Origin
College Place, WA
Evening in College Place on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from College Place, WA to Kennewick, WA
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
46.6 mi
75 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
College Place, WA
david hou
Kennewick, WA
Frank Cone
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from College Place to Kennewick, you are looking at a straightforward 46.6-mile trek that typically takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as the distance is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. You will primarily utilize US 12, East A Street, and Wallula Avenue to complete your journey. Budgeting approximately $10 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you can expect a consistent atmosphere throughout your time on the road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
23.3 miles from College Place, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 81% of your drive will be spent on major roads. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on US 12, which accounts for a 36.7-mile stretch of the journey. Because this is a relatively short trip, the road maintains a consistent pace without the need for complex navigation or technical maneuvering. You will find that the transitions between the local streets and the highway are efficient, keeping your momentum steady from start to finish. Behind the wheel, you can anticipate a predictable drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and East A Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North College Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles (Old Highway 12): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North College Avenue
Turn right onto North College Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Old Highway 12
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 12
Navigation decision point
4
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Spalding Road
Turn right onto Spalding Road
Navigation decision point
4
26.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 36.7 mi | 42m |
| East A Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| Wallula Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Old Highway 12 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Kennewick Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South 10th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Columbia Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North College Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 36.7 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between College Place, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on East Whitman Drive
61 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Whitman Drive
2
Turn right onto North College Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North College Avenue
3
Turn left
174 ft
·
7 sec
4
Continue on North College Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North College Avenue
5
Enter roundabout
88 ft
·
2 sec
6
Continue
137 ft
·
6 sec
7
Continue on Wallula Avenue
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Wallula Avenue
8
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 12
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Highway 12
9
Turn right onto Spalding Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Spalding Road
10
Turn left onto US 12
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US 12
11
Keep slight right at fork
287 ft
·
3 sec
12
Merge onto US 12
14 mi
·
16 min
·
US 12
13
Turn left onto East A Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East A Street
14
Turn left onto South 10th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South 10th Avenue
15
Continue on WA 397
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Gum Street
16
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
17
Turn straight onto East Columbia Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Columbia Drive
18
Turn left onto North Benton Street
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Benton Street
19
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Kennewick Avenue
20
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Newport Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though traveling outside of peak traffic hours can make for a smoother ride. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the short duration, allowing you to reach your destination in one go. Keep in mind that since the majority of the route is highway-based, it is wise to ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds before you head out. Because you are traveling entirely within Washington, keep a quick eye on your fuel gauge before leaving College Place, even though a $10 fill-up is likely sufficient. Making this a direct trip is your best strategy for a stress-free arrival in Kennewick.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 23.3 miles from College Place, WA, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 46.6 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.3 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennewick, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving College Place, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from College Place, WA
This is one driving day of about 46.6 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from College Place, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 36.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.3 mi from College Place, WA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.3 miles from College Place, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kennewick, WA
The final approach into Kennewick, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kennewick, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.78 one way
$19.56 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $10.21 | $20.43 |
| premium | $5.77 | $10.59 | $21.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.24 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.52 | $2.98 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Evening in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
6:09 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 2m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from College Place, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 46.6 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, East A Street, Wallula Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.3 miles from College Place, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 46.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North College Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.7 miles (Old Highway 12): Navigation decision point.
The route from College Place, WA to Kennewick, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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