Vernita Safety Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Richland, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
201.6 mi
324 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Richland, WA
Stepan Vrany
Trip Overview
Kirkland to Richland is 201.6 miles and takes about 4h 4m via I 90 and State Route 243, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region toward the interior. With 94% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive. This is a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick trip across the state, with most of your time spent on high-speed roads.
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
100.8 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 127.8 mi | 2h 20m |
| State Route 243 | 54.2 mi | 1h 12m |
| Vantage Highway | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| I 405 | 6 mi | 7m |
| Stevens Drive | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| WA 26 | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 127.8 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 141 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,297 veh/hr typical · worst 3,127
Quietest
2 AM
~130 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Kirkland, WA and Richland, WA.
1
Start on 1st Street
399 ft
·
16 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
7th Avenue
3
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
7th Avenue
4
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
7th Avenue
5
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
6th Street
6
Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 405 South: Renton
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 405
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 90
128 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
13
Turn straight onto WA 26
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
WA 26
14
Turn right onto WA 243
14 mi
·
21 min
·
State Route 243
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 243
96 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Route 243
Toward Yakima
16
Continue on WA 243
40 mi
·
51 min
·
State Route 243
Toward Yakima
17
Enter roundabout
99 ft
·
1 sec
18
Continue
313 ft
·
5 sec
19
Turn straight onto WA 240
8.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Vantage Highway
20
Continue on WA 240 Bus
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Jadwin Avenue
21
Turn right onto Catskill Street
285 ft
·
8 sec
·
Catskill Street
22
Turn left onto Stevens Drive
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Stevens Drive
23
Turn left onto Williams Boulevard
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
Williams Boulevard
24
Arrive at destination
Williams Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time and 201.6-mile distance, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a break is 127.8 miles on I 90, so plan for a stop before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to State Route 243 and Vantage Highway, as services may be more spread out in those areas.
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 100.8 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.8 miles or 1h 55m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richland, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, WA
This is one driving day of about 201.6 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Kirkland, 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 I 90 for about 127.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.8 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Indian John Hill Rest Area, I-90 Eastbound
0 mi from route
Ryegrass Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Indian John Hill Rest Area, I-90 Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Travelers Rest Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Ryegrass Westbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 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
|
7th Avenue
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
7th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
7th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
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 11
Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
7
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.48 one way
$86.96 round trip
$5.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.72 | $45.41 | $90.82 |
| premium | $5.94 | $47.12 | $94.24 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $49.04 | $98.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
| Efficient EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.6 | 1 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Kirkland, WA
Late night in Kirkland on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSW 2 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Richland, WA
Late night in Richland on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 2 mph
3% chance
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 4m 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 7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 94% of the 201.6 miles on high-speed roads like I 90. You'll encounter a long stretch of 127.8 miles on I 90 before transitioning. State Route 243 and Vantage Highway make up the remaining 6% of the route. Expect mostly rural cruising once you leave the interstate, with fewer exits and a different pace.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 243. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 7th Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 201.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,539 ft
62 ft
Total Climb
2,595 ft
Total Descent
1,027 ft
Highest Point
2,539 ft
~57.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,477 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kirkland, WA and Richland, WA, road signs point toward Pullman and Yakima.
Pullman
136.3 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Yakima
151.7 mi in
|
~2h 57m
|
via WA 243
About the Cities
Starting in Kirkland, WA
Full guide →Founded 1888
Kirkland is a charming city of 93,000 (2019) in King County, Washington, across from Seattle on the east side of Lake Washington.
Top landmarks
- • Joshua Sears Building — building in Washington, United States
- • Peter Kirk Building — building in Washington, United States of America
- • Dr. Trueblood House — private residence in Kirkland, Washington
Arriving in Richland, WA
Full guide →Founded 1905
Richland is a city of 51,000 people (2020) in the Columbia River Plateau, where the Yakima River flows into the Columbia. It is the closest city to the Hanford Nuclear Site, where development of its historic nuclear reactor lead to a large national research lab and a waste remediation effort that is the single largest construction project in the country. Richland is one of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Kennewick and Pasco. The Tri-Cities are the third most populous metropolitan area in the state, after Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 201.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Richland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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