If you are looking to travel from Moses Lake to Yakima, you are looking at a straightforward 101.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to complete without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $21 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Because the route is highly efficient, it serves as a reliable connection between these two cities. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a predictable and practical travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.8 miles from Moses Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 171
65.3 mi
1h 10m
I 82
30.2 mi
32m
West Broadway Avenue
2.7 mi
4m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Selah Road
0.1 mi
<1m
South Division Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
South 1st Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
WA 171
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moses Lake, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on South Division Street
395 ft·16 sec·South Division Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist
2.7 mi·4 min·West Broadway Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto WA 171; I 90 Bus
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·WA 171; I 90 Bus
4
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
5
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi·32 min·I 82; US 97
6
Take the exit
314 ft·4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
8
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi·13 sec·Selah Road
9
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
10
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for major stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Moses Lake is a smart move to ensure you stay within your $21 estimate. Because the majority of your time is spent on I-82 and WA 171, keep your focus on highway traffic patterns rather than local navigation. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the busiest commuting windows. The most important tip for this specific drive is to prepare for the long, 65.3-mile stretch on WA 171 by ensuring you have your music or podcasts queued up before you merge onto 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 50.8 miles from Moses Lake, WA, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.8 miles or 56m 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 32m
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 Moses Lake, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Moses Lake, WA
This is one driving day of about 101.7 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Moses Lake, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on WA 171 for about 65.3 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 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 99.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist / West Broadway Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist / West Broadway Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|WA 171; I 90 Bus
Take the ramp onto WA 171; I 90 Bus
Navigation decision point
5
68 mi into trip|~1h 14m 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
99.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
99.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.28 one way
$42.57 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$22.32
$44.64
premium
$5.77
$23.09
$46.19
diesel
$5.61
$22.45
$44.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.5
0
$10.68
$4.88
Efficient EV
25.4
0
$8.90
$4.07
EV Truck/SUV
40.7
0
$14.24
$6.51
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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 14, 2026
Origin
Moses Lake, WA
Late night
in Moses Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Late night
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
SW 14 to 18 mph24% chanceLive 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
11 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
1h 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as 94% of your time will be spent on highways like WA 171 and I-82. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 65.3 miles on WA 171. The route keeps you moving at a consistent pace rather than forcing you to navigate complex local roads or frequent turns. While the transition from West Broadway Avenue onto the larger highway system is simple, the character of the road remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a no-nonsense, highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical challenges.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on WA 171.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 171 and I 82. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist / West Broadway Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Moses Lake, WA to Yakima, WA is easy. At 1h 54m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist / West Broadway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (WA 171; I 90 Bus): Navigation decision point; at 68 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 1h 54m. Total distance: 101.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on WA 171. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist / West Broadway Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (WA 171; I 90 Bus): Navigation decision point; at 68 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.
