Yakima to Port Angeles is 260.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m via US 97 and Olympic Highway, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Washington's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive that's mostly highway miles. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll find it's a practical option if you're looking to get from central Washington to the Olympic Peninsula efficiently. The route is designed for completion within a single day, making it a convenient choice for many travelers.
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
130.1 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
Olympic Highway
34.7 mi
51m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
WA 16
28.3 mi
36m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
State Highway 3 Northwest
23.3 mi
31m
State Route 104
13.8 mi
17m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
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 Port Angeles, 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
28 mi·36 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on WA 3
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto WA 104
0.1 mi·13 sec·Hood Canal Bridge
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on WA 104
1.5 mi·2 min·Hood Canal Floating Bridge
22
Continue on WA 104
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Route 104
23
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
117 ft·1 sec·State Route 104
24
Continue on WA 104
4.9 mi·6 min·State Route 104
25
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
142 ft·1 sec·State Route 104
26
Continue on WA 104
8.7 mi·10 min·State Route 104
27
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 104
0.4 mi·29 sec·State Highway 104
28
Merge onto US 101
35 mi·51 min·Olympic Highway
29
Take the exit onto US 101
392 ft·11 sec·East Front Street
30
Merge onto US 101
1.6 mi·3 min·East Front Street
31
Turn left onto US 101
231 ft·13 sec·North Lincoln Street
32
Turn left
231 ft·19 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m estimated drive time, departing from Yakima in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. For this drive, paying close attention to your fuel gauge is important, especially before the longest stretch on US 97, as services can be spaced out. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility in departure time, but an earlier start will allow for a more relaxed pace.
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 130.1 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 2h 28m 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 57 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Angeles, 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 260.2 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 24
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
$50.69 one way
$101.38 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$53.11
$106.21
premium
$5.39
$55.23
$110.45
diesel
$4.80
$49.13
$98.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.1
0
$27.32
$12.49
Efficient EV
65.1
0
$22.77
$10.41
EV Truck/SUV
104.1
1
$36.43
$16.65
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Clear
N 9 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
Port Angeles, WA
Morning
in Port Angeles on Sunday
Local time
8:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
W 7 mph2% 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
8 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 27m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 179.4
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of yea...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$30
near mile 260.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 84% of the 260.2 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 85.7 miles on US 97, which likely means consistent cruising with fewer exits. The highway portion concludes around the Olympic Highway, transitioning to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. Expect a good amount of uninterrupted driving, especially in the earlier sections.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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 Olympic Highway. 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 24 significant decision points across 260.2 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,579 ft44 ft
Total Climb
2,237 ft
Total Descent
3,260 ft
Highest Point
2,579 ft
~92.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,534 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 Port Angeles, 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
Port Angeles is the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, and the county seat of Clallam County. It's a great place to start for a trip to Hurricane Ridge and the rest of Olympic National Park. Outdoor sports like kayaking, biking or hiking are very popular, while the quaint shops attract shoppers downtown and the expansive waterfront provides relaxation. Beautiful Pacific beaches are nearby and the lavender fields and berry farms of Sequim beckon all summer.
As the nearest towns to the west are over 55 mi (89 km) away, this article covers listings as far west as Joyce on State Route 112 towards Neah Bay.
Top landmarks
•Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District — Historic building in Washington, USA
•Naval Lodge Elks Building — building in Port Angeles, Washington, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 260.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 13 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 Port Angeles, 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 13 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 and Olympic National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Angeles, WA before the return drive.
