Origin
Kennewick, WA
Night in Kennewick on Thursday
Local time
9:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 26m
Distance
127.4 mi
205 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Cheney, WA
Wikimedia Commons
This 127.4-mile drive from Kennewick, WA, to Cheney, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 26 minutes. It's perfectly suited as a day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $27. The route primarily utilizes US 395, with brief sections on Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway and Lewis and Clark Trail. Both the origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides. This trip offers a practical way to travel between these two Washington communities without needing to break it up.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.7 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 127.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 87% of the drive taking place on main roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 110.4 miles on US 395, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your travel. The character is generally that of a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll likely be moving at consistent speeds for most of the journey. While the specific transitions between roads aren't detailed, the high highway share suggests a predominantly fast-paced and direct travel experience.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 395 and Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near US 395.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 127.4 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 5.8 miles (US 395): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles (US 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.2 miles (US 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit onto US 395 toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 904 East, Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler, Cheney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kennewick, WA to Cheney, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler along the way.
Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 395 | 110.4 mi | 1h 59m |
| Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway | 9 mi | 12m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| West 1st Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Kennewick Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Yelm Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Newport Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| College Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Cheney, WA.
Start on North Newport Street
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
Turn right onto North Yelm Street
Turn right onto US 395
Take the exit onto US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
Take the exit
Turn right onto WA 904; US 10 Hist
Continue on WA 904; US 10 Hist
Turn left onto College Avenue
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Given its manageable 2-hour and 26-minute duration, this 127.4-mile trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart Kennewick at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee, and still arrive in Cheney with plenty of daylight. With no specific stops recommended, plan your own breaks as needed, especially during the longest stretch of 110.4 miles on US 395. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $27, and ensure you're comfortable with the highway driving for the majority of the route.
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.
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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.7 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cheney, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 127.4 miles and 2h 26m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.7 mi from Kennewick, WA · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 63.7 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 395 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.4 miles.
The final approach into Cheney, 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 Cheney, 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.
Regular Gas
$26.66 one way
$53.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $27.96 | $55.93 |
| premium | $5.77 | $28.93 | $57.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.13 | $56.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
| Efficient EV | 31.9 | 0 | $11.15 | $5.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51 | 0 | $17.84 | $8.15 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Kennewick on Thursday
Local time
9:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Cheney on Thursday
Local time
9:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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