Maltby, WA to Kennewick, WA is 236.1 miles and takes about 4h 28m via I-90 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 toward the interior. Expect a predominantly highway drive that makes for straightforward travel. With only one recommended stop and a total drive time under five hours, this route is well-suited 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
118.1 miles from Maltby, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
I 405
11.6 mi
14m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
State Route 522
5 mi
6m
West Columbia Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
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 Maltby, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Broadway Avenue
127 ft·7 sec·Broadway Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto WA 524
397 ft·11 sec·Maltby Road
3
Turn right onto 87th Avenue Southeast
46 ft·3 sec·87th Avenue Southeast
4
Turn right
124 ft·13 sec
5
Turn left onto WA 524
0.1 mi·23 sec·Maltby Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto WA 524
0.2 mi·24 sec·Yew Way
7
Turn left onto WA 524
282 ft·8 sec·Paradise Lake Road
8
Turn right onto WA 522
5.0 mi·6 min·State Route 522
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward I 405 South: BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn slight left onto I 405
12 mi·14 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
16
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
17
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
19
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
20
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
21
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
22
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m estimated drive time, leaving Maltby in the morning allows you to reach Kennewick with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll want to plan for one fuel stop to manage the estimated $50 cost and break up the drive. Since the route is primarily highway, keep an eye out for the transitions between I-90 and I-82 as key points to confirm your navigation. The longest continuous stretch is over 100 miles on I-90, so ensure you have entertainment or a co-pilot for that segment.
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 118.1 miles from Maltby, WA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.1 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 38m
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 Maltby, 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 Maltby, WA
This is one driving day of about 236.1 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Maltby, 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 100.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 119.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|WA 524 / Yew Way
At end of road, turn right onto WA 524 / Yew Way
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|WA 522 / State Route 522
Turn right onto WA 522 / State Route 522
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
17.9 mi into trip|~23m 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
18.4 mi into trip|~24m 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
7
119.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.99 one way
$91.99 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$48.19
$96.37
premium
$5.39
$50.11
$100.22
diesel
$4.80
$44.58
$89.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.8
0
$24.79
$11.33
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.66
$9.44
EV Truck/SUV
94.4
1
$33.05
$15.11
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Maltby, WA
Late night
in Maltby on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
NNW 1 to 7 mph1% 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
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SW 5 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
19 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 28m 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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 16.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a consistent stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90 before transitioning to I-82 and US-97. The highway nature means you'll encounter frequent exits and merges for much of the trip, typical of a route that covers over 236 miles.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near WA 524 / Yew Way.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 236.1 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 0.3 miles (WA 524 / Yew Way): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (WA 522 / State Route 522): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,536 ft62 ft
Total Climb
3,012 ft
Total Descent
3,006 ft
Highest Point
2,536 ft
~67.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,474 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maltby, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Seattle, I‑182 East and Pasco.
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 28m. Total distance: 236.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m 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 100.5 miles on I 90. 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 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (WA 524 / Yew Way): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.5 miles (WA 522 / State Route 522): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4.5 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 Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
