Origin
Kennewick, WA
Evening in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kennewick, WA to Centralia, WA
Drive Time
4h 41m
Distance
235.2 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennewick, WA
Frank Cone
Centralia, WA
William Jacobs
Trip Overview
Spanning 235.2 miles across Washington, this trip from Kennewick to Centralia is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes. Since it is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the trek in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget around $49 for fuel, making it a manageable expense for a cross-state transit. While the entire route stays within the Pacific Coast region, the shift from the eastern side of the state toward Centralia provides a clear change in landscape. It is a practical, efficient route for those prioritizing speed and reliability over wandering detours.
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
117.6 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
You will spend 98% of your time on highways, primarily relying on US 12 to cover the vast majority of the distance. The route features a significant 219.8-mile stretch on US 12, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the experience is consistent and steady rather than technical or winding. You will also navigate segments of WA 240 and North Fruitland Street as you transition through the start and finish points. Expect a predictable pace that allows you to settle into a rhythm once you reach the main thoroughfare.
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 219.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and WA 240. 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.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 235.2 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 84.5 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese 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
5
84.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 west, North 1st Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street: White Pass...
6
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward US 12 West: Naches, White Pass
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 West: Naches, White Pass
5
220.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
|
US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I 5 North: Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Towns Along This Route
Between Kennewick, WA and Centralia, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, 1St Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches and White Pass.
Yakima
13.5 mi in
|
~18m
|
via US 12
1St Street: White Pass
84.5 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via US 12
Chinook Pass
84.5 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via US 12
Naches
84.5 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via US 12
White Pass
84.6 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via US 12
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 219.8 mi | 4h 17m |
| WA 240 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| North Fruitland Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Kennewick Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Columbia Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Alder Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Tower Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Cherry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 219.8 mi, about 4h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Centralia, 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
Take the exit onto US 12
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 12
Toward US 12 west, North 1st Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
18 mi
·
23 min
·
US 12
Toward US 12 West: Naches, White Pass
12
Turn left onto US 12
119 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
US 12
13
Take the exit onto US 12
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 12
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 507 North: Mellen Street, City Center
15
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
16
At end of road, turn left onto Yew Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Yew Street
17
Turn right onto Alder Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Alder Street
18
Continue on WA 507
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
West Cherry Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto WA 507
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Tower Avenue
20
Turn right onto East Main Street
15 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Main Street
21
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 4.75-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue and maximize your daylight hours. You only need to plan for one major stop, so choose your break point strategically to break up that long 219.8-mile stretch on US 12. Keep an eye on your fuel levels before heading out, as the $49 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local gas prices. Having the flexibility to handle the entire distance in one day is a major advantage, but do not hesitate to pull over if you feel the need to stretch your legs. Prioritize your comfort to ensure you arrive in Centralia feeling refreshed rather than drained by the highway miles.
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 117.6 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.8 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.6 miles or 2h 17m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centralia, 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 235.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 12 for about 219.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.6 mi from Kennewick, WA · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.6 miles from Kennewick, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.8 miles.
Arriving in Centralia, WA
The final approach into Centralia, 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 Centralia, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.36 one way
$98.73 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $51.55 | $103.10 |
| premium | $5.77 | $53.44 | $106.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.25 | $104.51 |
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: 82.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.70 | $11.29 |
| Efficient EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.58 | $9.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.1 | 1 | $32.93 | $15.05 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Centralia, WA
Evening in Centralia on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°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
6 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 41m 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 Centralia, WA covers 235.2 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, WA 240, North Fruitland Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.6 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 $49.36 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 16 significant decision points across 235.2 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 84.5 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kennewick, WA and Centralia, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, 1St Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches and White Pass.
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