This 245.4-mile journey from Kennewick, WA, to Parkland, WA, is estimated to take about 4 hours and 43 minutes of driving time. Considered a single-day trip, it will likely cost around $52 for fuel, with one recommended stop along the way. The route primarily utilizes local roads rather than highways, offering a more connected driving experience through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Its turn-heavy nature suggests a drive that keeps you engaged with your surroundings, making it ideal for those who prefer not to spend hours on monotonous interstate travel.
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
122.7 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m 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
24.2 mi
31m
WA 240
11.6 mi
13m
WA 161
9.1 mi
11m
Valley Freeway
7.9 mi
9m
North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kennewick, WA and Parkland, 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
24 mi·31 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, PuyallupUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 167 South: PuyallupUse the straight / right lanes.
19
Merge onto WA 167
7.9 mi·9 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward WA 512 West, WA 161 South: Puyallup, OlympiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on WA 161; WA 512
9.1 mi·11 min·WA 161; WA 512
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward WA 7: Parkland, Spanaway, Pacific AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn left onto 108th Street South
0.1 mi·18 sec·108th Street South
24
Turn left onto WA 7
0.3 mi·44 sec·Pacific Avenue South
25
Turn left onto 112th Street South
81 ft·3 sec·112th Street South
26
Arrive at destination
112th Street South
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 4 hours and 43 minutes, this drive is perfectly manageable in a single day, and the flexibility allows you to depart at your convenience. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, plan for your one recommended stop to be a good opportunity to stretch your legs and perhaps grab a bite. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you navigate through various local roads, with an estimated cost of $52. A practical tip for this route would be to ensure your GPS is set to avoid highways to fully embrace the local road experience.
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 122.7 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 17m 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.7 miles or 2h 17m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parkland, 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 245.4 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.5 and 226.6 — 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,...
9
226.3 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley High...
8
226.6 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 South: Puyallup
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.36 one way
$102.72 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$53.86
$107.72
premium
$5.77
$55.73
$111.45
diesel
$5.61
$54.18
$108.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.47
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.36
$15.71
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Afternoon
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Parkland, WA
Afternoon
in Parkland on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°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
8 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 43m 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...
19 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 211.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' on this route, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through communities for the majority of the 245.4 miles, rather than cruising on high-speed freeways. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the overall profile suggests a continuous engagement with local roads like West Kennewick Avenue, North Fruitland Street, and West Columbia Drive. This character promises a drive where you'll be constantly interacting with the landscape and infrastructure of the towns you pass through.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 20 significant decision points across 245.4 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 Parkland, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma, Puyallup and Valley Highway.
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
Puyallup
226.1 mi in|~4h 16m
Valley Highway
226.3 mi in|~4h 17m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 245.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m 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 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 Parkland, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Parkland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
