The drive from Hoquiam, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 291.4 miles and takes about 6h 4m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, I 82, US Highway 12 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 168.4 miles on US 12.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $60.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.7 miles from Hoquiam, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 4m. Total distance: 291.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 6h 4m highway drive covering 291.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 12 and I 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 168.4 miles on US 12.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 168.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 82. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 24.9 miles in near US 12.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 4m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 17 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 24.9 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles (US 12): Navigation decision point; at 69.8 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
24.9 mi into trip|~39m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Oakville, Centralia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Oakville, Centralia
5
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 12
Take the ramp onto US 12 toward I 5 South
Navigation decision point
Toward I 5 South
5
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
6
276.6 mi into trip|~5h 45m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
6
282.2 mi into trip|~5h 51m in|WA 240
Take the exit onto WA 240 toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hoquiam, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Centralia, Yakima, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Centralia
24.9 mi in|~39m|via US 12
Yakima
69.8 mi in|~1h 41m|via US 12
I‑182 East
276.6 mi in|~5h 45m|via US 12
Pasco
276.6 mi in|~5h 45m|via US 12
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
168.4 mi
3h 24m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 12
23.9 mi
35m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
Simpson Avenue
2.9 mi
7m
East Wishkah Street
1.4 mi
2m
West Pine Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 168.4 mi, about 3h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoquiam, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on WA 109
2.9 mi·7 min·Simpson Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto US 101
0.4 mi·1 min·North Park Street
3
Turn left onto West Market Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Market Street
4
Enter roundabout onto South F Street
21 ft·0 sec·South F Street
5
Continue on South F Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·South F Street
6
Turn left onto US 12
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Heron Street
7
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
8
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
9
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 12
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 12
Toward US 12 East: Oakville, Centralia
11
Turn right onto US 12
13 mi·19 min·US Highway 12
12
Continue on US 12
0.8 mi·2 min·West Pine Street
13
Continue on US 12
3.3 mi·4 min·US Highway 12
14
Enter roundabout onto US 12
92 ft·1 sec·US Highway 12
15
Continue on US 12
7.2 mi·10 min·US Highway 12
16
Enter roundabout onto US 12
120 ft·2 sec·US 12
17
Continue on US 12
0.5 mi·53 sec·US 12
18
Take the ramp onto US 12
20 mi·22 min·US 12
Toward I 5 South
19
Take the exit onto US 12
0.4 mi·1 min·US 12
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
20
Continue on US 12
119 mi·2 hr 22 min·US 12
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 12
23 mi·30 min·US 12
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
23
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
24
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
26
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
27
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
28
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
29
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 145.7 miles from Hoquiam, WA, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.4 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 64 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.7 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
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 Hoquiam, 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 Hoquiam, WA
This is one driving day of about 291.4 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Hoquiam, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 168.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.7 mi from Hoquiam, WA
· 3h 13m into the drive
The midpoint is around 145.7 miles from Hoquiam, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mount Rainier National Park
National Park
Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning fi...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$30
near mile 140.7
Park Closure: Paradise Road Status: Gate closed at Longmire, projected to open tomorrow
Park Closure: SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is closed: no access to Carbon River or Mowich Lake.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.99 one way
$121.97 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$63.96
$127.92
premium
$5.77
$66.17
$132.35
diesel
$5.61
$64.34
$128.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.4
1
$30.60
$13.99
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.50
$11.66
EV Truck/SUV
116.6
1
$40.80
$18.65
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Jun 22, 2022
Origin
Hoquiam, WA
Afternoon
in Hoquiam on Friday
Local time
4:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Afternoon
in Kennewick on Friday
Local time
4:25 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hoquiam, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 291.4 miles and takes about 6h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, I 82, US Highway 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 145.7 miles from Hoquiam, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $60.99 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 4m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 17 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 24.9 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles (US 12): Navigation decision point; at 69.8 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hoquiam, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Centralia, Yakima, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Mount Rainier National Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
