Origin
Tukwila, WA
Afternoon in Tukwila on Thursday
Local time
2:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 19m
Distance
229.1 mi
369 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tukwila, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
This 229.1-mile drive from Tukwila, WA to Kennewick, WA takes approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate I-90 and I-82, with a brief segment on US-97. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $48. This highway-focused route offers a straightforward transit across Washington State, connecting the Pacific Coast region on both ends. With its efficient path, it's designed for reaching your destination without unnecessary detours, perfect for those who prioritize direct travel.
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
114.5 miles from Tukwila, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 229.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 98% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a longest continuous stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your drive. This route is characterized by its efficiency, designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic byways. While largely interstate, the transition between I-90 and I-82 will subtly shift the landscape as you move eastward across the state.
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 0.2 miles in near Interurban Avenue South.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 229.1 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 0.2 miles (Interurban Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Interurban Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 405 North: Renton, Everett
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tukwila, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
I‑182 East
Pasco
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 100.5 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 97 | 37.8 mi | 42m |
| I 405 | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| WA 240 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| US 12 | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Interurban Avenue South | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Columbia Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tukwila, WA and Kennewick, WA.
Start on South 144th Street
Turn left onto 58th Avenue South
Continue on South 141st Place
Turn right onto Interurban Avenue South
Continue on WA 181
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto US 97
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
For this 4-hour and 19-minute drive, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Kennewick without feeling rushed. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; consider planning your one scheduled stop around the halfway point for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach your destination, as the estimated cost is $48. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from I-90 to I-82, as it’s a key point where the road character changes.
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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 11m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennewick, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tukwila, 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 Tukwila, WA
This is one driving day of about 229.1 miles and 4h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.5 mi from Tukwila, WA · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 114.5 miles from Tukwila, 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 100.5 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
$47.95 one way
$95.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $50.28 | $100.57 |
| premium | $5.77 | $52.03 | $104.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.58 | $101.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.06 | $11.00 |
| Efficient EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.05 | $9.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.07 | $14.66 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Tukwila on Thursday
Local time
2:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Kennewick on Thursday
Local time
2:58 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Tukwila, WA or browse trips ending in Kennewick, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Tukwila, WA or Kennewick, WA on MapSof.net.