Traveling from Kennewick to East Port Orchard covers 264.2 miles and typically requires about 5 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $55 for fuel to complete the journey. The path utilizes a combination of I-82, US 12, and US 97 to navigate across the state. While both locations are within the Pacific Coast region, the drive provides a consistent transition across Washington’s diverse terrain. It is a straightforward trek that prioritizes efficiency over exploration, making it ideal if you need to reach your destination without multiple overnight stops.
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
132.1 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m 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
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
WA 16
22 mi
27m
WA 240
11.6 mi
13m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
Bethel Road Southeast
1 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 East Port Orchard, 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
22 mi·27 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward WA 160 East: Sedgewick Road, Southworth FerryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto WA 160
0.7 mi·1 min·Southeast Sedgwick Road
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto Bethel Road Southeast
1.0 mi·2 min·Bethel Road Southeast
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Southeast Lund Avenue
0.3 mi·39 sec·Southeast Lund Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Hoover Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·33 sec·Hoover Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Lincoln Avenue Southeast
369 ft·11 sec·Lincoln Avenue Southeast
30
Turn right onto McKinley Place Southeast
81 ft·3 sec·McKinley Place Southeast
31
Arrive at destination
McKinley Place Southeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, plan your departure early to account for the 5-hour and 9-minute drive time. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself based on your energy levels and traffic conditions. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 85.7-mile stretch on US 97, as this is your longest period away from services. By fueling up before you hit the main highway stretches, you can ensure a smoother, stress-free transit. This route is best treated as a simple, direct connection, so use your single designated stop to stretch your legs and reset for the remainder of the journey.
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 132.1 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 27m 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near East Port Orchard, 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 264.2 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 26
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
$55.29 one way
$110.59 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$57.99
$115.98
premium
$5.77
$60.00
$119.99
diesel
$5.61
$58.33
$116.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.74
$12.68
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.12
$10.57
EV Truck/SUV
105.7
1
$36.99
$16.91
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Kennewick, WA
Late night
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
East Port Orchard, WA
Late night
in East Port Orchard on Sunday
Local time
3:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
132 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 9m 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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 264.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient commute, as 97% of this trip is spent on highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel on major routes, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 85.7 miles on US 97. The road maintains a steady, fast-paced rhythm that keeps you moving toward the coast consistently. While the profile is heavily highway-focused, the character of the road stays predictable throughout the 264.2-mile journey. Be prepared for a functional driving experience that favors speed and directness over winding, technical backroads.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 26 significant decision points across 264.2 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 East Port Orchard, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Bremerton.
Yakima
13.5 mi in|~18m|via US 12
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
201.5 mi in|~3h 45m
Tacoma
201.5 mi in|~3h 45m
Bremerton
238.5 mi in|~4h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 264.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m 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 East Port Orchard, 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at East Port Orchard, WA before the return drive.
