This 148-mile drive from Riverton, WA to Yakima, WA takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, making it a convenient one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with about 97% of the route being on interstates and major US highways like I-90 and US-97. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $31. Given its relatively short duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stop. This route offers a straightforward travel experience across the Pacific Coast region.
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
74 miles from Riverton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
US 97
31.3 mi
34m
I 405
10.5 mi
13m
North 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Military Road South
1.2 mi
2m
WA 518
1.2 mi
1m
International Boulevard
0.3 mi
<1m
Selah Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverton, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on South 133rd Street
267 ft·13 sec·South 133rd Street
2
Turn left onto Military Road South
1.2 mi·2 min·Military Road South
3
Turn left onto South 152nd Street
176 ft·12 sec·South 152nd Street
4
Turn right onto International Boulevard
0.3 mi·36 sec·International Boulevard
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward WA 518 East: RentonUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto WA 518
0.9 mi·1 min·WA 518
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518
0.3 mi·22 sec·WA 518
Toward I 405 North: RentonUse the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 405
10 mi·13 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 11Toward I 90: Seattle, SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
314 ft·4 sec
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·26 sec
15
Continue on WA 823
0.1 mi·13 sec·Selah Road
16
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·North 1st Street
17
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under three hours, this route offers flexibility; consider an early morning departure to maximize your day in Yakima. You'll have one main stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low. The estimated fuel cost is $31, so budget for that and any additional snacks or drinks. Since this is a straightforward drive, you can easily complete it in one day without feeling rushed.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74 miles from Riverton, WA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74 miles or 1h 26m 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 19m
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 Riverton, 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 Riverton, WA
This is one driving day of about 148 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Riverton, 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 100.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 114.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|International Boulevard
Turn right onto International Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in|WA 518
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518 toward I 405 North: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 North: Renton
8
13.6 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
7
13.9 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
$30.98 one way
$61.95 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$32.48
$64.97
premium
$5.77
$33.61
$67.22
diesel
$5.61
$32.68
$65.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.4
0
$15.54
$7.10
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.95
$5.92
EV Truck/SUV
59.2
0
$20.72
$9.47
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Riverton, WA
Morning
in Riverton on Tuesday
Local time
8:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Morning
in Yakima on Tuesday
Local time
8:51 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
12 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
2h 50m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 10.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 97% of the mileage occurring on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90, providing a consistent, high-speed experience for a substantial portion of your journey. The route primarily utilizes I-90, US-97, and I-405, indicating a consistent pace and limited exposure to slower, local roads. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency and ease of navigation.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1.3 miles in near International Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
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 12 significant decision points across 148 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 1.3 miles (International Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Riverton, WA to Yakima, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Spokane along the way.
Yakima is the principal city of the Yakima Valley, an agricultural region noted for apple, wine, and hop production on the Columbia River Plateau of Washington State. It is the county seat of Yakima County.
This article also covers the nearby communities of Union Gap and Selah.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 148 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 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. 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 1.3 miles (International Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Yakima, WA before heading back.
