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Trip from Port Townsend, WA to Kennewick, WA

Drive Time

6h 21m

Distance

281.3 mi

453 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 9m ★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 30m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 45m
8 PM
6h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Washington, United States

Port Townsend, WA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Benton County, Washington, USA

Kennewick, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Port Townsend, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 281.3 miles and takes about 6h 21m 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 100.5 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.04 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

140.7 miles from Port Townsend, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 21m highway drive covering 281.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 100.5 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 35 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 100.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 281.3 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 0.9 miles (WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.7 miles (WA 20 / South Engle Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 63.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
6.7 mi into trip | ~37m in | WA 20 / South Engle Road

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20 / South Engle Road

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

8
63.1 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in

Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle

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 11 Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
63.5 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
164.6 mi into trip | ~4h 10m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Port Townsend, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Seattle, I‑182 East and Pasco.

Seattle

63.1 mi in | ~2h 16m

I‑182 East

266.6 mi in | ~6h 2m | via US 12

Pasco

266.6 mi in | ~6h 2m | via US 12

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 100.5 mi 1h 51m
I 82 64.1 mi 1h 8m
US 97 37.8 mi 42m
State Route 525 22 mi 32m
I 405 18.4 mi 22m
Mukilteo Speedway 7.7 mi 13m
WA 240 7.3 mi 9m
Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry 5.8 mi 35m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Townsend, WA and Kennewick, WA.

1

Start on Tyler Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Tyler Street
2

Turn left onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Jefferson Street
3

Continue on Quincy Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Quincy Street
4

Turn right onto Water Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Water Street
5

Turn left onto WA 20

96 ft · 2 sec · Ferry Dock
6

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 20

483 ft · 10 sec · Ferry Dock
7

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20

159 ft · 3 sec · Port Townsend Slip 2
8

Continue on WA 20

5.8 mi · 35 min · Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry
9

Continue on WA 20

239 ft · 8 sec · State Route 20
10

At end of road, turn right onto WA 20

517 ft · 17 sec · South Engle Road
11

Continue on WA 20

3.3 mi · 5 min · State Route 20
12

Turn right onto WA 525

22 mi · 32 min · State Route 525
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on 2

409 ft · 9 sec · 2
14

Turn right onto WA 525

200 ft · 11 sec · Ferry Dock
15

Continue on WA 525

3.0 mi · 20 min · Mukilteo-Clinton Ferry
16

Continue on WA 525

0.4 mi · 2 min · WA 525
Use the right lane.
17

At end of road, turn left onto WA 525

1.9 mi · 4 min · Mukilteo Speedway
Use the left / right lanes.
18

Turn left onto WA 526

0.4 mi · 44 sec · 84th Street Southwest
19

Turn right onto WA 525 Spur

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Paine Field Boulevard
20

Turn slight left onto WA 525

5.8 mi · 9 min · Mukilteo Speedway
Use the left / straight lanes.
21

Continue on I 405

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 405
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

17 mi · 21 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 11 Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle Use the slight right lane.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane Use the slight left lane.
25

Merge onto I 90

101 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit onto US 97

38 mi · 42 min · US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12

64 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 82; US 12
28

Take the exit onto US 12

5.5 mi · 5 min · US 12
Exit 102 Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
29

Take the exit onto WA 240

7.3 mi · 9 min · WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: Kennewick Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive

0.1 mi · 9 sec · West Columbia Drive
31

Continue on West Columbia Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Columbia Drive
32

Turn right onto North Fruitland Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Fruitland Street
33

Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Kennewick Avenue
34

Turn right onto North Newport Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · North Newport Street
35

Arrive at destination

North Newport Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.7 miles from Port Townsend, WA, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 2h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 140.7 miles or 3h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 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 Port Townsend, 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 Port Townsend, WA

This is one driving day of about 281.3 miles and 6h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Port Townsend, 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 100.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.7 mi from Port Townsend, WA · 3h 44m into the drive

city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monroe, WA

141 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

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.7 miles from Port Townsend, 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 100.5 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.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

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...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 58.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.04 one way

$118.08 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $61.65 $123.31
premium $5.77 $63.91 $127.83
diesel $5.64 $62.50 $124.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.4 1 $29.54 $13.50
Efficient EV 70.3 0 $24.61 $11.25
EV Truck/SUV 112.5 1 $39.38 $18.00

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Port Townsend, WA

Afternoon in Port Townsend on Monday

Local time

3:00 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Chance Light Rain

W 8 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Destination

Kennewick, WA

Afternoon in Kennewick on Monday

Local time

3:00 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

52°F

Monroe, WA

141 mi in

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

10 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

6h 21m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Port Townsend, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 281.3 miles and takes about 6h 21m 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 140.7 miles from Port Townsend, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 25 significant decision points across 281.3 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 0.9 miles (WA 20 / Port Townsend Slip 2): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.7 miles (WA 20 / South Engle Road): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 63.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Port Townsend, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Seattle, I‑182 East and Pasco.

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