Origin
Kennewick, WA
Afternoon in Kennewick on Friday
Local time
1:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kennewick, WA to Newcastle, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
218.7 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Newcastle, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
The drive from Kennewick, WA to Newcastle, WA covers 218.7 miles and takes about 4h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 97, US 12, I 82 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.7 miles on US 97. At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.77 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
109.3 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 218.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 10m highway drive covering 218.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 97 and US 12. The longest continuous stretch is about 97.7 miles on US 97.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 97.7 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 218.7 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 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
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
213.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Bo...
5
213.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
|
West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Turn right onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Newcastle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Yakima
13.5 mi in
|
~18m
|
via US 12
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 97.7 mi | 1h 49m |
| US 12 | 70.9 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 82 | 31 mi | 33m |
| WA 240 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| Lakemont Boulevard Southeast | 3 mi | 6m |
| Newcastle Golf Club Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| North Fruitland Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Kennewick Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Newcastle, 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
98 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
US 97
Toward I 90 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 13
Toward West Lake Sammamish Parkway, Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
203 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
Use the right lane.
14
Turn slight left onto West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
West Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
15
Continue on Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on Newcastle Golf Club Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Newcastle Golf Club Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto 136th Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
136th Avenue Southeast
18
Continue on Southeast 71st Street
476 ft
·
16 sec
·
Southeast 71st Street
19
Arrive at destination
Southeast 71st Street
Trip Plan
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 109.3 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 2h 2m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Newcastle, 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 218.7 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.3 mi from Kennewick, WA · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109.3 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 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
Arriving in Newcastle, WA
The final approach into Newcastle, 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 Newcastle, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.77 one way
$91.54 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
| premium | $5.77 | $49.66 | $99.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.29 | $96.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.96 | $10.50 |
| Efficient EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.14 | $8.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.5 | 1 | $30.62 | $14.00 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Newcastle, WA
Afternoon in Newcastle on Friday
Local time
1:40 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 10m 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 Newcastle, WA covers 218.7 miles and takes about 4h 10m 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 109.3 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 $45.77 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 218.7 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.
On the drive from Kennewick, WA to Newcastle, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Newcastle, WA
Explore more options from Kennewick, WA or browse trips ending in Newcastle, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.