Arlington, WA to Kennewick, WA is 266.8 miles and takes about 5h 7m via I-90, I-82, and US-97, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive spans 266.8 miles across Washington state, taking you from the Pacific Coast region towards the interior. Expect a largely consistent driving experience on major interstates for most of the journey. With a recommended one-day drive time of just over 5 hours, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get across the state without extensive detours. Consider this trip for its straightforward path and predictable travel time.
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
133.4 miles from Arlington, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
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
I 5
25.4 mi
31m
I 405
18 mi
22m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
WA 530
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Continue on East Division Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·East Division Street
3
Enter roundabout onto West Division Street
78 ft·2 sec·West Division Street
4
Continue on West Division Street
345 ft·11 sec·West Division Street
5
Continue on WA 530
1.1 mi·1 min·WA 530
6
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
42 ft·0 sec·WA 530
7
Continue on WA 530
0.3 mi·26 sec·WA 530
8
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
58 ft·1 sec·WA 530
9
Continue on WA 530
2.5 mi·3 min·WA 530
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
11
Merge onto I 5
25 mi·31 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
17 mi·21 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
20
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
21
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
23
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
24
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
25
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
26
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 5 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow ample time for a comfortable pace. There's one recommended stop, but you can be flexible with your timing given the relatively short driving time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 100.5-mile stretch on I-90, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. A specific tip: ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave, as this route involves primarily highway driving where consistent speed is key.
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 133.4 miles from Arlington, WA, or about 2h 37m 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 59 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.4 miles or 2h 37m 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 11m
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 Arlington, 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 Arlington, WA
This is one driving day of about 266.8 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Arlington, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.7 and 150.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
29.7 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
31.5 mi into trip|~41m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
48.6 mi into trip|~1h 2m 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
49 mi into trip|~1h 3m 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
150.1 mi into trip|~2h 56m 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
$55.84 one way
$111.68 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$58.56
$117.12
premium
$5.77
$60.59
$121.17
diesel
$5.61
$58.91
$117.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.01
$12.81
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.35
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.35
$17.08
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Arlington, WA
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
1:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Late night
in Kennewick on Tuesday
Local time
1:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Monroe, WA
133 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
24 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 98% highway-focused drive, so anticipate mostly high-speed travel on well-maintained interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 100.5 miles on I-90, offering a significant period of consistent cruising. As you transition from I-90 to I-82 and then US-97, the road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency over varied scenery. While the focus is on getting you there quickly, the expansive views typical of Washington's landscapes will still be present. This route prioritizes a smooth, direct journey.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 29.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 266.8 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 29.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.5 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.6 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.
Between Arlington, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Renton, Seattle, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Kennewick is a city in Benton County along the Columbia River of Washington State, roughly between the Yakima and Snake Rivers on the south bank of the Columbia.
Kennewick is the largest of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Pasco and Richland. The Tri-Cities are the third most populous metropolitan area in the state, after Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 266.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 miles on I 90. 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 29.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.5 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kennewick, WA before the return drive.
