Origin
Kennewick, WA
Afternoon in Kennewick on Friday
Local time
1:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kennewick, WA to Yelm, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
238.1 mi
383 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Yelm, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 238.1-mile journey from Kennewick, WA, to Yelm, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 53 minutes. With 89% of the route on highways, it's a practical option for a single-day trip, making it ideal if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $50, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. You'll primarily be on US 12 and State Route 7, offering a consistent driving experience. This route is a good choice if you want a no-fuss drive across Washington.
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
119 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 238.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 89% of your travel occurring on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 176.3 miles along US 12, meaning you'll have plenty of opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While much of the drive is on main highways, you will transition onto Mountain Highway East and State Route 7, which may offer slightly different road conditions and speeds as you approach your destination. Overall, the personality of this route is one of steady progress rather than winding, scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 176.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and Mountain Highway East. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in near WA 240.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 238.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 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
225.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
|
WA 702 / State Route 702 East
Turn left onto WA 702 / State Route 702 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kennewick, WA and Yelm, 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 | 176.3 mi | 3h 22m |
| Mountain Highway East | 19.2 mi | 29m |
| State Route 7 | 13.7 mi | 18m |
| WA 240 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| State Route 702 East | 9.3 mi | 13m |
| Morton Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| State Route 507 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Yelm Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 176.3 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Yelm, 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
88 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
US 12
13
Turn right onto WA 7
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
2nd Street
14
Continue on WA 7
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Morton Road
15
Continue on WA 7
14 mi
·
18 min
·
State Route 7
16
Turn left onto WA 7
19 mi
·
29 min
·
Mountain Highway East
17
Turn left onto WA 702
9.3 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 702 East
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto WA 507
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spanaway McKenna Highway
19
Continue on WA 507
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 507
20
Continue on WA 507
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Yelm Avenue
21
Turn right onto North 1st Street
164 ft
·
5 sec
·
North 1st Street
22
Turn right
54 ft
·
4 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 53-minute duration, starting your drive from Kennewick in the morning is a good idea to allow for a relaxed pace and potential brief stops. With only one suggested stop on this route, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $50, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before the longest stretch on US 12. Driving this route in a single day is very feasible, so you don't need to worry about booking overnight stays unless you wish to explore along the way.
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 119 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.3 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 18m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yelm, 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 238.1 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 176.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119 mi from Kennewick, WA · 2h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119 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 176.3 miles.
Arriving in Yelm, WA
The final approach into Yelm, 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 Yelm, 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
$49.83 one way
$99.66 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $52.26 | $104.52 |
| premium | $5.77 | $54.07 | $108.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.57 | $105.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.4 | 0 | $25.00 | $11.43 |
| Efficient EV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.83 | $9.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.2 | 1 | $33.33 | $15.24 |
Gas CO2
83 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
Yelm, WA
Afternoon in Yelm on Friday
Local time
1:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 53m 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 Yelm, WA covers 238.1 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, Mountain Highway East, State Route 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119 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 $49.83 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 238.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 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 Yelm, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, 1St Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches and White Pass.
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.
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