How far is Ellensburg, WA from South Cle Elum, WA?
The driving distance from Ellensburg, WA to South Cle Elum, WA is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.9 miles (36.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 34m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ellensburg and South Cle Elum.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellensburg and South Cle Elum.
-
1
Start on West 5th Avenue
66 m · 12 sec · West 5th Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1142 ft · 43 sec · North Main Street
-
3
Turn left onto West University Way
2.1 mi · 5 min · West University Way
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
33 m · 6 sec
-
5
Exit the roundabout
528 ft · 15 sec
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West
2230 ft · 54 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 23 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward Exit 84: Cle Elum
954 ft · 26 sec
-
9
Turn right onto South Oaks Avenue
1767 ft · 41 sec · South Oaks Avenue
-
10
Turn left onto West Railroad Street
1113 ft · 53 sec · West Railroad Street
-
11
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Cle Elum Way
1.3 km · 2 min · South Cle Elum Way
-
12
Turn right
57 m · 14 sec
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ellensburg and South Cle Elum.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 90 West
Merge slight left
21.4 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Ellensburg and Mostly Sunny near South Cle Elum.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ellensburg to South Cle Elum?
The road trip is about 25.8 miles (41.6 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cle Elum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.9 miles from Ellensburg and 12.9 miles from South Cle Elum.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.9 miles (36.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:20 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.76 one way or $9.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ellensburg and Mostly Sunny near South Cle Elum.
Stop Ideas Near Cle Elum
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cle Elum.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Columbia Station
Stevens Pass, Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ellensburg and South Cle Elum. Straight-line distance: 22.95 mi (36.94 km).
#1 Ellensburg
City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
| Population | 21,576 |
| Coordinates | 46.9965100, -120.5478500 |
| Altitude | 470 |
| Country | United States |
#2 South Cle Elum
Town of the United States
| Population | 565 |
| Coordinates | 47.1856800, -120.9489700 |
| Altitude | 586 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Cle Elum (-120.94897, 47.18568)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $4.76 | $9.52 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $5.07 | $10.13 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $5.25 | $10.50 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $4.97 | $9.95 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Washington · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.