Connecting the East Wenatchee Bench to Yakima, this 114.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Washington state. You can comfortably complete the 2-hour and 17-minute drive in a single day, making it an ideal choice for travelers who prefer to reach their destination without an overnight stop. Expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including State Route 28, I-90, and I-82. Because the entire trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, the transition between these two points is consistent and manageable for a quick getaway or a necessary commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.1 miles from East Wenatchee Bench, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
38.8 mi
41m
I 82
30.2 mi
32m
State Route 28
26 mi
33m
White Trail Road
8.8 mi
12m
State Route 281
5.4 mi
7m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
9th Street Northeast
0.7 mi
1m
Eastmont Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 38.8 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Wenatchee Bench, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on Eastmont Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Eastmont Avenue
2
Turn right onto 9th Street Northeast
0.7 mi·1 min·9th Street Northeast
3
At end of road, turn left onto WA 28
0.1 mi·11 sec·Sunset Highway
4
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 28
26 mi·33 min·State Route 28
5
Enter roundabout onto White Trail Road
15 ft·0 sec·White Trail Road
6
Continue on White Trail Road
8.8 mi·12 min·White Trail Road
7
Turn right onto WA 281
5.4 mi·7 min·State Route 281
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 90 West
9
Merge onto I 90
39 mi·41 min·I 90
10
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
11
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi·32 min·I 82; US 97
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
Since the trip is relatively short at just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Aim to check traffic conditions on I-90 and I-82 before you head out, as these primary arteries can experience varying congestion levels depending on the time of day. Given the $24 estimated fuel cost, it is wise to fill up before leaving East Wenatchee Bench to avoid potential price fluctuations on the road. Because there are no designated stops included in this itinerary, consider keeping snacks and water in the car to maintain your momentum. Most importantly, stay alert during the 38.8-mile stretch on I-90, as maintaining focus is key during these longer, repetitive segments of the highway.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.1 miles from East Wenatchee Bench, WA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
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 East Wenatchee Bench, 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 East Wenatchee Bench, WA
This is one driving day of about 114.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from East Wenatchee Bench, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 38.8 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 1.1 and 112.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|WA 28 / Sunset Highway
At end of road, turn left onto WA 28 / Sunset Highway
Navigation decision point
5
41.5 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 West
5
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
5
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
5
112.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.90 one way
$47.80 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$25.07
$50.13
premium
$5.77
$25.93
$51.87
diesel
$5.61
$25.21
$50.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.3
0
$11.99
$5.48
Efficient EV
28.6
0
$9.99
$4.57
EV Truck/SUV
45.7
0
$15.99
$7.31
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
East Wenatchee Bench, WA
Morning
in East Wenatchee Bench on Sunday
Local time
7:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Morning
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
7:58 AM
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
28 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 17m 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 88% of the journey spent on highways, this route is built for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering. You will find yourself cruising along fast, well-maintained lanes for the majority of the 114.2 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 38.8 miles on I-90, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. While the highway-focused nature of the trip ensures a predictable pace, you should be prepared for the typical flow of interstate traffic. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads.
88% 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: 38.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near WA 28 / Sunset Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (WA 28 / Sunset Highway): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 114.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.8 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (WA 28 / Sunset Highway): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Yakima, WA before heading back.
