Origin
Kennewick, WA
Evening in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
8:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kennewick, WA to Yakima, WA
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
84 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennewick, WA
Frank Cone
Trip Overview
Connecting Kennewick to Yakima is a straightforward 84-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 37 minutes to complete. This trip is perfectly suited as a simple day excursion, requiring no overnight stays to manage the distance comfortably. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to cover the transit between these two Pacific Coast region cities. Because the route is compact, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery. Expect a direct, efficient drive that keeps you moving toward your destination without the need for complex planning or multiple rest stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 96% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will navigate primarily via US 12, WA 240, and eventually East Yakima Avenue as you approach the city. The most significant portion of your travel occurs on a 69.1-mile uninterrupted stretch along US 12, which defines the steady pace of the drive. While the road remains consistent and fast-moving, the transition from open highway to the local streets of Yakima provides a clear shift in the driving environment. It is a no-nonsense commute that favors speed and reliability over winding, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 69.1 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 0.7 miles in near North Fruitland Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 84 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 0.7 miles (North Fruitland Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Fruitland Street
Turn left onto North Fruitland Street
Navigation decision point
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
82.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Take the exit toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
5
82.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Yakima Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Yakima Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 69.1 mi | 1h 14m |
| WA 240 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| East Yakima Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| North Fruitland Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Kennewick Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Columbia Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Newport Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| I 182 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 69.1 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Yakima, 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
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Yakima Avenue, Terrace Heights
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Yakima Avenue
12
Turn straight onto East Yakima Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Yakima Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto South 1st Street
75 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 1st Street
14
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart at almost any time of day without worrying about fatigue. Given the lack of mandatory stops, you can easily complete the 84-mile trek in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Kennewick is always a smart move. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on major highways, remain alert to changing traffic patterns as you transition off US 12 and into the local roads of Yakima. Use the flexibility of this short drive to your benefit by planning your departure around peak traffic hours to ensure the smoothest possible transition into the city center.
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 42 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.1 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 42 miles or 49m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yakima, 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 84 miles and 1h 37m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 69.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42 mi from Kennewick, WA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 42 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 69.1 miles.
Arriving in Yakima, WA
The final approach into Yakima, 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 Yakima, 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
$17.63 one way
$35.26 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $18.41 | $36.82 |
| premium | $5.77 | $19.09 | $38.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.66 | $37.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.82 | $4.03 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.76 | $5.38 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Yakima, WA
Evening in Yakima on Sunday
Local time
8:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°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
1h 37m 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 Yakima, WA covers 84 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, WA 240, East Yakima Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42 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 $17.63 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 is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 84 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 0.7 miles (North Fruitland Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
The route from Kennewick, WA to Yakima, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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