Connecting Kennewick to Bremerton takes you across 270.6 miles of Washington state landscape. Plan for about 5 hours and 19 minutes of active driving, making this a very manageable single-day trip. You will primarily utilize I-82, US 12, and US 97 to complete the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $57, it is an affordable trek for most vehicles. While you could easily push through in one go, building in at least one planned stop will keep you fresh behind the wheel. Since both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, the drive maintains a consistent geographical feel as you navigate toward the Puget Sound area.
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
135.3 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
WA 16
28.1 mi
36m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
WA 240
11.6 mi
13m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
Charleston Boulevard
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Bremerton, WA.
1
Start on North Newport Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·North Newport Street
2
Turn left onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
4
Turn left onto West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
5
Enter roundabout onto WA 240
0.1 mi·8 sec·WA 240
6
Continue on WA 240
6.4 mi·8 min·WA 240
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 240
5.1 mi·5 min·WA 240
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 182; US 12
0.1 mi·7 sec·I 182; US 12
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
10
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
15
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
19
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·I 5
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 132BToward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto WA 16
28 mi·36 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 36Toward WA 304 East: BremertonUse the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on WA 304
1.3 mi·2 min·Charleston Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on WA 304
0.3 mi·51 sec·North Callow Avenue
27
Turn right onto 6th Street
1.0 mi·3 min·6th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
6th Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a five-plus hour drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Bremerton area. Keep your single planned stop in mind to break up the 270.6-mile trek, especially during that long 85.7-mile stretch on US 97 where amenities might be more spread out. Since your fuel budget is roughly $57, filling your tank before you leave Kennewick is a smart way to simplify your logistics. Flexibility is your best asset on this route, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a quick reset. Always double-check your route map before heading out to ensure you are comfortable with the transitions between I-82, US 12, and US 97.
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 135.3 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.3 miles or 2h 31m 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 Bremerton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kennewick, 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 Kennewick, WA
This is one driving day of about 270.6 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Kennewick, 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 97 for about 85.7 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.5 and 238.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
7
201.2 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
201.5 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
8
229.2 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
238.5 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.63 one way
$113.27 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$59.39
$118.79
premium
$5.77
$61.45
$122.90
diesel
$5.61
$59.75
$119.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.2
1
$28.41
$12.99
Efficient EV
67.7
0
$23.68
$10.82
EV Truck/SUV
108.2
1
$37.88
$17.32
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Kennewick, WA
Evening
in Kennewick on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bremerton, WA
Evening
in Bremerton on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
135 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
4 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
5h 19m 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 270.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 97% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. The road feels efficient and direct, though you should prepare for a significant 85.7-mile stretch on US 97 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The transition between these major routes keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, even though the highway reliance remains high. You will spend most of your time maintaining consistent speeds, allowing for a predictable and steady pace. Overall, the route is designed for those who prefer straightforward navigation and reliable road conditions over winding secondary paths.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.7 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.5 miles in near US 97.
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 21 significant decision points across 270.6 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 115.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kennewick, WA and Bremerton, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
201.5 mi in|~3h 45m
Tacoma
201.5 mi in|~3h 45m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 19m. Total distance: 270.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.7 miles on US 97. 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 Bremerton, 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 115.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bremerton, WA before the return drive.
