The drive from Newcastle, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 218.4 miles and takes about 4h 9m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, I 82, US 97 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 96.6 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.71 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
109.2 miles from Newcastle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 218.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 9m highway drive covering 218.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 96.6 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 96.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 218.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.7 miles (US 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 90 East: Issaquah, Spokane
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Issaquah, Spokane
5
5.2 mi into trip|~11m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
101.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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 I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
6
203.7 mi into trip|~3h 49m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
6
209.3 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|WA 240
Take the exit onto WA 240 toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Newcastle, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
I‑182 East
203.7 mi in|~3h 49m|via US 12
Pasco
203.7 mi in|~3h 49m|via US 12
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
96.6 mi
1h 46m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
2.9 mi
6m
Newcastle Golf Club Road
1.6 mi
3m
West Columbia Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 96.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newcastle, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Southeast 71st Street
476 ft·16 sec·Southeast 71st Street
2
Continue on 136th Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·32 sec·136th Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto Newcastle Golf Club Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Newcastle Golf Club Road
4
Continue on Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
2.9 mi·6 min·Lakemont Boulevard Southeast
5
Turn right onto Southeast Newport Way
459 ft·16 sec·Southeast Newport Way
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 90 East: Issaquah, SpokaneUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 90
97 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
10
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
11
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
13
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
14
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
15
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
16
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Newport 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 109.2 miles from Newcastle, WA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.6 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 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.2 miles or 2h 6m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennewick, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newcastle, 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 Newcastle, WA
This is one driving day of about 218.4 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Newcastle, 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 I 90 for about 96.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.2 mi from Newcastle, WA
· 2h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 109.2 miles from Newcastle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.6 miles.
Arriving in Kennewick, WA
The final approach into Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.71 one way
$91.42 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$47.94
$95.87
premium
$5.77
$49.60
$99.19
diesel
$5.61
$48.22
$96.44
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: 76.4 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
65.5
0
$22.93
$10.48
Efficient EV
54.6
0
$19.11
$8.74
EV Truck/SUV
87.4
1
$30.58
$13.98
Gas CO2
76 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Newcastle, WA
Evening
in Newcastle on Friday
Local time
5:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Evening
in Kennewick on Friday
Local time
5:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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 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 9m 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 Newcastle, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 218.4 miles and takes about 4h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 82, US 97. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.2 miles from Newcastle, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.71 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 218.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 4.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.7 miles (US 97): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Newcastle, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
