Kennewick, WA to Snohomish, WA is 242.8 miles and takes about 4h 40m via US 97, US 12, and I 82, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the same region, primarily on established highways. Given its length and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single day if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stop. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making for a predictable and efficient transit.
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
121.4 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m 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
WA 240
11.6 mi
13m
I 405
11.2 mi
13m
State Route 9
9.5 mi
15m
WA 522
2.4 mi
2m
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 125 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,530 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,416
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Snohomish, 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
3.0 mi·3 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 23Toward WA 522: Bothell, WoodinvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward WA 522 East: Woodinville
18
Merge onto WA 522
2.4 mi·2 min·WA 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, ArlingtonUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn left onto WA 9
5.7 mi·9 min·State Route 9
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on WA 9
3.8 mi·5 min·State Route 9
22
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward Snohomish
23
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Street
24
Turn right
37 ft·2 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 242.8-mile drive, leaving Kennewick in the morning is a good idea to maximize daylight, especially since it's a single-day trip. With a duration of around 4 hours and 40 minutes, you'll have plenty of flexibility for brief stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $50, so plan your fill-ups accordingly, particularly before embarking on the 101.4-mile stretch on US 97. Since it's a relatively short and direct route, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay, but keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to Snohomish, as exit density increases.
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 121.4 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 15m 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 15m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Snohomish, 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 242.8 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.5 and 232.4 — 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
8
228.7 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
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 23
Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
7
232.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.36 one way
$104.73 round trip
$5.48/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.72
$54.69
$109.37
premium
$5.94
$56.75
$113.50
diesel
$6.18
$59.07
$118.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.8
0
$25.49
$11.65
Efficient EV
60.7
0
$21.25
$9.71
EV Truck/SUV
97.1
1
$33.99
$15.54
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Kennewick, WA
Late night
in Kennewick on Monday
Local time
5:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Cloudy
NW 2 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Snohomish, WA
Late night
in Snohomish on Monday
Local time
5:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 1 mph3% chanceLive 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
3 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 40m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 217.7
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 encounter very few surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant break is 101.4 miles on US 97. Expect a consistent driving experience with ample opportunities for speed, but also be prepared for a high volume of exits as you approach your destination. The transition from rural cruising on US 97 to more urban merging on I 82 will be noticeable.
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 18 significant decision points across 242.8 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,870 ft67 ft
Total Climb
3,110 ft
Total Descent
3,450 ft
Highest Point
2,870 ft
~173.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,803 ft
Notable High Points
2,144 ft at ~104.1 miles+591 ft prominence
2,870 ft at ~173.4 miles+679 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 Snohomish, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, Everett, Bellevue and Woodinville.
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.
Snohomish, the "Antique Capital of the Northwest", is a city in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. It's downtown district is renowned for its collection of antique shops.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 242.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m 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 Snohomish, 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 4.7 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 Snohomish, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
