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Trip from Kennewick, WA to Burien, WA

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

4h 24m

Distance

232.4 mi

374 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 11m ★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Benton County, Washington, USA

Kennewick, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in King County, Washington State, United States

Burien, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 232.4-mile journey from Kennewick, WA, to Burien, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 24 minutes. It's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. You'll primarily be on US 97, US 12, and I-82, with 99% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $49, so it’s an economical option for crossing the state. Given both the origin and destination are in the Pacific Coast region, expect a drive that moves you across diverse Washington landscapes without major environmental shifts.

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

116.2 miles from Kennewick, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 232.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 99% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 101.4 miles on US 97, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. This highway-focused profile means you'll experience consistent speeds for most of your travel. While the specific scenery isn't detailed, the nature of a highway drive suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding backroads. The transition between US 97, US 12, and I-82 is designed for smooth passage, keeping your momentum up.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near WA 240.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 232.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles (WA 240): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
8.3 mi into trip | ~12m in | WA 240

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 240

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
6
13.5 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
7
115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | US 97

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 West
8
216.9 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in

Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10 Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
7
217.1 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 405 South: Renton

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Kennewick, WA and Burien, WA, road signs point toward Yakima and Everett.

Yakima

13.5 mi in | ~18m | via US 12

Everett

216.9 mi in | ~4h 2m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 97 101.4 mi 1h 53m
US 12 70.9 mi 1h 17m
I 82 31 mi 33m
WA 240 11.6 mi 13m
I 405 10.7 mi 13m
WA 518 3.4 mi 4m
Southwest 148th Street 0.6 mi 1m
North Fruitland Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 97 — 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Burien, WA.

1

Start on North Newport Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · North Newport Street
2

Turn left onto West Kennewick Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Kennewick Avenue
3

Turn left onto North Fruitland Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Fruitland Street
4

Turn left onto West Columbia Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Columbia Drive
5

Enter roundabout onto WA 240

0.1 mi · 8 sec · WA 240
6

Continue on WA 240

6.4 mi · 8 min · WA 240
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 240

5.1 mi · 5 min · WA 240
Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on I 182; US 12

0.1 mi · 7 sec · I 182; US 12
9

Keep slight right at fork onto US 12

71 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
10

Continue on I 82; US 97

31 mi · 33 min · I 82; US 97
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97

101 mi · 1 hr 53 min · US 97
Toward I 90 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 10 Toward I 405: Renton, Everett Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 405 South: Renton Use the slight left lane.
14

Merge onto I 405

11 mi · 13 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on WA 518

3.4 mi · 4 min · WA 518
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Continue on Southwest 148th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Southwest 148th Street
17

Arrive at destination

Southwest 148th Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 24-minute drive, starting early can help you avoid any potential traffic as you approach Burien. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 100 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. The $49 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, keeping an eye on the clock is useful if you have onward plans. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition points between US 97, US 12, and I-82, ensuring you're in the correct lanes well in advance to maintain your travel pace.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116.2 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 51 miles or 59m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 116.2 miles or 2h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burien, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, WA

This is one driving day of about 232.4 miles and 4h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Kennewick, 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 97 for about 101.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 116.2 mi from Kennewick, WA · 2h 9m into the drive

city in Chelan County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cashmere, WA

116 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

Sunnyside, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kittitas, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 116.2 miles from Kennewick, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.4 miles.

Arriving in Burien, WA

The final approach into Burien, 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 Burien, 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.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

8 mi from route ~21 min detour Free near mile 216.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.64 one way

$97.28 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $51.01 $102.02
premium $5.77 $52.77 $105.55
diesel $5.61 $51.31 $102.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.7 0 $24.40 $11.16
Efficient EV 58.1 0 $20.34 $9.30
EV Truck/SUV 93 1 $32.54 $14.87

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kennewick, WA

Evening in Kennewick on Thursday

Local time

8:31 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Burien, WA

Evening in Burien on Thursday

Local time

8:31 PM

PDT

Current temp

49°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

2 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

4h 24m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kennewick, WA to Burien, WA covers 232.4 miles and takes about 4h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, US 12, I 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.2 miles from Kennewick, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 232.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles (WA 240): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.5 miles (US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Kennewick, WA and Burien, WA, road signs point toward Yakima and Everett.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.

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