How far is Kelso, WA from Yakima, WA?
The driving distance from Kelso, WA to Yakima, WA is about 166.1 miles (267.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.7 miles (191.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 10m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Lewis County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kelso and Yakima.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kelso and Yakima.
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1
Start on North 4th Avenue
10 m · 6 sec · North 4th Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Cowlitz Way
532 ft · 13 sec · Cowlitz Way
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3
Turn right onto North Pacific Avenue
900 ft · 25 sec · North Pacific Avenue
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4
Continue on North Kelso Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · North Kelso Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left
1486 ft · 36 sec
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6
Merge slight left
27.1 mi · 29 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
1534 ft · 40 sec
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8
Turn right
118.7 mi · 2 hr 22 min
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9
Continue straight
16.9 mi · 22 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward North 1st Street
1396 ft · 34 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Selah Road
91 m · 5 sec · Selah Road
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12
Continue on North 1st Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · North 1st Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kelso and Yakima.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn right
119 mi · 02h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Light Rain Likely leaving Kelso and Chance Light Rain near Yakima.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kelso to Yakima?
The road trip is about 166.1 miles (267.3 km) and usually takes 03h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Morton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83 miles from Kelso and 83.1 miles from Yakima.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.7 miles (191.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.67 one way or $61.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Kelso and Chance Light Rain near Yakima.
Stop Ideas Near Morton
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 Morton.
Centralia station
Centennial Station
Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center
Tacoma Dome Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kelso and Yakima. Straight-line distance: 118.77 mi (191.14 km).
#1 Kelso
Town and parish in Scottish Borders, Scotland
| Population | 12,438 |
| Coordinates | 46.1467800, -122.9084400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| 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: 267 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $30.67 | $61.33 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $32.62 | $65.25 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $33.82 | $67.64 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $32.04 | $64.07 |
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.