Yakima, WA to Canterwood, WA is 169.5 miles and takes about 3h 23m via US 97 and I-82, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Washington, taking you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast. It's a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Consider this drive if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two points without a lot of complex navigation.
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
84.8 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
WA 16
8.8 mi
11m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
South 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest
1 mi
1m
Peacock Hill Road Northwest
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~6,616 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~759 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yakima, WA and Canterwood, WA.
1
Start on South 1st Street
1.6 mi·3 min·South 1st Street
2
Continue on Selah Road
0.1 mi·12 sec·Selah Road
3
Take the ramp
111 ft·2 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
5
Merge onto I 82; US 97
30 mi·32 min·I 82; US 97
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
10
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
14
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·I 5
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 132BToward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto WA 16
8.8 mi·11 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Wollochet Drive Northwest, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on Stinson Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Stinson Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto Stinson Avenue
61 ft·2 sec·Stinson Avenue
22
Continue on Stinson Avenue
0.2 mi·30 sec·Stinson Avenue
23
Enter roundabout onto Harborview Drive
85 ft·5 sec·Harborview Drive
24
Continue on Harborview Drive
0.4 mi·44 sec·Harborview Drive
25
Continue on North Harborview Drive
0.3 mi·38 sec·North Harborview Drive
26
Turn left onto Peacock Hill Avenue
0.6 mi·59 sec·Peacock Hill Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on Peacock Hill Road Northwest
0.2 mi·23 sec·Peacock Hill Road Northwest
28
Continue on Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest
29
Enter roundabout onto Peacock Hill Road Northwest
77 ft·1 sec·Peacock Hill Road Northwest
30
Continue on Peacock Hill Road Northwest
0.7 mi·1 min·Peacock Hill Road Northwest
31
Continue on Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest
0.4 mi·40 sec·Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest
32
Arrive at destination
Peacock Hill Avenue Northwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1-day drive of just over 3 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start can help you avoid potential traffic. The longest stretch without a stop is over 85 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially as the total fuel cost is estimated at $35. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before embarking on the 85.7-mile segment on US 97.
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 84.8 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.8 miles or 1h 35m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canterwood, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yakima, 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 Yakima, WA
This is one driving day of about 169.5 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Yakima, 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 US 97 for about 85.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.3 and 155.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
32.3 mi into trip|~37m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
7
118 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
118.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
8
146 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
155.4 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.56 one way
$75.11 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$39.41
$78.81
premium
$6.08
$40.57
$81.15
diesel
$5.35
$35.70
$71.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.9
0
$17.80
$8.14
Efficient EV
42.4
0
$14.83
$6.78
EV Truck/SUV
67.8
0
$23.73
$10.85
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Yakima, WA
Afternoon
in Yakima on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Mostly Clear
NW 6 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 8:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Canterwood, WA
Afternoon
in Canterwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:56 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
NE 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 8:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
51°F
Hobart, WA
85 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
3 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 23m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 134.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 95% highway-focused drive on this trip, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of your journey. You'll encounter one long stretch of 85.7 miles on US 97, which will likely be your most uninterrupted segment. The route primarily utilizes US 97 and I-82, suggesting a consistent pace and limited need for lower-speed local roads. This profile indicates a drive where you can maintain steady progress and cover significant distance efficiently.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.7 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.3 miles in near US 97.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 169.5 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 32.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,635 ft321 ft
Total Climb
3,107 ft
Total Descent
3,830 ft
Highest Point
2,635 ft
~24.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,314 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yakima, WA and Canterwood, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Bremerton.
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.
Top landmarks
•Capitol Theatre, Yakima — theater and performing arts center in Yakima, Washington, United States
•A. E. Larson Building — building in Yakima, Washington, United States
•E. William Brackett House — house in Yakima, Washington
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 169.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m 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 85.7 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Canterwood, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Canterwood, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
