Salmon Creek to Yakima is 193.2 miles and takes about 3h 50m via Columbia River Highway and US 97, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, covering a good distance in under four hours. With 41% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a mix of faster travel and more local roads. The fuel cost is estimated at $40, making it a budget-friendly option for a single-day journey. Consider this a straightforward trip that gets you where you need to go efficiently.
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
96.6 miles from Salmon Creek, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
94.9 mi
1h 48m
US 97
49.8 mi
58m
I 82
16.4 mi
18m
I 205
13.5 mi
17m
Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
2.4 mi
2m
Evergreen Highway
1.8 mi
2m
East Yakima Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
Buena Way
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salmon Creek, WA and Yakima, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Strand Road
264 ft·51 sec·Northeast Strand Road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 20th Avenue
93 ft·5 sec·Northeast 20th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Northeast Highway 99
0.4 mi·43 sec·Northeast Highway 99
4
Continue on Northeast 20th Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Northeast 20th Avenue
5
Turn right onto Northeast 134th Street
162 ft·4 sec·Northeast 134th Street
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 205
14 mi·17 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 22Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 84; US 30
95 mi·1 hr 48 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward US 97: Yakima, Bend
11
Turn left onto US 97
506 ft·8 sec·Sherman Highway
12
Continue on US 97
2.4 mi·2 min·Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 97; WA 14
0.4 mi·26 sec·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
14
Take the exit
8.7 mi·10 min
15
Continue on US 97
50 mi·58 min·US 97
16
Continue on WA 22
0.7 mi·1 min·South Elm Street
17
Continue on WA 22
0.8 mi·1 min·Buena Way
18
Continue on WA 22
1.8 mi·2 min·Evergreen Highway
19
Continue on WA 22
0.1 mi·11 sec·Buena Road
20
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
21
Merge onto I 82; US 12
16 mi·18 min·I 82; US 12
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward Yakima Avenue
24
Turn straight onto East Yakima Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·East Yakima Avenue
25
Turn left onto South 1st Street
75 ft·2 sec·South 1st Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip of just under four hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever is most convenient. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 94.9 miles on the Columbia River Highway, so plan for a fuel stop before or during that segment if you're concerned about range. With an estimated fuel cost of $40, it's a relatively inexpensive journey. Keep an eye on road conditions, especially if traveling during inclement weather, as the Columbia River Highway can be more exposed. A single stop should be sufficient for this distance.
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 96.6 miles from Salmon Creek, WA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.6 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 3h 6m
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 Salmon Creek, 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 Salmon Creek, WA
This is one driving day of about 193.2 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Salmon Creek, 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 Columbia River Highway for about 94.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 14.5 — 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|Northeast 20th Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast 20th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|Northeast 134th Street
Turn right onto Northeast 134th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 205 South: Salem
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|I 205
Merge onto I 205
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14.5 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
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 22
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.44 one way
$80.87 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$42.41
$84.81
premium
$5.77
$43.87
$87.75
diesel
$5.61
$42.66
$85.31
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: 67.6 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
58
0
$20.29
$9.27
Efficient EV
48.3
0
$16.90
$7.73
EV Truck/SUV
77.3
0
$27.05
$12.36
Gas CO2
68 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Salmon Creek, WA
Evening
in Salmon Creek on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yakima, WA
Evening
in Yakima on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
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
2 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 50m 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?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 41% of the route being on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 94.9 miles on the Columbia River Highway, which likely means a more scenic and potentially slower pace for that segment. The remainder of the trip incorporates US 97 and I 82, suggesting periods of higher-speed driving. The road character shifts as you progress, moving from potentially winding highway sections to straighter, faster interstate travel. Expect a varied drive that keeps you engaged without being overly demanding.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.9 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northeast 20th Avenue.
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 193.2 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.1 miles (Northeast 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Northeast 134th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: 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 Salmon Creek, WA to Yakima, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bend along the way.
Bend
110.1 mi in|~2h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 193.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on Columbia River Highway. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Northeast 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Northeast 134th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Yakima, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
