If you are planning a trip from Kennewick to Orchards, expect a straightforward journey spanning 215.2 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 4 hours and 6 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Your path will take you along the Columbia River Highway, the Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, and the Old Oregon Trail Highway. Budget approximately $45 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Pacific Coast region locations. Because the route is relatively direct, it is an efficient way to travel across Washington without needing to split the drive into multiple days.
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
107.6 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.3 mi
2h 56m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
33.4 mi
37m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.3 mi
12m
I 205
7.6 mi
9m
West 10th Avenue
1 mi
2m
South Olympia Street
0.7 mi
1m
Northeast Gher Road
0.3 mi
<1m
North Newport Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Orchards, WA.
1
Start on North Newport Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·North Newport Street
2
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
152 ft·11 sec·West Kennewick Avenue
3
Turn left onto South Olympia Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Olympia Street
4
Turn right onto West 10th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West 10th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 395
33 mi·37 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 84 West: Portland
7
Merge onto I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
8
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 56 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·29 sec
Exit 9Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland AirportUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 205
7.6 mi·9 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
249 ft·4 sec
Exit 30A-B; 30CToward WA 500 West, WA 500 East: Northeast 112th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·15 sec·this road
Exit 30Toward WA 500 West, WA 500 East
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 30A-BToward WA 500 East: Northeast 112th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 30AToward Northeast Gher Road, Northeast 112th AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Northeast 112th Avenue
175 ft·8 sec·Northeast 112th Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on Northeast Gher Road
0.3 mi·45 sec·Northeast Gher Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Northeast 109th Avenue
362 ft·14 sec·Northeast 109th Avenue
19
Turn right
125 ft·9 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just over four hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak local traffic. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the 215.2-mile trek. Given that the route is turn-heavy, keep a close watch on your speed and navigation through the local road segments. Since you are only budgeting $45 for fuel, it is wise to top off your tank before leaving Kennewick to ensure you have enough range for the entire trip. Prioritizing a steady pace will make the drive much more comfortable as you navigate the transition from the longer highway stretches into the more technical local roads.
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 107.6 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.3 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 47 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.6 miles or 2h 2m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orchards, 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 215.2 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Columbia River Highway for about 158.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 205.5 and 214.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
205.5 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 205: Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle, Portland Airport
8
205.9 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 205 North: Seattle, Portland Airport
8
213.8 mi into trip|~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward WA 500 West, WA 500 East: Northeast 112th Avenue
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 30A-B; 30C
Toward WA 500 West, WA 500 East: Northeast 112t...
9
214 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 500 East: Northeast 112th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30A-B
Toward WA 500 East: Northeast 112th Avenue
9
214.1 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Northeast Gher Road, Northeast 112th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward Northeast Gher Road, Northeast 112th Ave...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.04 one way
$90.08 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$47.23
$94.47
premium
$5.77
$48.87
$97.74
diesel
$5.61
$47.51
$95.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.83
$8.61
EV Truck/SUV
86.1
1
$30.13
$13.77
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Kennewick, WA
Late night
in Kennewick on Tuesday
Local time
1:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Orchards, WA
Late night
in Orchards on Tuesday
Local time
1:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°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
2 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 6m 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 journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul. You will spend only about 4% of your time on major highways, meaning you should prepare for a more involved, technical experience behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip is the 158.3-mile stretch on the Columbia River Highway, which serves as the backbone of your travel. Expect the road conditions to shift as you transition from the initial stretches onto the local segments. Staying alert is essential, as the route’s personality demands your full attention compared to a standard, high-speed freeway cruise.
Only 4% 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: 158.3 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 205.5 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 16 significant decision points across 215.2 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 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6m. Total distance: 215.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.3 miles on Columbia River Highway. 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 Orchards, 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 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 213.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Orchards, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
