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Trip from Kennewick, WA to Cheney, WA

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 16m ★
6 AM
2h 26m
8 AM
2h 46m
10 AM
2h 33m
12 PM
2h 31m
3 PM
2h 34m
5 PM
2h 45m
8 PM
2h 20m

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

city in Benton County, Washington, USA

Kennewick, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in the U.S. state of Washington

Cheney, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 395 is the longest continuous segment at about 110.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

7
5.8 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 395

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Stree...
6
6 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 395

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 toward US 395

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 395
7
6.2 mi into trip | ~10m in | US 395

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395 North: Spokane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 395 North: Spokane
5
116.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

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

Toward SR 904 East, Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler...
5
127.4 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

116.2 mi in | ~2h 8m

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 395 — 110.4 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Newport Street

0.1 mi · 35 sec · North Newport Street
2

Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Kennewick Avenue
3

Turn right onto North Yelm Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · North Yelm Street
4

Turn right onto US 395

4.6 mi · 6 min · Lewis and Clark Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit onto US 395

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 395
Toward US 395 north, SR 397 south (Oregon Street): Spokane, Finley Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 395

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 395
Toward US 395
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 395

110 mi · 1 hr 58 min · US 395
Toward US 395 North: Spokane Use the slight right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward SR 904 East, Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler, Cheney
9

Turn right onto WA 904; US 10 Hist

9.0 mi · 12 min · Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway
10

Continue on WA 904; US 10 Hist

1.9 mi · 3 min · West 1st Street
11

Turn left onto College Avenue

141 ft · 9 sec · College Avenue
12

Turn left

149 ft · 10 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

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 63.7 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.4 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 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.

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 127.4 miles and 2h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Kennewick, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 395 for about 110.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

small city, county seat of Adams County, Washington, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ritzville, WA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Basin City, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ritzville, WA

Meal break

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 check

Top up before US 395 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.4 miles.

Arriving in Cheney, WA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.66 one way

$53.33 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kennewick, WA

Night in Kennewick on Thursday

Local time

9:58 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cheney, WA

Night in Cheney on Thursday

Local time

9:58 PM

PDT

Current temp

44°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

7 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

2h 26m 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 Kennewick, WA to Cheney, WA covers 127.4 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 395, Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson Memorial Highway, Lewis and Clark Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.7 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 $26.66 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 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.
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.
On the drive from Kennewick, WA to Cheney, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Tyler Cheney Highway: Tyler along the way.

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