This 237.1-mile journey from Puyallup, WA, to Kennewick, WA, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 33 minutes of driving time. The route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 98% of the drive on major interstates, including I-90, I-82, and US-97. With an estimated fuel cost of around $50, it's an efficient trip for those looking to cover ground quickly. The drive offers a straightforward path across Washington, making it a practical option for a direct transit between the Pacific Coast regions.
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 Puyallup, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m 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
24.1 mi
30m
Valley Freeway
7.5 mi
9m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
West Columbia Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,355
Quietest
2 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
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 Puyallup, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on this road
54 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left
0.2 mi·1 min
3
At end of road, turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
351 ft·17 sec·4th Street Southeast
4
Turn left onto 7th Avenue Southeast
0.1 mi·23 sec·7th Avenue Southeast
5
Turn sharp right onto 3rd Street Southeast
0.3 mi·30 sec·3rd Street Southeast
6
Turn right onto East Pioneer
0.5 mi·58 sec·East Pioneer
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward WA 512 East, WA 167: Seattle
8
Merge onto WA 161; WA 512
0.5 mi·35 sec·WA 161; WA 512
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, YakimaUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto WA 167
7.5 mi·9 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward WA 18 East: AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi·30 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
15
Merge onto I 90
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
18
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
19
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
21
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
22
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
23
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 33-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive. Consider an early morning departure from Puyallup to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing where to refuel or stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 84.5-mile stretch on I-90, as services can be spaced out. The estimated $50 fuel cost is a helpful budget point for planning.
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 Puyallup, WA, or about 2h 20m 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 52 miles or 1h 7m 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 44m
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 Puyallup, 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 Puyallup, WA
This is one driving day of about 237.1 miles and 4h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Puyallup, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 120.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|4th Street Southeast
At end of road, turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|3rd Street Southeast
Turn sharp right onto 3rd Street Southeast
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
8
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yaki...
6
10 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.19 one way
$92.38 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$48.39
$96.78
premium
$5.39
$50.32
$100.65
diesel
$4.80
$44.77
$89.54
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: 83 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
$24.90
$11.38
Efficient EV
59.3
0
$20.75
$9.48
EV Truck/SUV
94.8
1
$33.19
$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
Puyallup, WA
Late night
in Puyallup on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
W 3 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
15 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 24.5
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 nearly the entire 237.1 miles, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.5 miles on I-90, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, prioritizing smooth travel over winding backroads. You'll spend most of your time on high-speed highways designed for covering distance.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
9/10
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 0.2 miles in near 4th Street Southeast.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 237.1 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 0.2 miles (4th Street Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (3rd Street Southeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,543 ft43 ft
Total Climb
3,008 ft
Total Descent
2,645 ft
Highest Point
2,543 ft
~67.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,500 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Puyallup, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
Puyallup is a suburban community of 42,000 people (2022) in the south Puget Sound region of Washington state. Puyallup is home to the Washington State Fair, the state's largest fair.
Top landmarks
•Christ Episcopal Church — church building in Puyallup, Washington, United States of America
•Ezra Meeker Mansion — mansion in Puyallup, 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 33m. Total distance: 237.1 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 (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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (4th Street Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (3rd Street Southeast): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 1.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.6 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.
