Kennewick, WA to Ridgefield, WA is 230 miles and takes about 4h 25m via Columbia River Highway and I 205, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington and connects two points in the Pacific Coast region. The route primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more scenic and local perspective compared to a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 158.3 miles on the Columbia River Highway, it's a manageable one-day excursion.
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
115 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m 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
I 205
14.7 mi
18m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.3 mi
12m
I 5
5.9 mi
6m
Pioneer Street
2.9 mi
6m
West 10th Avenue
1 mi
2m
South Olympia Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.3 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-84
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,276 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,842
Quietest
2 AM
~122 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.5×
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 Ridgefield, 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
15 mi·18 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 5
5.9 mi·6 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 14Toward WA 501 South: Pioneer Street, RidgefieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto WA 501
0.3 mi·36 sec·Pioneer Street
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 501
188 ft·3 sec·Pioneer Street
16
Continue on WA 501
0.3 mi·35 sec·Pioneer Street
17
Enter roundabout onto Pioneer Street
139 ft·2 sec·Pioneer Street
18
Continue on Pioneer Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·Pioneer Street
19
Enter roundabout onto Pioneer Street
130 ft·2 sec·Pioneer Street
20
Continue on Pioneer Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Pioneer Street
21
Enter roundabout onto WA 501
98 ft·2 sec·Pioneer Street
22
Continue on WA 501
1.5 mi·3 min·Pioneer Street
23
Turn left onto South 5th Avenue
96 ft·4 sec·South 5th Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
South 5th Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 25m drive, consider leaving Kennewick in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential evening traffic. Since this is a one-day trip and the longest stretch on surface roads is 158.3 miles, you can be flexible with your timing. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer surface road sections, as the estimated fuel cost is $49.
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 115 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 11m 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 51 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115 miles or 2h 11m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgefield, 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 230 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 226.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|West Kennewick Avenue
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
35.3 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 84 West: Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 84 West: Portland
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
226.8 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward WA 501 South: Pioneer Street, Ridgefield
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 14
Toward WA 501 South: Pioneer Street, Ridgefield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.80 one way
$89.61 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$46.94
$93.88
premium
$5.39
$48.82
$97.63
diesel
$4.80
$43.43
$86.86
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: 80.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69
0
$24.15
$11.04
Efficient EV
57.5
0
$20.13
$9.20
EV Truck/SUV
92
1
$32.20
$14.72
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Late night
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 8 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
Ridgefield, WA
Late night
in Ridgefield on Sunday
Local time
3:40 AM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NNW 6 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
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
15 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 25m 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 drive involves 9% highway travel, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of road on the Columbia River Highway for 158.3 miles. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen early in your trip. Expect a more urban merging experience as you approach your destination.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Kennewick Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 230 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Kennewick Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
879 ft49 ft
Total Climb
917 ft
Total Descent
1,213 ft
Highest Point
879 ft
~16.4 mi in
Elevation Range
830 ft
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 Ridgefield, WA, road signs point toward Seattle and Portland Airport.
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 25m. Total distance: 230 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m 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.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Ridgefield, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Kennewick Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 35.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 205.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Ridgefield, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
