How far is Ellensburg, WA from Yakima, WA?
The driving distance from Ellensburg, WA to Yakima, WA is about 36 miles (58 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.3 miles (44 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ellensburg and Yakima.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellensburg and Yakima.
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1
Start on West 5th Avenue
66 m · 15 sec · West 5th Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.4 km · 3 min · North Main Street
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3
Continue on Canyon Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Canyon Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 90 East: Spokane, Yakima
40 m · 11 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout onto I 90 East: Spokane, Yakima
2123 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left
2541 ft · 31 sec
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
31.3 mi · 34 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 west, North 1st Street
96 m · 5 sec
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9
Keep slight left
1094 ft · 27 sec
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10
Continue on Selah Road
774 ft · 13 sec · Selah Road
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11
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ellensburg and Yakima.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 82 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
31.3 mi · 00h 34m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Ellensburg and Partly Sunny near Yakima.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ellensburg to Yakima?
The road trip is about 36 miles (58 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Kittitas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Ellensburg and 18 miles from Yakima.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.3 miles (44 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 7:10 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.65 one way or $13.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ellensburg and Partly Sunny near Yakima.
Stop Ideas Near Kittitas
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 Kittitas.
Columbia Station
Quincy, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ellensburg and Yakima. Straight-line distance: 27.33 mi (43.98 km).
#1 Ellensburg
City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
| Population | 21,576 |
| Coordinates | 46.9965100, -120.5478500 |
| Altitude | 470 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Yakima
The second most populous city in Yakima County, Washington.
| Population | 94,322 |
| Coordinates | 46.6020700, -120.5059000 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 1st Street (-120.50599, 46.602051)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $6.65 | $13.29 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $7.07 | $14.14 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $7.33 | $14.66 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $6.94 | $13.89 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.