How far is Vancouver, WA from Ellensburg, WA?
The driving distance from Vancouver, WA to Ellensburg, WA is about 225.6 miles (363.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.8 miles (221.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 04h 27m.
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 Washington state
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vancouver and Ellensburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vancouver and Ellensburg.
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1
Start on East Fourth Plain Boulevard
100 m · 9 sec · East Fourth Plain Boulevard
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 5 South: Portland
1292 ft · 57 sec
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3
Merge slight left
1.2 km · 56 sec
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4
Take the exit slight right toward WA 14 East: Camas
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Continue on Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
1721 ft · 37 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 205 South: Salem
1766 ft · 56 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge
4.1 mi · 6 min · Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
1.2 km · 1 min
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10
Continue on Columbia River Highway
94.9 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Columbia River Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 97: Yakima, Bend
1361 ft · 40 sec
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12
Turn left onto Sherman Highway
154 m · 9 sec · Sherman Highway
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13
Continue on Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
2.4 mi · 3 min · Sam Hill Memorial Bridge
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14
At the end of the road, turn left onto Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
2029 ft · 26 sec · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right
8.7 mi · 10 min
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16
Continue straight
49.8 mi · 58 min
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17
Continue on South Elm Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Elm Street
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18
Continue on Buena Way
1.2 km · 1 min · Buena Way
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19
Continue on Evergreen Highway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Evergreen Highway
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20
Continue on Buena Road
683 ft · 12 sec · Buena Road
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21
Take the ramp slight right
1674 ft · 41 sec
-
22
Merge slight left
18.2 mi · 21 min
-
23
Continue straight
31 mi · 34 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West
1.6 mi · 3 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Canyon Road, Ellensburg
2391 ft · 1 min
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26
Turn right onto Canyon Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Canyon Road
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27
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 km · 3 min · South Main Street
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28
Turn right onto West 5th Avenue
66 m · 7 sec · West 5th Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 5th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vancouver and Ellensburg.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Columbia River Highway
Continue on Columbia River Highway
94.9 mi · 01h 48m
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.
Sunny leaving Vancouver and Mostly Cloudy near Ellensburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vancouver to Ellensburg?
The road trip is about 225.6 miles (363.1 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Goldendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.7 miles from Vancouver and 113 miles from Ellensburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.8 miles (221.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 87.8 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 8:04 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.65 one way or $83.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Vancouver and Mostly Cloudy near Ellensburg.
Stop Ideas Near Goldendale
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 Goldendale.
Wishram
The Dalles, Oregon
Bingen – White Salmon
Hood River, Oregon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vancouver and Ellensburg. Straight-line distance: 137.74 mi (221.67 km).
#1 Vancouver
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 186,192 |
| Coordinates | 45.6387300, -122.6614900 |
| Altitude | 52 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ellensburg
City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
| Population | 21,576 |
| Coordinates | 46.9965100, -120.5478500 |
| Altitude | 470 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ellensburg (-120.54785, 46.99651)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 363 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $41.65 | $83.31 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $44.31 | $88.63 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $45.94 | $91.87 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $43.52 | $87.03 |
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.