Origin
Wenatchee, WA
Morning in Wenatchee on Friday
Local time
9:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wenatchee, WA to Kennewick, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
131.6 mi
212 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wenatchee, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Wenatchee, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 131.6 miles and takes about 2h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Route 243, State Route 28, I 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.2 miles on State Route 243. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.8 miles from Wenatchee, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 131.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 56m highway drive covering 131.6 miles, with most of the trip on State Route 243 and State Route 28. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.2 miles on State Route 243.
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.
State Route 243 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 243 and State Route 28. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WA 285 / South Chelan Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 131.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles (WA 285 / South Chelan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 285 / South Chelan Avenue
Turn left onto WA 285 / South Chelan Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
41.7 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward I 90 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 West
5
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward WA 26 East: Othello, Richland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Richland
5
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
WA 243 / State Route 243
Enter roundabout onto WA 243 / State Route 243 toward Yakima
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward Yakima
6
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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 Wenatchee, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Richland and Yakima.
Richland
53.1 mi in
|
~1h 9m
Yakima
69.1 mi in
|
~1h 33m
|
via WA 243
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 243 | 54.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| State Route 28 | 25.8 mi | 33m |
| I 90 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| White Trail Road | 8.8 mi | 12m |
| Vantage Highway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| WA 240 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| State Route 281 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Bypass Highway | 5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 243
— 54.2 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wenatchee, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Orondo Avenue
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Orondo Avenue
2
Turn left onto WA 285
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chelan Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto WA 285
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Route 285
4
Turn straight onto WA 285
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mission Street
5
Turn left onto WA 285
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
WA 285
6
Take the ramp onto State Route 28
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
State Route 28
7
Merge onto WA 28
26 mi
·
32 min
·
State Route 28
8
Enter roundabout onto White Trail Road
15 ft
·
0 sec
·
White Trail Road
9
Continue on White Trail Road
8.8 mi
·
12 min
·
White Trail Road
10
Turn right onto WA 281
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 281
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 90 West
12
Merge onto I 90
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 90
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Richland
14
Continue on WA 26
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 26
15
Turn right onto WA 243
14 mi
·
21 min
·
State Route 243
16
Enter roundabout onto WA 243
96 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Route 243
Toward Yakima
17
Continue on WA 243
40 mi
·
51 min
·
State Route 243
Toward Yakima
18
Enter roundabout
99 ft
·
1 sec
19
Continue
313 ft
·
5 sec
20
Turn straight onto WA 240
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Vantage Highway
21
Take the ramp
342 ft
·
5 sec
22
Merge onto WA 240
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Bypass Highway
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
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 65.8 miles from Wenatchee, WA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.2 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 29 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.8 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
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 Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee, WA
This is one driving day of about 131.6 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Wenatchee, 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 State Route 243 for about 54.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.8 mi from Wenatchee, WA · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.8 miles from Wenatchee, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$27.54 one way
$55.09 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $28.88 | $57.77 |
| premium | $5.77 | $29.88 | $59.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.06 | $58.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Morning in Kennewick on Friday
Local time
9:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Quincy, WA
66 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
15 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
2h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Wenatchee, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 131.6 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 243, State Route 28, I 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.8 miles from Wenatchee, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 131.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.1 miles (WA 285 / South Chelan Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 41.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 53.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Wenatchee, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Richland and Yakima.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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