Origin
Medical Lake, WA
Late night in Medical Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medical Lake, 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 36m
Distance
192.6 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 24m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
4h 0m
8 PM
3h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medical Lake, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 192.6-mile journey from Medical Lake, WA, to Yakima, WA, which will take approximately 3 hours and 36 minutes of driving time. This route is designed for a single day of travel, making it an easy day trip without the need for an overnight stop. You'll primarily navigate on major highways, including I-90 and I-82, with a small portion on South Salnave Road, totaling 95% highway driving. Expect a fuel cost of around $40 for this trip. The overall feel of this drive is efficient and direct, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region of Washington.
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
96.3 miles from Medical Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 152.7 mi | 2h 43m |
| I 82 | 30.2 mi | 32m |
| South Salnave Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| North 1st Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Lefevre Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| State Route 902 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Selah Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Lake Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 152.7 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medical Lake, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on East Lake Street
125 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Lake Street
2
Turn left onto WA 902
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lefevre Street
3
Continue on WA 902
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 902
4
Continue on WA 902
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Salnave Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Seattle
6
Merge onto I 90; US 395
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90; US 395
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
110 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 90
8
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
9
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 82; US 97
10
Take the exit
314 ft
·
4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
12
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Selah Road
13
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Street
14
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 36 minutes, this route offers flexibility for departure times. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Yakima with plenty of daylight. With only one suggested stop and a manageable 192.6 miles, you can easily complete this drive without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-90; planning your fuel stop before this segment will ensure a smooth continuation of your journey. The estimated fuel cost of $40 is a helpful budget point to consider.
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 96.3 miles from Medical Lake, WA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.7 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.3 miles or 1h 49m 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 55m
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 Medical Lake, 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 Medical Lake, WA
This is one driving day of about 192.6 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Medical Lake, 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 152.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.3 miles from Medical Lake, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 190.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 902 / South Lefevre Street
Turn left onto WA 902 / South Lefevre Street
Navigation decision point
4
6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the ramp toward Seattle
Navigation decision point
Toward Seattle
5
158.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
190.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m 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
190.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.31 one way
$80.62 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $42.27 | $84.55 |
| premium | $5.77 | $43.74 | $87.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.52 | $85.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.22 | $9.24 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.85 | $7.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77 | 0 | $26.96 | $12.33 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Yakima, WA
Late night in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Rock Island, WA
96 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
2 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 36m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-90 and I-82. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 152.7 miles on I-90, allowing for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. The road's personality is characterized by its efficiency and ease of navigation, making it ideal for covering distance quickly. While mostly highway, a brief segment on South Salnave Road offers a slight change of pace before rejoining the interstate system.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 902 / South Lefevre Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 192.6 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (WA 902 / South Lefevre Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 158.9 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 3h 36m. Total distance: 192.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.7 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WA 902 / South Lefevre Street): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 158.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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