Origin
Poulsbo, WA
Late night in Poulsbo on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Poulsbo, WA to Kennewick, WA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
285.4 mi
459 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 46m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 2m
8 PM
5h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Poulsbo, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 285.4-mile drive from Poulsbo, WA to Kennewick, WA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. The route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the journey on major interstates like I-90 and I-82, supplemented by US-97. With an estimated fuel cost of $60, this is a straightforward trip that keeps you moving. You'll experience a substantial stretch of uninterrupted driving on I-90, so plan your stops accordingly. This journey offers a practical way to transition between two points within Washington State, focusing on efficient travel over scenic detours.
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
142.7 miles from Poulsbo, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for almost the entirety of this trip, with 98% of the 285.4 miles spent on major interstates and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.5 miles on I-90, so settle in for some consistent cruising. This route is designed for efficiency, meaning you'll experience long, flowing sections of road rather than winding or technical driving. The character of the drive is one of steady progress, transitioning across the state on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 84.5 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 1.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 285.4 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward WA 3 South: Bremerton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 3 South: Bremerton
6
46.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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.
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
7
168.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Poulsbo, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Muckleshoot Reservation
55.7 mi in
|
~1h 15m
I‑182 East
270.7 mi in
|
~5h 17m
|
via US 12
Pasco
270.7 mi in
|
~5h 17m
|
via US 12
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 84.5 mi | 1h 33m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 97 | 37.8 mi | 42m |
| State Route 18 | 27.3 mi | 34m |
| State Highway 16 | 26.5 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 3 Northwest | 15.4 mi | 19m |
| I 5 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| WA 240 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poulsbo, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Jensen Way Northeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jensen Way Northeast
3
At end of road, turn right onto Front Street Northeast
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Front Street Northeast
4
Continue on Northwest Lindvig Way
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northwest Lindvig Way
5
Continue on Northwest Finn Hill Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Northwest Finn Hill Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward WA 3 South: Bremerton
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto WA 3
15 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on WA 3
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 3 West
9
Continue on WA 16
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
West State Route 16
10
Continue on WA 16
27 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 5
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi
·
34 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
19
Merge onto I 90
85 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 82; US 12
22
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
23
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Columbia Drive
25
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Columbia Drive
26
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Fruitland Street
27
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Kennewick Avenue
28
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Newport Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 5 hours and 36 minutes for the 285.4 miles, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow ample time for a mid-drive break. The longest stretch of 84.5 miles on I-90 suggests planning your primary stop before or after this segment. Given the $60 fuel cost, ensure your tank is full before leaving Poulsbo, as fuel availability might be more spaced out on certain highway sections. Be mindful of the transition from I-90 to I-82 as you change directions across the state.
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 142.7 miles from Poulsbo, WA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 2h 57m 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 38m
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 Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, WA
This is one driving day of about 285.4 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Poulsbo, 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 84.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.7 mi from Poulsbo, WA · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 142.7 miles from Poulsbo, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.5 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.73 one way
$119.46 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $62.64 | $125.28 |
| premium | $5.77 | $64.81 | $129.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.01 | $126.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.97 | $13.70 |
| Efficient EV | 71.4 | 0 | $24.97 | $11.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.2 | 1 | $39.96 | $18.27 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Late night in Kennewick on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
143 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
4 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
5h 36m 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 Poulsbo, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 285.4 miles and takes about 5h 36m 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 142.7 miles from Poulsbo, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.73 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 285.4 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Poulsbo, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation, I‑182 East and Pasco.
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