How far is Yakima, WA from Yelm, WA?
The driving distance from Yakima, WA to Yelm, WA is about 155 miles (249.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 102.1 miles (164.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 42m 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 21m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yakima and Yelm.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yakima and Yelm.
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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
87.7 mi · 1 hr 42 min
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7
Turn right onto 2nd Street
3020 ft · 51 sec · 2nd Street
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8
Continue on Morton Road
2.5 mi · 4 min · Morton Road
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9
Continue on State Route 7
13.7 mi · 19 min · State Route 7
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10
Turn left onto Mountain Highway East
19.2 mi · 29 min · Mountain Highway East
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11
Turn left onto State Route 702 East
9.3 mi · 13 min · State Route 702 East
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12
Turn left onto Spanaway McKenna Highway
2510 ft · 1 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway
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13
Continue on State Route 507
1.4 mi · 3 min · State Route 507
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14
Continue on East Yelm Avenue
1.6 km · 3 min · East Yelm Avenue
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15
Turn right onto North 1st Street
50 m · 6 sec · North 1st Street
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16
Turn right
17 m · 4 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yakima and Yelm.
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 left
87.7 mi · 01h 42m
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 Yakima and Mostly Sunny near Yelm.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yakima to Yelm?
The road trip is about 155 miles (249.4 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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 77.4 miles from Yakima and 77.6 miles from Yelm.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 102.1 miles (164.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:18 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.62 one way or $57.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Yakima and Mostly Sunny near Yelm.
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 Yelm. Straight-line distance: 102.12 mi (164.34 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 Yelm
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
| Population | 9,591 |
| Coordinates | 46.9420400, -122.6059600 |
| Altitude | 105 |
| Country | United States |
End: Yelm (-122.60596, 46.94204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $28.62 | $57.25 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $30.45 | $60.90 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $31.57 | $63.13 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $29.90 | $59.81 |
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.