Kennewick, WA to Vancouver, WA is 218 miles and takes about 4h 10m via Columbia River Highway, Lewis and Clark Trail Highway, and Old Oregon Trail Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Washington state, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. Expect a trip primarily on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-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
109 miles from Kennewick, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m 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
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.4 mi
6m
I 205
4.2 mi
5m
West 10th Avenue
1 mi
2m
South Olympia Street
0.7 mi
1m
North Newport Street
0.1 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 Vancouver, 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
4.2 mi·5 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·41 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Vancouver, CamasUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City CenterUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward WA 14 WestUse the straight lane.
15
Merge onto WA 14
5.4 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·55 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 5
451 ft·7 sec·I 5
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 1D; 1CToward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1DToward 4th Plain BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
220 ft·12 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto East Fourth Plain Boulevard
100 ft·2 sec·East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
East Fourth Plain Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m estimated drive time and 218 miles, it's best to depart Kennewick in the morning to allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $46, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 158.3 miles on the Columbia River Highway, as this section will offer the most consistent cruising. Since this is a relatively short drive, you'll have ample time to adjust your pace or make spontaneous stops 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 109 miles from Kennewick, WA, or about 2h 4m 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 4m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vancouver, 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 218 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 205.9 and 217.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
210.4 mi into trip|~3h 58m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 27
Toward WA 14: Vancouver, Camas
8
210.6 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, City Center
9
217.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain Boulevard
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 1D; 1C
Toward WA 501: 4th Plain Boulevard, Mill Plain...
8
217.3 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1D
Toward 4th Plain Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.47 one way
$84.93 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$44.49
$88.99
premium
$5.39
$46.27
$92.54
diesel
$4.80
$41.16
$82.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 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 17, 2026
Origin
Kennewick, WA
Late night
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Vancouver, WA
Late night
in Vancouver on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 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 10m 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 route involves 218 miles with a highway share of 2%, meaning the majority of your time will be spent on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a primary road is 158.3 miles along the Columbia River Highway. You'll notice a significant transition from highway driving to navigating local roads, likely with more frequent intersections and varied speed limits as you progress.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 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?
10/10
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 205.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 218 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 205.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
971 ft51 ft
Total Climb
867 ft
Total Descent
1,086 ft
Highest Point
971 ft
~15.6 mi in
Elevation Range
920 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 Vancouver, 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.
Vancouver is a city in southwest Washington State, immediately north of the border with Oregon. The city was established around Fort Vancouver, a fur trading outpost dating back to 1824, making this one of the oldest continuously-inhabited European communities in the Pacific Northwest. Two bridges across the Columbia River connect Vancouver to the rest of the Portland Metropolitan Area.
Top landmarks
•Fort Vancouver National Historic Site — National Historic Site of the United States in Washington (state)
•Interstate Bridge — highway bridge in Oregon and Washington, USA
•Kiggins Theatre — single-screen theatre located in downtown Vancouver, WA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m 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 Vancouver, 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 205.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Vancouver, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
