Trip from Fox Island, WA to Yakima, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 31m

Distance

172.2 mi

277 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 19m ★

6 AM

3h 31m

8 AM

3h 56m

10 AM

3h 40m

12 PM

3h 37m

3 PM

3h 41m

5 PM

3h 55m

8 PM

3h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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census designated place in Washington, United States

Fox Island, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 172.2-mile drive from Fox Island, WA, to Yakima, WA, is a straightforward, one-day trip taking about 3 hours and 31 minutes. It's a highway-focused journey, with 93% of the route on major roads, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, which is quite budget-friendly for a day trip. You'll primarily be on I-90, US-97, and State Route 18. Given the relatively short duration and highway nature, this route is perfectly suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pace.

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

86.1 miles from Fox Island, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m 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	8.5 mi	10m
WA 16	7.9 mi	10m
North 1st Street	1.6 mi	3m
Wollochet Drive Northwest	1 mi	2m
Warren Drive Northwest	1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fox Island, WA and Yakima, WA.

Start on 7th Lane

0.4 mi · 1 min · 7th Lane

Turn left onto Fox Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · Fox Drive

At end of road, turn right onto Island Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Island Boulevard

Continue on 3rd Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue

Continue on Fox Island Bridge

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Fox Island Bridge

Continue on Warren Drive Northwest

1.0 mi · 2 min · Warren Drive Northwest

Turn left onto 70th Avenue Northwest

0.5 mi · 1 min · 70th Avenue Northwest

Turn right onto 40th Street Northwest

0.7 mi · 1 min · 40th Street Northwest

Continue on Wollochet Drive Northwest

1.0 mi · 2 min · Wollochet Drive Northwest

Use the straight lane.

Turn slight right

456 ft · 20 sec

Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto Fillmore Drive Northwest

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Fillmore Drive Northwest

Continue on 56th Street Northwest

0.9 mi · 1 min · 56th Street Northwest

Turn straight onto Olympic Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · Olympic Drive

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward WA 16 East: Tacoma Use the right lane.

Merge onto WA 16

7.9 mi · 10 min · WA 16

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 5

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

8.2 mi · 10 min · I 5

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto WA 18

27 mi · 34 min · State Route 18

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on WA 18

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 East: Spokane

Merge onto I 90

85 mi · 1 hr 33 min · I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 97

31 mi · 34 min · US 97

Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

314 ft · 4 sec

Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Continue on WA 823

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Selah Road

Continue on North 1st Street

1.6 mi · 3 min · North 1st Street

Arrive at destination

South 1st Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 31-minute drive, a morning departure from Fox Island is ideal, allowing you to reach Yakima with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a highway share of 93%, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is reasonable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to your transitions between I-90, US-97, and State Route 18, as these are the main points where your driving experience will change.

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 86.1 miles from Fox Island, WA, or about 1h 54m 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 38 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.1 miles or 1h 54m 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 54m

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 Fox Island, 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 Fox Island, WA

This is one driving day of about 172.2 miles and 3h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Fox Island, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Redmond, WA

86 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Kent, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

North Bend, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.1 miles from Fox Island, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ellensburg, Washington

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 135.3

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15099252327

Visit website

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ellensburg, Washington

1.7 mi

Cactus Restaurant Proctor

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tacoma, Washington

2 mi

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 135.3

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15099252327

Visit website

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 135.3

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15099685441

Visit website

Cactus Restaurant Proctor

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 12.3

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+12534589900

Visit website

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 12.3

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12537567886

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 12.3

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12534733078

Visit website

Cafe Seoul

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.6

Federal Way, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12064605185

Visit website

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 12.3

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12532373403

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 135.3

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 135.3

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Circle K Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 135.3

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 110.7

Cle Elum, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Fox Island Historical Society

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fox Island, Washington

Hours: Closed

+12535492461

Visit website

Dick and Jane's Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 135.3

Ellensburg, Washington

+15099253224

Visit website

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 12.3

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm

+12534043800

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 12.3

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12534043939

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 16.4 and 138.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

16.4 mi into trip | ~29m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

17.3 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 5 North: Seattle

17.7 mi into trip | ~31m 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.

25.9 mi into trip | ~41m 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...

138.9 mi into trip | ~2h 52m 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

$36.04 one way

$72.08 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$37.80	$75.59
premium	$5.77	$39.10	$78.21
diesel	$5.61	$38.02	$76.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.7	$18.08	$8.27
Efficient EV	43.1	$15.07	$6.89
EV Truck/SUV	68.9	$24.11	$11.02

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 15, 2026

Origin

Fox Island, WA

Morning in Fox Island on Sunday

Local time

10:29 AM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yakima, WA

Morning in Yakima on Sunday

Local time

10:29 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

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 31m 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...

19 mi from route ~49 min detour Free near mile 41.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 172.2-mile trip, with 93% of your journey on major roadways. The drive features a significant 84.5-mile stretch on I-90, offering a chance for consistent speed. While much of the route is on interstates and highways, there are transitions between I-90, US-97, and State Route 18. This mix means you'll encounter varied highway environments as you move between these key arteries, so keep an eye on your navigation as you switch roads.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 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?

10/10

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 16.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 172.2 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 16.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles (I 5): 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 Fox Island, WA to Yakima, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.

Muckleshoot Reservation

25.9 mi in | ~41m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 172.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). 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.

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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Yakima, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Fox Island, WA or browse trips ending in Yakima, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.

Trip from Fox Island, WA to Yakima, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Palace Cafe

Palace Cafe

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

Cactus Restaurant Proctor

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

Chuck E. Cheese

Cafe Seoul

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

Rainier Valley Coffee Co.

Pilot EV Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Circle K Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Fox Island Historical Society

Dick and Jane's Spot

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Edgewood Community Park

Escape the Maddness

Escape Hour Gig Harbor

Children's Museum of Tacoma

STAR Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fox Island, WA

Yakima, WA

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 31m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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