Yakima to Seattle — Drive, Airport Shuttle, Yakima Airport (YKM) & Complete Guide 2026
Complete guide for traveling from Yakima, WA to Seattle, WA — drive ~145 miles via I-82 West & I-90 West (~2.5h), Bellair Airporter Shuttle to SeaTac, fly from Yakima Airport (YKM/McAllister Field) on Alaska Airlines, Greyhound bus & full Seattle to Yakima reverse. No Amtrak — all real options here.
Yakima to Seattle — Drive, Shuttle, Airport & All Travel Options 2026
The route from Yakima, Washington to Seattle, Washington crosses the Cascade Mountains and covers approximately 145 miles via I-82 West and I-90 West. Searches for yakima to seattle (1,300 vol), yakima washington to seattle (1,000 vol), yakima wa to seattle wa (720 vol), yakima seattle (590 vol), and yakima washington to seattle washington (320 vol) all point to three main options: drive, airport shuttle (Bellair), or fly from Yakima Airport (YKM). There is no Amtrak train service to Yakima.
Amtrak yakima wa (20 vol) and amtrak yakima to seattle (20 vol) — there is no Amtrak train service to Yakima. Yakima does not have an Amtrak station. The Empire Builder and other Amtrak routes do not serve the Yakima Valley. The nearest Amtrak service is in Ellensburg (Amtrak Thruway Bus connection) or Spokane. For Yakima to Seattle, the options are driving, shuttle, bus, or flying from Yakima Airport (YKM).
Yakima Airport (YKM) — McAllister Field Complete Guide
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Yakima Airport is officially the Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field (YKM), located at 2400 W Washington Ave, Yakima, WA 98903. It is a small regional airport serving the Yakima Valley and surrounding Central Washington communities. Alaska Airlines (through its regional partners) is the only commercial carrier operating scheduled flights from YKM. The airport serves primarily as a commuter hub connecting Yakima to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), from where passengers connect to destinations nationwide and internationally. The airport is approximately 2 miles west of downtown Yakima.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official name | Yakima Air Terminal–McAllister Field |
| IATA Code | YKM |
| Address | 2400 W Washington Ave, Yakima, WA 98903 |
| Distance from downtown Yakima | ~2 miles west of downtown Yakima (~5–10 min drive) |
| Commercial airline | Alaska Airlines (and regional partners) — the only scheduled commercial carrier at YKM |
| Primary route | YKM → SEA (Seattle-Tacoma International) — daily flights |
| Rental cars | Enterprise and Avis operate at Yakima Airport. Enterprise yakima airport (20 vol), avis yakima airport (20 vol). |
| Facilities | Small regional airport. Lounge, café, car rental. No international facilities. |
| Nearby airports | Airports near yakima wa (140 vol) — nearest commercial airports: Seattle-Tacoma (SEA, ~145 mi), Portland (PDX, ~200 mi via I-82), Pasco/Tri-Cities (PSC, ~75 mi) |
Allegiant Air at Yakima Airport
Allegiant air yakima (10 vol) — Allegiant Air has served Yakima Airport in the past with seasonal leisure routes. Check Allegiant's current route network (allegiantair.com) for any active YKM services, as low-cost carrier routes can change seasonally. As of 2026, Alaska Airlines remains the primary and most consistent carrier at Yakima Airport (YKM).
Flights from Yakima Airport — Alaska Airlines YKM to Seattle, Portland & Beyond
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| Route | Operator | Frequency | In-Air Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YKM → SEA (Seattle-Tacoma) | Alaska Airlines | Multiple daily flights | ~30–40 min | Yakima seattle flight (210 vol) — the primary YKM route. Alaska regional jet (Horizon Air Q400 or similar). Connects to Alaska's full SEA network: Hawaii, Hawaii, nationwide, international. |
| YKM → SEA → PDX (Portland) | Alaska (via SEA) | Connection via SEA | ~30 min + layover | No direct YKM–PDX typically. Connect through Seattle. Flights from yakima to portland (20 vol) — use YKM→SEA then SEA→PDX. |
| YKM → SEA → LAX & beyond | Alaska (via SEA) | Connection via SEA | Variable | Flights from yakima to lax (20 vol), lax to yakima (40 vol) — connect through SEA. Alaska's hub at SEA makes nationwide connections straightforward from YKM. |
| YKM → SEA → LAS VEGAS | Alaska (via SEA) | Connection via SEA | Variable | Yakima to las vegas (110 vol), yakima to vegas (90 vol), flights from yakima to las vegas (70 vol) — no direct YKM–LAS. Connect through Seattle. |
Alaska airlines yakima to seattle (20 vol) — book YKM flights at alaskaair.com or check Google Flights for current schedules and fares. Since Alaska Airlines is the only carrier at YKM, comparison shopping on this route is limited. For the best fares, book directly on Alaska's website and sign up for Alaska Mileage Plan — even short YKM–SEA flights earn miles. Yakima airport flight schedule (40 vol) — current daily departures and arrivals at alaskaair.com or yakimaairport.com.
Yakima to Seattle Airport Shuttle — Bellair Airporter & SeaTac Transfer Guide
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| Shuttle Option | Journey Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellair Airporter Shuttle (primary) | ~2.5–3h | ~$35–$55/person | Bellair airporter shuttle yakima (70 vol) — Bellair Airporter is the primary named shuttle company connecting Yakima to SeaTac Airport. Multiple daily departures. Picks up from Yakima and drops directly at SeaTac (SEA). Book at bellair.net. Also serves Ellensburg and other Cascade corridor communities on the same route. |
| Airporter Shuttle / SunTrans | ~2.5–3h | ~$30–$60/person | Additional shuttle operators serve the Yakima–SeaTac corridor. Airporter shuttle yakima to seatac (30 vol) and airporter shuttle seatac to yakima (30 vol) — compare current operators and book in advance for airport shuttles, especially early morning pickups. |
| Private car/rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | ~2.5h | ~$80–$130 | Rideshare from Yakima to SeaTac is available but expensive over this distance. Good for groups of 3–4 splitting the cost. Book via Uber or Lyft apps. |
Yakima to seatac airport (90 vol) and seatac to yakima (70 vol) — for airport shuttle bookings: (1) Book at least 24–48 hours ahead, especially for early morning departures (4:00–6:00 AM are popular for early flights). (2) Confirm exactly where in Yakima your shuttle picks up — some services pick up from fixed downtown stops while others offer door-to-door (may cost extra). (3) Seatac shuttle yakima (20 vol) — Bellair's schedule typically runs multiple trips daily in each direction, aligned with flight departure clusters. (4) Allow extra time in winter — Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) can slow or close due to snow. Check WSDOT 511 before winter shuttle rides.
Drive from Yakima to Seattle — I-82 / I-90 Route, Distance & Road Conditions
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| Route Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Main driving route | I-82 West from Yakima → US-97 North to I-90 West → Seattle. Or: WA-821 North from Yakima through Yakima Canyon to Ellensburg, then I-90 West to Seattle. |
| Distance | ~145 miles (233 km) |
| Drive time (normal conditions) | ~2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours |
| Key mountain pass | Snoqualmie Pass (I-90, elevation 3,022 ft) — the main crossing. Subject to winter closures and chain requirements. Check wsdot.wa.gov/travel/511 or call 511 for conditions. |
| Scenic alternative | Yakima Canyon Road (WA-821) from Yakima through the Yakima River Canyon to Ellensburg — a gorgeous 30-mile stretch along the river. Adds ~15 min but spectacular scenery. No chain controls on canyon road. |
| Winter note | Snoqualmie Pass can require chains or all-wheel drive and occasionally closes. In severe conditions, White Pass (US-12 West) is an alternate, though longer (~175 miles, ~3.5h). |
Seattle to yakima road conditions (20 vol) — the I-90 Snoqualmie Pass corridor is maintained by WSDOT year-round but is subject to winter weather. Check: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/511 (online) or call 511 for Washington State road conditions. The Yakima Valley approach (I-82) is typically dry and fast. The Kittitas Valley around Ellensburg can see strong easterly winds ("Gorge winds"). Seattle-side I-90 through Issaquah Highlands and Mercer Island can be congested during Seattle rush hour (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM weekdays). Allow extra time if arriving during peak hours.
Bus from Yakima to Seattle — Greyhound & All Bus Options
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| Operator | Journey Time | Fare From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | ~2.5–3.5h | From ~$20–$45 | Greyhound yakima (170 vol) — Greyhound operates bus service between Yakima and Seattle. The Yakima Greyhound stop is typically at or near the Yakima bus station area. Book on greyhound.com or compare on Busbud for current schedules, fares, and available departures. |
| Busbud / other operators | Variable | Compare on Busbud | Compare all bus operators serving the Yakima–Seattle corridor on Busbud for the most current options, schedules, and fares on your specific travel date. |
The Yakima to Seattle bus journey (2.5–3.5h) is comparable in time to driving (~2.5h), making the bus a reasonable option for travelers without a car. The main advantage is cost and convenience — no parking, no gas, no Snoqualmie Pass driving stress. Greyhound bus passengers arrive at Seattle's main bus terminal near downtown. From there, Metro Transit buses and Link Light Rail connect to the broader Seattle metro and downtown.
🚘 Seattle to Yakima — Complete Reverse Journey Guide
The reverse direction: seattle to yakima (880 vol), seattle to yakima washington (480 vol), seattle to yakima flights (260 vol), seattle wa to yakima wa (50 vol), seattle yakima (30 vol — same route, all options in reverse.
Drive Seattle to Yakima: Seattle to yakima drive (110 vol) — take I-90 East from Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass, then US-97 South or WA-821 South through Yakima Canyon to Yakima. Distance: ~145 miles. Drive time: ~2 hours 30 minutes in normal conditions. Seattle to yakima road conditions (20 vol) — check wsdot.wa.gov/511 before eastbound winter travel. Seattle-to-Yakima is typically dry and scenic once east of the Cascades — the Yakima Valley is sunny over 300 days per year, even when Seattle is rainy and grey.
Seattle to Yakima flights: Seattle to yakima flights (260 vol) and flights from seattle to yakima wa (170 vol) — Alaska Airlines operates SEA to YKM daily. Check alaskaair.com. The flight takes ~30–40 minutes. Primarily useful if arriving at SeaTac from elsewhere and needing to reach Yakima quickly — otherwise the drive is comparable in total time.
Seattle to Yakima shuttle: Seattle to yakima shuttle (110 vol) — Bellair Airporter Shuttle runs from SeaTac Airport to Yakima (reverse direction). Book at bellair.net. Seattle to yakima shuttle schedule (20 vol) — check Bellair for current departure times from SeaTac. Seatac to yakima (70 vol) and seatac yakima shuttle (20 vol) — same Bellair service from SeaTac's ground transportation area.
Seattle to Yakima bus: Seattle to yakima bus (140 vol) — Greyhound operates Seattle to Yakima service in the reverse direction. Compare on Busbud. Seattle to yakima greyhound (20 vol) — book directly at greyhound.com. Bus departs from Seattle's main bus terminal and arrives at the Yakima stop.
Seattle to Yakima train: Seattle to yakima train (20 vol) and is there a train from seattle to yakima (20 vol) — no Amtrak service exists between Seattle and Yakima. See Section 10 for full explanation. The drive, shuttle, or bus are the ground transport options.
Seattle to Yakima miles & distance: Seattle to yakima miles (20 vol) and distance from seattle to yakima wa (20 vol) — same ~145 miles, ~2.5h in both directions. How far is seattle from yakima (170 vol), how far is yakima from seattle (210 vol) — approximately 145 miles by road, ~2.5 hours drive each way.
🎟 Check Seattle to Yakima Bus OptionsYakima to Spokane, Wenatchee, Pasco, Tacoma & More
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Yakima Transit — Local Bus Routes, Schedule & Hours
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Yakima Transit is the City of Yakima's public transit system, operating local fixed-route bus service throughout the Yakima urban area. It is a local bus system, not a regional or intercity service — Yakima Transit does not travel to Seattle, Wenatchee, or other cities. For travel within the Yakima Valley (downtown Yakima, West Valley, Selah, Union Gap), Yakima Transit is the public option. For intercity trips to Seattle, use the Greyhound bus or Bellair Airporter Shuttle. Visit yakimatransit.org for current routes, schedules, and fares. Yakima transit hours — weekday service typically runs from early morning to early evening. Check current hours at yakimatransit.org as schedules vary by route.
No Amtrak to Yakima — Complete Train Guide & Alternatives
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Yakima has no Amtrak service and no Amtrak station. The Amtrak Empire Builder (Chicago–Seattle) does not stop in Yakima. The Amtrak Cascades (Seattle–Portland–Eugene) also does not serve Yakima. The closest Amtrak stations to Yakima are: Ellensburg (served by Amtrak Thruway Bus connection only, not direct train), approximately 35 miles northwest; Pasco (Empire Builder stop), approximately 75 miles east; and Wishram, WA (Empire Builder stop on the Columbia River), approximately 90 miles southeast. None are practical connections for Yakima travelers. For Yakima to Seattle: drive (~2.5h via I-82/I-90), Bellair Airporter Shuttle, or fly Alaska Airlines YKM→SEA.
How Far Is Yakima from Seattle? — Distance, Miles & Day Trip Guide
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| Measurement | Distance |
|---|---|
| Road distance (I-82 W / I-90 W) | ~145 miles / 233 km |
| Drive time (normal conditions) | ~2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours |
| Straight-line (air) distance | ~105 miles / 169 km |
| Seattle to Yakima (reverse) | Same: ~145 miles, ~2.5h |
| Yakima to SeaTac Airport (SEA) | ~150 miles, ~2.5–3h (via I-82/I-90 to I-405 S to I-5 S to SEA) |
Day Trip: Seattle from Yakima
A day trip from Yakima to Seattle is very feasible: Depart Yakima ~07:00 via I-82 W/I-90 W. Arrive Seattle ~09:30. ~8–9 hours in Seattle: Pike Place Market, Seattle Center/Space Needle, Capitol Hill, Pioneer Square. Depart Seattle ~18:00–19:00. Arrive Yakima ~20:30–21:30. The drive is straightforward — Yakima's east-of-Cascades location means you're often driving from sunny skies into Seattle's cloud layer at Snoqualmie Pass, then back out to sunshine on the return. Parking in downtown Seattle: use paid ramps ($15–$30/day) or park near a Link Light Rail station and ride in.
Cities Near Yakima Washington Within 1–2 Hours
City near yakima washington in 1 hour (20 vol) and 2 hours from yakima washington (20 vol):
- Ellensburg (~35 miles, ~40 min): College town (CWU), rodeo capital. Easy day trip.
- Wenatchee (~75 miles, ~1.5h): Apple orchards, Lake Chelan access, North Cascades gateway.
- Tri-Cities (Pasco/Kennewick/Richland, ~75 miles, ~1.25h): Columbia River wine country, Hanford area.
- Lake Chelan (~115 miles, ~2h): Popular resort lake, ferry to remote Stehekin. Summer destination.
- Seattle (~145 miles, ~2.5h): Puget Sound, Pike Place, Space Needle, Seahawks, Mariners.
Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SeaTac/SEA) — Yakima Traveler Guide
For Yakima travelers, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA/SeaTac) is the primary gateway — either as a destination for shuttle/drive travelers or as a connection hub for Alaska Airlines YKM flights.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) — commonly called SeaTac |
| Address | 17801 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98158 |
| Distance from Yakima | ~150 miles, ~2.5–3h drive via I-82 W / I-90 W / I-405 S / I-5 S |
| Link Light Rail | SeaTac/Airport Station. Direct rail to downtown Seattle (University St) in ~40 min, $3. No transfer needed. |
| Alaska Airlines at SEA | Major Alaska hub. Domestic and international connections from YKM–SEA. |
| Shuttle pickup at SEA | Bellair Airporter picks up/drops at SeaTac Ground Transportation area. Confirm exact pickup location when booking. |
| Yakima Airport (YKM) to SeaTac (SEA) flight | ~30–40 min. Multiple daily Alaska Airlines departures. Useful for onward international or east coast connections. |