Yakima, WA to Sedro-Woolley, WA is 206.5 miles and takes about 4h 3m via US 97 and I-5, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Pacific Coast route primarily uses major highways, making for a straightforward trip. You'll travel from one side of Washington to the other, experiencing a mix of landscapes as you transition from eastern to western Washington. With a drive time under four and a half hours, this is a comfortable one-day trip, leaving plenty of time for any necessary stops along the way.
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
103.3 miles from Yakima, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
I 5
47 mi
55m
I 82
30.3 mi
32m
I 405
18.4 mi
23m
North Cascades Highway
3.6 mi
5m
South 1st Street
1.6 mi
3m
Avon Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Cascade Highway
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
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 Sedro-Woolley, 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
101 mi·1 hr 53 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi·2 min·I 405
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
47 mi·55 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward SR 20: Anacortes, Burlington
15
Turn right onto WA 20
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Rio Vista Avenue
16
Turn left onto WA 20
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Burlington Boulevard
17
Turn straight
385 ft·14 sec
Toward 20: Sedro-Woolley, North Cascades Highway
18
Turn straight onto WA 20
0.6 mi·1 min·Avon Avenue
19
Continue on WA 20
0.5 mi·1 min·Cascade Highway
20
Continue on WA 20
3.6 mi·5 min·North Cascades Highway
21
Turn right onto West Ferry Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Ferry Street
22
Turn right onto Murdock Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Murdock Street
23
Arrive at destination
Murdock Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Yakima in the morning to take advantage of the full day. Since the total drive is just over 4 hours, you can easily complete this trip in one day without needing to split it. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 101.4-mile stretch on US 97, and plan your stops accordingly. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so factor that into your budget. The high percentage of highway driving means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops, so if you plan on exploring, do so before you begin the main highway portions.
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 103.3 miles from Yakima, WA, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 45 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.3 miles or 1h 56m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sedro-Woolley, 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 206.5 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 101.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.3 and 152.8 — 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
8
133.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
133.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
6
142.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
152.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.23 one way
$80.45 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$42.15
$84.29
premium
$5.39
$43.83
$87.66
diesel
$4.80
$38.99
$77.98
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: 72.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.68
$9.91
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.07
$8.26
EV Truck/SUV
82.6
1
$28.91
$13.22
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Yakima, WA
Late night
in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
NW 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Sedro-Woolley, WA
Late night
in Sedro-Woolley on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Clear then Areas Of Fog
WSW 0 to 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
54°F
North Bend, WA
103 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
40 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
4h 3m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 135.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 95% of the 206.5 miles on major roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 101.4 miles on US 97. Expect to encounter some urban merging as you approach and travel through more populated areas. The majority of your time will be spent on efficient, high-speed roadways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.4 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 5. 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 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 17 significant decision points across 206.5 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 133.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,547 ft10 ft
Total Climb
2,379 ft
Total Descent
3,388 ft
Highest Point
2,547 ft
~88.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,537 ft
Notable High Points
2,161 ft at ~14.8 miles+718 ft prominence
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 Sedro-Woolley, WA, road signs point toward Everett, Bellevue and Vancouver British Columbia.
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 4h 3m. Total distance: 206.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m 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 101.4 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 Sedro-Woolley, 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 133.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.9 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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Sedro-Woolley, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
