Hazel Dell, WA to Kennewick, WA is 220 miles and takes about 4h 13m via Columbia River Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Washington, taking you from the Pacific Coast region towards the interior. Expect a route with frequent turns, best suited for those who prefer a more engaging drive over a straight shot. Given the relatively short duration and the modest fuel cost, this is a straightforward journey.
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
110 miles from Hazel Dell, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.1 mi
2h 55m
McNary Highway
29.9 mi
33m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.4 mi
12m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.2 mi
6m
Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge
4.1 mi
5m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
3.3 mi
4m
I 5
2 mi
2m
West 10th Avenue
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hazel Dell, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Northeast 68th Street
136 ft·9 sec·Northeast 68th Street
2
Turn left onto Northeast Highway 99
0.9 mi·1 min·Northeast Highway 99
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
4
Merge onto I 5
2.0 mi·2 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward WA 14 East: CamasUse the slight right lane.
6
Continue on WA 14
5.2 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 6Toward I 205: Salem, SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·55 sec
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 205
4.1 mi·5 min·Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 22Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 55 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla
14
Continue on I 82
30 mi·33 min·McNary Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
16
Turn right onto West 10th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West 10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto South Olympia Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Olympia Street
18
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
152 ft·9 sec·West Kennewick Avenue
19
Turn left onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. The route involves 1 designated stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on Columbia River Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $46, and it’s always wise to top off before heading into less populated areas. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the various highway changes beforehand using your GPS to minimize any potential confusion during the turn-heavy sections.
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 110 miles from Hazel Dell, WA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.1 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110 miles or 2h 7m 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 25m
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 Hazel Dell, 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 Hazel Dell, WA
This is one driving day of about 220 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Hazel Dell, 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 Columbia River Highway for about 158.1 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 3.1 and 214.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward WA 14 East: Camas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1A
Toward WA 14 East: Camas
8
9 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
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 6
Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
7
9.3 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
13.8 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
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 22
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
6
214.8 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.04 one way
$92.09 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$48.29
$96.57
premium
$5.77
$49.96
$99.92
diesel
$5.61
$48.57
$97.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66
0
$23.10
$10.56
Efficient EV
55
0
$19.25
$8.80
EV Truck/SUV
88
1
$30.80
$14.08
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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 16, 2026
Origin
Hazel Dell, WA
Afternoon
in Hazel Dell on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Afternoon
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
1:23 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
10 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 13m 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?
This route is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more involved drive than a typical highway cruise. While 100% of this drive utilizes main roads, you won't be on a single highway for the entire 220 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 158.1 miles along the Columbia River Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving before the road network shifts. You'll navigate using a combination of Columbia River Highway, McNary Highway, and Old Oregon Trail Highway, indicating a dynamic driving experience.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.1 mi on Columbia River Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 220 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 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.
On the drive from Hazel Dell, WA to Kennewick, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Umatilla along the way.
Umatilla
184.1 mi in|~3h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 220 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.1 miles on Columbia River Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
