North Creek to Kennewick is 237 miles and takes about 4h 33m via I 90, I 82, and US 97, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily follows major interstate highways, making for a straightforward trip across Washington State. You'll transition from the Pacific Coast region to another area within the same state, experiencing a largely highway-based drive. With a recommended single day for completion, this trip is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
118.5 miles from North Creek, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m 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
2.3 mi
2m
Maltby Road
1.6 mi
3m
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 North Creek, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on Kotschevar Road
116 ft·6 sec·Kotschevar Road
2
Turn right onto Jewell Road
369 ft·14 sec·Jewell Road
3
Turn right onto 43rd Avenue Southeast
0.6 mi·2 min·43rd Avenue Southeast
4
At end of road, turn left onto WA 524
0.4 mi·52 sec·Maltby Road
5
Enter roundabout onto WA 524
134 ft·2 sec·Maltby Road
6
Continue on WA 524
1.2 mi·2 min·Maltby Road
7
Turn right onto WA 9
1.5 mi·2 min·State Route 9
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward WA 522 West: Seattle
9
Merge onto WA 522
2.3 mi·2 min·State Route 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·58 sec
Toward I 405 South: BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn slight left onto I 405
12 mi·14 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward I 90: Spokane, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
17
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
18
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
20
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
21
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
22
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
23
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 33m estimated drive time, leaving North Creek in the morning will comfortably get you to Kennewick well before sunset. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps after completing the 100.5-mile stretch on I 90. Fuel costs are estimated at $50, so ensure your tank is full before departing or at your planned stop. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an early start allows for any unexpected delays. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially if your departure coincides with peak commuter hours leaving the Seattle metropolitan area.
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 118.5 miles from North Creek, WA, or about 2h 20m 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 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.5 miles or 2h 20m 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 43m
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 North Creek, 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 North Creek, WA
This is one driving day of about 237 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from North Creek, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 222.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue
8
18.8 mi into trip|~28m 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
19.3 mi into trip|~29m 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
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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
6
222.3 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.17 one way
$92.34 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$48.37
$96.74
premium
$5.39
$50.30
$100.60
diesel
$4.80
$44.75
$89.50
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: 82.9 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
71.1
0
$24.89
$11.38
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.74
$9.48
EV Truck/SUV
94.8
1
$33.18
$15.17
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
North Creek, WA
Morning
in North Creek on Sunday
Local time
11:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°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
Morning
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
11:43 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
18 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 33m 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 97% of the route utilizing them. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 100.5 miles on I 90 before transitioning to other major roads. Expect to spend most of your time on interstate cruising, with minimal time spent on surface streets. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, keeping the driving experience consistent for most of the 237 miles.
97% 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: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 6.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 237 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,543 ft107 ft
Total Climb
2,943 ft
Total Descent
2,902 ft
Highest Point
2,543 ft
~67.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,436 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between North Creek, 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 33m. Total distance: 237 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
