Yakima to Colville is 273.6 miles and takes about 5h 18m via I 90, US 395, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the same region. Expect a mostly highway drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. The route is practical for getting from point A to point B without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
136.8 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
169.2 mi
3h 1m
US 395
49.3 mi
1h 1m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
North Division Street
15.1 mi
19m
US 2
6.3 mi
15m
South 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
South Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Selah Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 169.2 mi, about 3h 1m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~620 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,028
Quietest
1 AM
~58 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
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 Colville, 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 right at fork
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
7
Merge onto I 90
166 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 90
8
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
2.9 mi·3 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
9
Take the exit onto US 2; US 395
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 2; US 395
Toward US 395 North, US 2 East: Colville, Newport
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 395
6.1 mi·14 min·US 2; US 395
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
15 mi·19 min·North Division Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 395
128 ft·1 sec·US 395
13
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·US 395
14
Enter roundabout onto US 395
125 ft·1 sec·US 395
15
Continue on US 395
10 mi·12 min·US 395
16
Turn slight right
188 ft·2 sec
17
Enter roundabout
108 ft·1 sec
18
Continue
254 ft·3 sec
19
Turn straight onto US 395
38 mi·47 min·US 395
20
Turn slight right
95 ft·1 sec
21
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
198 ft·2 sec·South Main Street
22
Continue on South Main Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Main Street
23
Turn right onto WA 20
68 ft·2 sec·East 3rd Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
WA 20
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in one day. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, especially for fuel and restrooms before you depart Yakima. With a fuel cost estimate of $61, be sure to check your fuel gauge before leaving. The majority of this route is on I 90, so be aware of potential traffic or construction delays on that segment before you head out.
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 136.8 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 169.2 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 60 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.8 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colville, 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 273.6 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 I 90 for about 169.2 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 1.7 and 272.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
32.3 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 East: Vantage, Spokane
5
202.1 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|US 2; US 395
Take the exit onto US 2; US 395 toward US 395 North, US 2 East: Colville, Newport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 North, US 2 East: Colville, Newpo...
6
208.4 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|US 395 / North Division Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 / North Division Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
272.9 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.30 one way
$106.60 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$55.84
$111.68
premium
$5.39
$58.07
$116.14
diesel
$4.80
$51.66
$103.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Efficient EV
68.4
0
$23.94
$10.94
EV Truck/SUV
109.4
1
$38.30
$17.51
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Yakima, WA
Late night
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Clear
N 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Colville, WA
Late night
in Colville on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Patchy Smoke
SE 1 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
4 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
5h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
The ancient geologic landscape of the upper Columbia River cradles Lake Roosevelt in walls of stone carved by massive ice age floods. Come explore the shorelines and learn the stories of American Indi...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 254.7
Park Closure: Fort Spokane Museum and Visitor Center to Close for Repairs
Park Closure: Hawk Creek Area Closed for 2026 Recreation Season
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 93% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major routes. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 169.2 miles on I 90. You'll experience mostly highway cruising until you transition off these major interstates onto surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect a significant amount of time on high-speed roads with fewer exits.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 169.2 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 395. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
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 273.6 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 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.1 miles (US 2; US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,411 ft589 ft
Total Climb
3,183 ft
Total Descent
2,638 ft
Highest Point
2,411 ft
~234.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,822 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 Colville, WA, road signs point toward Spokane and Newport.
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 5h 18m. Total distance: 273.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 169.2 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Colville, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.1 miles (US 2; US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colville, WA before the return drive.
