This 285.4-mile drive from Poulsbo, WA to Kennewick, WA is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. The route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the journey on major interstates like I-90 and I-82, supplemented by US-97. With an estimated fuel cost of $60, this is a straightforward trip that keeps you moving. You'll experience a substantial stretch of uninterrupted driving on I-90, so plan your stops accordingly. This journey offers a practical way to transition between two points within Washington State, focusing on efficient travel over scenic 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
142.7 miles from Poulsbo, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
84.5 mi
1h 33m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
State Highway 16
26.5 mi
33m
State Highway 3 Northwest
15.4 mi
19m
I 5
8.5 mi
10m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Poulsbo, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on this road
68 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Jensen Way Northeast
0.6 mi·1 min·Jensen Way Northeast
3
At end of road, turn right onto Front Street Northeast
0.3 mi·58 sec·Front Street Northeast
4
Continue on Northwest Lindvig Way
0.2 mi·37 sec·Northwest Lindvig Way
5
Continue on Northwest Finn Hill Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Northwest Finn Hill Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward WA 3 South: BremertonUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto WA 3
15 mi·19 min·State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on WA 3
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 3 West
9
Continue on WA 16
0.2 mi·19 sec·West State Route 16
10
Continue on WA 16
27 mi·33 min·State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 5
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
19
Merge onto I 90
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
22
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
23
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
25
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
26
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
27
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
28
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 5 hours and 36 minutes for the 285.4 miles, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow ample time for a mid-drive break. The longest stretch of 84.5 miles on I-90 suggests planning your primary stop before or after this segment. Given the $60 fuel cost, ensure your tank is full before leaving Poulsbo, as fuel availability might be more spaced out on certain highway sections. Be mindful of the transition from I-90 to I-82 as you change directions across the state.
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 142.7 miles from Poulsbo, WA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 63 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.7 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Poulsbo, 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 Poulsbo, WA
This is one driving day of about 285.4 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Poulsbo, 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 84.5 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 1.7 and 168.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward WA 3 South: Bremerton
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 3 South: Bremerton
6
46.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47.1 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
7
168.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
$59.73 one way
$119.46 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$62.64
$125.28
premium
$5.77
$64.81
$129.62
diesel
$5.61
$63.01
$126.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.6
1
$29.97
$13.70
Efficient EV
71.4
0
$24.97
$11.42
EV Truck/SUV
114.2
1
$39.96
$18.27
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Poulsbo, WA
Evening
in Poulsbo on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Evening
in Kennewick on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
143 mi in
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
5 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
5h 36m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for almost the entirety of this trip, with 98% of the 285.4 miles spent on major interstates and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.5 miles on I-90, so settle in for some consistent cruising. This route is designed for efficiency, meaning you'll experience long, flowing sections of road rather than winding or technical driving. The character of the drive is one of steady progress, transitioning across the state on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 1.7 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 20 significant decision points across 285.4 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Poulsbo, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation, I‑182 East and Pasco.
Muckleshoot Reservation
55.7 mi in|~1h 15m
I‑182 East
270.7 mi in|~5h 17m|via US 12
Pasco
270.7 mi in|~5h 17m|via US 12
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 285.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m 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 84.5 miles on I 90. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kennewick, WA before the return drive.
