Traveling from Centralia to Kennewick covers a distance of 235.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on completing the journey in a single day. You can expect to spend approximately $49 on fuel for the trip. Navigating this path involves transitioning through local streets like South Pearl Street, West Cherry Street, and Alder Street. Since the entire drive stays within Washington state, it serves as a straightforward, manageable regional transit. It is a practical choice if you prefer local roads over high-speed highway 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
117.9 miles from Centralia, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
148.3 mi
3h
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
I 5
12.4 mi
14m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
West Columbia Drive
0.7 mi
1m
North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi
1m
West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Mellen Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 148.3 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centralia, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on East Main Street
331 ft·20 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto WA 507
0.4 mi·1 min·South Pearl Street
3
Turn right onto WA 507
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Cherry Street
4
Turn slight left onto WA 507
0.3 mi·39 sec·Alder Street
5
Turn slight right onto WA 507
0.4 mi·1 min·Mellen Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto Airport Road
0.1 mi·17 sec·Airport Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
8
Merge onto I 5; US 12
12 mi·14 min·I 5; US 12
9
Take the exit onto US 12
0.4 mi·1 min·US 12
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
10
Continue on US 12
119 mi·2 hr 22 min·US 12
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 12
23 mi·30 min·US 12
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
13
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
14
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
16
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
17
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
18
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a 235.5-mile journey on local roads, aim to leave early in the day to avoid fatigue from the frequent turns. You have one planned stop available to stretch your legs, which is helpful given the nature of the drive. Keep your $49 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling schedule, as local roads may offer different gas station access than major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset on this trip, so don't feel rushed to reach Kennewick in one go if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Prioritize checking your route map frequently, as the reliance on streets like Alder and West Cherry means you will be making more turns than you would on a standard highway route.
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 117.9 miles from Centralia, WA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 52 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.9 miles or 2h 24m 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 52m
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 Centralia, 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 Centralia, WA
This is one driving day of about 235.8 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Centralia, 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 US 12 for about 148.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 226.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|WA 507 / South Pearl Street
Turn left onto WA 507 / South Pearl Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.3 mi into trip|~4m in|Airport Road
Turn left onto Airport Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
14.2 mi into trip|~19m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
6
221.1 mi into trip|~4h 22m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
6
226.6 mi into trip|~4h 28m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.35 one way
$98.70 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$51.76
$103.51
premium
$5.77
$53.55
$107.09
diesel
$5.61
$52.06
$104.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.76
$11.32
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.63
$9.43
EV Truck/SUV
94.3
1
$33.01
$15.09
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Centralia, WA
Night
in Centralia on Saturday
Local time
9:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Night
in Kennewick on Saturday
Local time
9:22 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
9 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 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, you will be navigating local thoroughfares rather than high-speed motorways, resulting in a highway share of 0%. The road demands your full attention due to its frequent turns and local nature. Behind the wheel, you will notice the route maintains a consistent, technical pace from start to finish. Because you are avoiding major highways, the drive offers a steady, uninterrupted flow of local road segments that keep the journey engaging throughout the 4 hour and 15 minute duration.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 mi on US 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 82. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near WA 507 / South Pearl Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 235.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 507 / South Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Centralia, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Centralia is a city in southwestern Washington State. It is a great place to stop for food and supplies when traveling between Seattle and Portland, as it is almost exactly halfway between the two. It is a twin city with Chehalis to the south.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 235.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m 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 148.3 miles on US 12. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (WA 507 / South Pearl Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (Airport Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.2 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
