Spanning 242.4 miles, the drive from Fircrest to Kennewick is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes. Because the route is highway-focused, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $51 for fuel to cover the trip. By utilizing I-90, I-82, and US-97, you will transition from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior of Washington. It is a practical, efficient route for travelers looking to move across the state quickly rather than taking a slow, scenic detour.
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
121.2 miles from Fircrest, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
84.5 mi
1h 33m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
WA 16
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fircrest, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Alameda Avenue
0.2 mi·45 sec·Alameda Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn right onto Columbia Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·Columbia Avenue
3
Continue on South 19th Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·South 19th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Orchard Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, PortlandUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto WA 16
1.9 mi·2 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 5
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
15
Merge onto I 90
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
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: YakimaUse 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 102Toward 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: KennewickUse 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
Since this is a 4 hour and 40 minute haul, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to leave early in the morning to avoid peak traffic congestion, which can be unpredictable on these major corridors. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer segments, particularly that 84.5-mile stretch on I-90, to ensure you don't run low between service stations. Because the drive is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or your own energy levels. Prioritize consistent speed to make the most of the highway-heavy infrastructure.
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 121.2 miles from Fircrest, WA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 53 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.2 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 49m
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 Fircrest, 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 Fircrest, WA
This is one driving day of about 242.4 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Fircrest, 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 84.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 125.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|South Orchard Street
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
7
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
12.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
7
125.6 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
$50.73 one way
$101.46 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$53.20
$106.41
premium
$5.77
$55.05
$110.09
diesel
$5.61
$53.52
$107.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.7
0
$25.45
$11.64
Efficient EV
60.6
0
$21.21
$9.70
EV Truck/SUV
97
1
$33.94
$15.51
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 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 15, 2026
Origin
Fircrest, WA
Night
in Fircrest on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Night
in Kennewick on Saturday
Local time
9:21 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
4 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
4h 40m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 25.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 98% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel on high-speed interstates, including a significant 84.5-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-90. Expect a fast-paced environment where the road remains consistent and predictable for the driver. As you move from the coastal areas, the character of the road stays focused on high-capacity transit, minimizing the need for technical maneuvering or navigating complex local turns. It is a classic interstate grind designed for steady, long-distance progress.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 0.7 miles in near South Orchard Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 242.4 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 0.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fircrest, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Muckleshoot Reservation
12.6 mi in|~18m
I‑182 East
227.6 mi in|~4h 20m|via US 12
Pasco
227.6 mi in|~4h 20m|via US 12
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 242.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m 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 84.5 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 0.7 miles (South Orchard Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
