Kennewick, WA to Martha Lake, WA is 238.5 miles and takes about 4h 32m via US 97, US 12, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards another Pacific Coast area. It's a predominantly highway drive, making it efficient for a single-day transit. You'll find it straightforward for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
119.2 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
I 405
18.4 mi
23m
WA 240
11.6 mi
13m
I 5
0.7 mi
<1m
164th Street Southwest
0.6 mi
1m
North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Martha Lake, 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
101 mi·1 hr 53 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 405
8.1 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi·2 min·I 405
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 5
0.7 mi·49 sec·I 5
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 183Toward 164th Street SouthwestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
245 ft·7 sec
Toward 164th Street Southwest, Mill Creek
21
Turn straight onto 164th Street Southwest
0.6 mi·1 min·164th Street Southwest
22
Turn left
360 ft·16 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto East Shore Drive
357 ft·11 sec·East Shore Drive
24
Turn right onto Pitner Drive
427 ft·18 sec·Pitner Drive
25
Arrive at destination
Pitner Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4.5-hour duration, this is a manageable one-day trip. Aim to depart Kennewick in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan that break strategically along US 97, which has the longest uninterrupted section. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before the 101.4-mile stretch on US 97, to ensure you don't need to search for a station in a less populated area. The high percentage of highway driving means you can easily adjust your timing if needed.
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 119.2 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 13m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martha Lake, 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 238.5 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 101.4 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 115.5 and 237.1 — 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
8
216.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
217.1 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
7
235.9 mi into trip|~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
7
237.1 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward 164th Street Southwest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 183
Toward 164th Street Southwest
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.46 one way
$92.92 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$48.68
$97.35
premium
$5.39
$50.62
$101.24
diesel
$4.80
$45.03
$90.07
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: 83.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.87
$9.54
EV Truck/SUV
95.4
1
$33.39
$15.26
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Kennewick, WA
Morning
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
11:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Martha Lake, WA
Morning
in Martha Lake on Sunday
Local time
11:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
N 1 to 7 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
20 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 32m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 98% highway, meaning you'll spend almost all of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 101.4 miles on US 97. Expect a fairly uninterrupted flow of traffic for the majority of the trip, with transitions between roads being smooth. You'll notice the consistent speed limits and limited access points for much of the drive.
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: 101.4 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 20 significant decision points across 238.5 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 216.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,543 ft255 ft
Total Climb
2,995 ft
Total Descent
2,936 ft
Highest Point
2,543 ft
~170.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,288 ft
Notable High Points
2,024 ft at ~102.2 miles+503 ft prominence
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 Martha Lake, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Everett and Bellevue.
Kennewick is a city in Benton County along the Columbia River of Washington State, roughly between the Yakima and Snake Rivers on the south bank of the Columbia.
Kennewick is the largest of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Pasco and Richland. The Tri-Cities are the third most populous metropolitan area in the state, after Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 238.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m 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 101.4 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Martha Lake, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.1 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Martha Lake, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
