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Create accountDrive Time
5h 6m
Distance
258.9 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olympia, WA
Harrison Reilly
Kennewick, WA
Frank Cone
Connecting Olympia to Kennewick is a straightforward 258.9-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 6 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $54 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route utilizes a combination of I-5, US 12, and I-82 to traverse the state. While both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, the drive transitions you from the western side of the mountains into the interior landscape of Washington. It is a highly practical route for travelers prioritizing efficiency over side-road exploration.
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
129.4 miles from Olympia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
This route is almost entirely highway-based, with 99% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on paved, high-speed roads, making for a consistent and predictable driving experience. A significant portion of the journey involves a 148.3-mile stretch along US 12, which serves as the backbone of your trip. Because the roads are primarily interstates and US highways, you can expect a steady rhythm behind the wheel without the technical challenges of local backroads. The character of the drive remains functional and fast-paced, ideal for those who prefer to minimize navigation complexity.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
3,998 ft
Total Descent
3,688 ft
Highest Point
3,633 ft
~118.7 mi in
Elevation Range
3,536 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 82. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 11th Avenue Southeast.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 6m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (11th Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (14th Avenue Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 37.3 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 11th Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit onto WA 240 toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Between Olympia, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Yakima
I‑182 East
Pasco
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 148.3 mi | 3h |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 5 | 36.1 mi | 40m |
| WA 240 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| West Columbia Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Fruitland Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Kennewick Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 14th Avenue Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Olympia, WA and Kennewick, WA.
Start on Capitol Way South
Turn right onto 11th Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Jefferson Street Southeast
Enter roundabout onto 14th Avenue Southeast
Continue on 14th Avenue Southeast
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit onto US 12
Continue on US 12
Continue on US 12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
Take the exit onto US 12
Take the exit onto WA 240
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
Continue on West Columbia Drive
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
Turn right onto North Newport Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic near the urban centers. Given the length of the trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially during the long 148.3-mile segment on US 12. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout this stretch, as service options can vary once you leave the more populated areas. Since the route is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal energy levels. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to ensure you have your route mapped out before hitting I-82, as the transition between highways requires clear attention to signage.
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.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.4 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennewick, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Olympia, 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 Olympia, WA
This is one driving day of about 258.9 miles and 5h 6m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.4 mi from Olympia, WA · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 129.4 miles from Olympia, 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 148.3 miles.
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.
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.
Regular Gas
$54.34 one way
$108.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $56.74 | $113.49 |
| premium | $5.77 | $58.82 | $117.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.52 | $115.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.18 | $12.43 |
| Efficient EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.65 | $10.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.25 | $16.57 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Olympia on Sunday
Local time
8:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
8:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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