How far is Yakima, WA from Kelso, WA?
The driving distance from Yakima, WA to Kelso, WA is about 166.7 miles (268.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.7 miles (191.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 45m 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 22m.
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.
Chance Light Rain
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yakima and Kelso.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yakima and Kelso.
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1
Start on South 1st Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · South 1st Street
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2
Continue on Selah Road
711 ft · 12 sec · Selah Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right
34 m · 3 sec
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4
Keep slight right
948 ft · 23 sec
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5
Merge slight left
17.1 mi · 23 min
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6
Turn left
118.9 mi · 2 hr 23 min
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7
Take the exit right toward I 5 South: Portland
910 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight left
27.4 mi · 29 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward North Kelso Avenue
1596 ft · 39 sec
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10
Turn right onto North Kelso Avenue
3274 ft · 2 min · North Kelso Avenue
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11
Continue on North Pacific Avenue
900 ft · 32 sec · North Pacific Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Cowlitz Way
532 ft · 16 sec · Cowlitz Way
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13
Turn left onto North 4th Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · North 4th Avenue
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 4th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yakima and Kelso.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
119 mi · 02h 23m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Yakima and Light Rain Likely near Kelso.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yakima to Kelso?
The road trip is about 166.7 miles (268.3 km) and usually takes 03h 22m 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 83.2 miles from Yakima and 83.5 miles from Kelso.
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 48 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 10:14 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.77 one way or $61.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Yakima and Light Rain Likely near Kelso.
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 Yakima and Kelso. Straight-line distance: 118.77 mi (191.14 km).
#1 Yakima
The second most populous city in Yakima County, Washington.
| Population | 94,322 |
| Coordinates | 46.6020700, -120.5059000 |
| Altitude | 326 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kelso
Town and parish in Scottish Borders, Scotland
| Population | 12,438 |
| Coordinates | 46.1467800, -122.9084400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kelso (-122.90844, 46.14678)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 268 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 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 | $30.77 | $61.54 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $32.73 | $65.47 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $33.93 | $67.87 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $32.15 | $64.29 |
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.