Origin
White Center, WA
Afternoon in White Center on Saturday
Local time
1:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from White Center, WA to Kennewick, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
231.7 mi
373 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
White Center, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Kennewick, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from White Center, WA to Kennewick, WA covers 231.7 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel, I 82, US 97 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.49 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
115.9 miles from White Center, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel | 107 mi | 1h 59m |
| I 82 | 64.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| US 97 | 37.8 mi | 42m |
| WA 240 | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| US 12 | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| I 5 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| I 90 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Roxbury Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
— 107 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between White Center, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Southwest Roxbury Street
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Roxbury Street
2
Turn slight left onto Olson Place Southwest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Olson Place Southwest
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward WA 509 North: Seattle
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto WA 509
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 509
5
Continue on WA 99
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
1st Avenue South Bridge
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Michigan Street
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto South Michigan Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Michigan Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn slight right onto South Bailey Street
279 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Bailey Street
Use the slight right / right lanes.
9
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 5, I 90
Use the left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
11
Merge onto I 5
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 5
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 164A
Toward I 90 East, I 5 North: Dearborn Street, James Street, Madison Street, Spokane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
107 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 82; US 12
18
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
19
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
West Columbia Drive
21
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Columbia Drive
22
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Fruitland Street
23
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Kennewick Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Newport Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
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 115.9 miles from White Center, WA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 2h 16m 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 37m
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 White Center, 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 White Center, WA
This is one driving day of about 231.7 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from White Center, 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 Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel for about 107 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.9 miles from White Center, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 115 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward Michigan Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Michigan Street
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Turn left toward I 5, I 90
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 5, I 90
8
6.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East, I 5 North: Dearborn Street, James Street, Madison Street, Spokane
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 164A
Toward I 90 East, I 5 North: Dearborn Street, J...
7
6.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
115 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.49 one way
$96.99 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $50.86 | $101.71 |
| premium | $5.77 | $52.62 | $105.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.16 | $102.31 |
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: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.33 | $11.12 |
| Efficient EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.44 | $14.83 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Afternoon in Kennewick on Saturday
Local time
1:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
4h 26m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
231.7 mi in 4h 26m — 51% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107 mi on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 231.7 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between White Center, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
I‑182 East
217 mi in
|
~4h 6m
|
via US 12
Pasco
217 mi in
|
~4h 6m
|
via US 12
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 231.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107 miles on Mount Baker Ridge Tunnel. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kennewick, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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