8.13
Efficient EV
42.4
0
$14.82
$6.78
EV Truck/SUV
67.8
0
$23.72
$10.84
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 15, 2026
Origin
DuPont, WA
Afternoon
in DuPont on Sunday
Local time
12:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Afternoon
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
12:36 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
13 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
3h 19m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey utilizing major highways like I 90. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 84.5-mile segment on I 90. The character of the drive is primarily one of consistent speed and efficient travel, rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a predictable road feel for the majority of your trip, with minimal deviations into slower, local roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 14.9 miles in near I 5.
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 10 significant decision points across 169.4 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 14.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 DuPont, WA to Yakima, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
Muckleshoot Reservation
23.1 mi in|~29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 169.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m 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 84.5 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 14.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.6 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Yakima, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
