Route 5 Utility
Pokemon Yellow Day Care
The Route 5 Day Care levels one deposited Pokémon while you walk—no breeding in Yellow. Withdraw cost is ¥100 × (levels gained + 1). Use the calculator for cash and rough step estimates; leave HM slaves at home.
Fast Answer
Route 5 house · pay ¥100 per level + ¥100
Enter the Day Care on Route 5 (Cerulean ↔ Saffron corridor). Deposit one mon (not your last party member, not an HM user). Walk anywhere in the overworld to feed it experience. Come back with a free party slot and pay ¥100 × (levels gained + 1)—even if it gained zero levels, withdrawal costs ¥100.
Interactive tool
Day Care cost & steps calculator
cost = ¥100 × (levels_gained + 1)
Levels gained
10Withdraw cost
¥1,100¥100 base + ¥100 × 10 levels
Est. steps (exact level thresholds)
—Assumes deposit at the start-of-level EXP threshold; +1 EXP per step in Day Care.
Budget check
OKCompare cash on hand to the withdraw fee.
| Levels gained | Cost | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ¥100 | Pick up same level (still charged) |
| 1 | ¥200 | Short walk |
| 5 | ¥600 | Mid grind |
| 10 | ¥1,100 | Calculator default |
| 20 | ¥2,100 | Same as one Celadon stone |
| 50 | ¥5,100 | Long deposit |
Rules
Deposit, walk, withdraw
Deposit requirements
- At least two Pokémon in the party (cannot deposit your only mon).
- Target must not know Cut, Fly, Surf, Strength, or Flash.
- Only one mon stays in Day Care at a time.
Withdraw requirements
- Free party slot (full party of 6 blocks retrieval).
- Enough money for the fee (formula above).
- Saying no / insufficient cash leaves the mon in care.
While it is deposited
- Gains experience as you walk the overworld.
- Does not gain battle Stat Exp from your fights.
- Caps at level 100.
On return
- HP is restored to max.
- Level-up moves for the new level may be written in (Day Care learn path).
- Partner Pikachu uses special deposit/withdraw cries in Yellow.
Location
Route 5 Day Care map links
How to get there
From Cerulean, head south through the gate onto Route 5. The Day Care is the house along this route before the underground path toward Saffron. Saffron’s main gates may still be Rocket-blocked—Route 5 remains usable early.
Why use it mid-game
- Babysit Magikarp → Gyarados without battle micromanagement.
- Raise gift Eevee / starters while you explore.
- Stack levels before gyms—then remove Exp. All if the lead needs every KO.
Moves & strategy
HM blocklist and learnset risk
| HM | Move | Day Care |
|---|---|---|
| HM01 | Cut | Blocked |
| HM02 | Fly | Blocked |
| HM03 | Surf | Blocked |
| HM04 | Strength | Blocked |
| HM05 | Flash | Blocked |
Keep field moves on a different mon
Dedicate an HM mule outside Day Care. Deposit the mon you actually want leveled.
Watch overwrites
Long deposits can replace moves when levels are applied on withdraw. Re-teach TMs afterward if needed.
Stat Exp vs Day Care EXP
Walking only grants experience for levels—not the Stat Exp you get from knocking out wild mons. Use both systems intentionally.
Partner Pikachu
You can deposit the starter if it knows no HM (it normally does not). Yellow plays special cries on deposit and return.
FAQ
Day Care questions
Where is the Day Care in Pokemon Yellow?
Route 5 Day Care house—open the map pin Daycare.
What is the exact cost formula?
¥100 × (levels gained + 1). Zero levels still costs ¥100.
Why won’t he take my Pokemon?
You only have one party mon, or it knows an HM move.
Can I breed for eggs?
Not in Yellow. Breeding arrives in Gold/Silver.
Does Day Care help a Nuzlocke?
Only if your rules allow it—many hardcore rules ban Day Care leveling. See the Nuzlocke guide for defaults.
Linked tools