This 254.3-mile journey from Longview, WA to Kennewick, WA will take approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it covers ground across Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region inland. Expect to spend around $53 on fuel for this drive, which includes a mix of highway and local road travel. The route is characterized by frequent turns, so it's not a straight shot, but the longest uninterrupted stretch is a manageable 158.1 miles. This drive is a good option if you're looking for a day trip with a bit more engagement than a simple interstate cruise.
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
127.2 miles from Longview, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Columbia River Highway
158.1 mi
2h 55m
McNary Highway
29.9 mi
33m
I 5
28.6 mi
30m
I 205
14.7 mi
19m
Old Oregon Trail Highway
11.4 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
3.3 mi
4m
Tennant Way
3.1 mi
4m
West 10th Avenue
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Columbia River Highway
— 158.1 mi, about 2h 55m
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 Longview, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Olympia Way
120 ft·4 sec·Olympia Way
2
Enter roundabout onto Broadway Street
201 ft·9 sec·Broadway Street
3
Continue on Broadway Street
372 ft·14 sec·Broadway Street
4
Turn right onto 15th Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·15th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Tennant Way
3.1 mi·4 min·Tennant Way
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South: Portland
7
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·30 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
15 mi·19 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 22Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 84; US 30
158 mi·2 hr 55 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
11 mi·12 min·Old Oregon Trail Highway
12
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 82 West: Hermiston, Umatilla
13
Continue on I 82
30 mi·33 min·McNary Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
3.3 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
15
Turn right onto West 10th Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West 10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto South Olympia Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Olympia Street
17
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
152 ft·9 sec·West Kennewick Avenue
18
Turn left onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 52-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning from Longview will allow you to reach Kennewick with plenty of daylight remaining. While it’s a single-day trip, plan for at least one stop to break up the driving and stretch your legs; the longest stretch without a turn is over 158 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from larger towns, and be prepared for the frequent turns characteristic of this route. A helpful tip is to familiarize yourself with the Columbia River Highway section beforehand, as it represents the longest uninterrupted driving segment and will be a significant part of your 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 127.2 miles from Longview, WA, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 158.1 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 56 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.2 miles or 2h 27m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kennewick, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longview, 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 Longview, WA
This is one driving day of about 254.3 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Longview, 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 158.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 249.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Broadway Street
Enter roundabout onto Broadway Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
4.7 mi into trip|~8m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33.3 mi into trip|~39m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
48.1 mi into trip|~59m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
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 22
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
6
249.1 mi into trip|~4h 43m in|US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 / Lewis and Clark Trail Highway toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco, Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 395 north to I‑182: Kennewick, Pasco,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.54 one way
$99.08 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$51.90
$103.80
premium
$5.39
$53.97
$107.95
diesel
$4.80
$48.02
$96.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.3
0
$26.70
$12.21
Efficient EV
63.6
0
$22.25
$10.17
EV Truck/SUV
101.7
1
$35.60
$16.28
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Longview, WA
Late night
in Longview on Sunday
Local time
12:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 2 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
Kennewick, WA
Late night
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
12:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
S 7 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
10 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 52m 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?
The drive from Longview to Kennewick offers a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll be navigating a fair number of directional changes. With only 17% of the route on highways, much of your time will be spent on more intimate local roads, including significant portions of the Columbia River Highway and McNary Highway. The longest continuous segment you'll experience is 158.1 miles on the Columbia River Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel before the next turn. This blend suggests a route that keeps you actively engaged with the road and the changing landscape as you move eastward.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 158.1 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Broadway Street.
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 254.3 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Broadway Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
820 ft22 ft
Total Climb
1,159 ft
Total Descent
774 ft
Highest Point
820 ft
~236.2 mi in
Elevation Range
798 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Longview, WA to Kennewick, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Umatilla along the way.
Longview, the City of Trees, is a city in Southwest Washington State along the Columbia River, and across the Cowlitz River from Kelso. It was established in 1923 by R. A. Long, who intended it to become the "Chicago of the West".
Top landmarks
•Lewis and Clark Bridge — historic bridge in Washington state and Oregon, USA
•Longview Community Church-Saint Helen's Addition — church in Longiew, Washington, U.S.
•R. A. Long High School — high school in Longview, Cowlitz County, Washington
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 52m. Total distance: 254.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 158.1 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 Kennewick, 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: near the start (Broadway Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
