This 248.4-mile journey from Spanaway, WA to Kennewick, WA is a manageable one-day trip, clocking in at around 4 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. You'll spend nearly all of your time on major highways, with a 97% highway share, making it a straightforward drive. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is approximately $52. This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, connecting two points within the same state and region, offering a practical way to travel between these Washington locations. It's well-suited for a single day of travel without feeling overly rushed.
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
124.2 miles from Spanaway, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m 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
WA 512
9.2 mi
11m
Valley Freeway
7.5 mi
9m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
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 Spanaway, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on this road
53 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto WA 7
3.7 mi·8 min·Pacific Avenue South
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward WA 512 East: Puyallup
4
Merge onto WA 512
9.2 mi·11 min·WA 512
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, YakimaUse the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto WA 167
7.5 mi·9 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward WA 18 East: AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi·30 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
11
Merge onto I 90
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
14
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
15
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
17
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
18
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
19
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
20
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 49 minute duration, starting your drive from Spanaway in the morning is a good strategy to arrive in Kennewick with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a high highway share, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 84.5 miles on I-90, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $52 makes budgeting straightforward for this efficient journey.
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 124.2 miles from Spanaway, WA, or about 2h 30m 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 55 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.2 miles or 2h 30m 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 57m
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 Spanaway, 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 Spanaway, WA
This is one driving day of about 248.4 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Spanaway, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.2 and 239.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
13.2 mi into trip|~20m 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
21.4 mi into trip|~31m 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
131.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
233.7 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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
6
239.2 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|WA 240
Take the exit onto WA 240 toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.39 one way
$96.78 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$50.70
$101.39
premium
$5.39
$52.72
$105.44
diesel
$4.80
$46.90
$93.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.5
0
$26.08
$11.92
Efficient EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
EV Truck/SUV
99.4
1
$34.78
$15.90
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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
Spanaway, WA
Morning
in Spanaway on Sunday
Local time
8:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Patchy Fog
SW 1 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
Morning
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
8:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Clear
S 5 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
12 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 49m 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
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 34.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route. You'll be on I-90, I-82, and US-97 for the vast majority of your 248.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.5 miles on I-90, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. With a 97% highway share, this drive prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways, allowing you to cover ground quickly. The road character remains consistent, largely maintaining interstate speeds.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 13.2 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 248.4 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 13.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.7 miles (US 97): 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
2,650 ft65 ft
Total Climb
3,355 ft
Total Descent
3,321 ft
Highest Point
2,650 ft
~88.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,585 ft
Notable High Points
2,321 ft at ~141.9 miles+725 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Spanaway, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, I‑182 East and Pasco.
The South Sound refers to the area along the far reaches of the Puget Sound in Washington State. It consists of Pierce County and Thurston County, which includes the state capital of Olympia and the major port city of Tacoma.
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 49m. Total distance: 248.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m 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 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 13.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.7 miles (US 97): 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 4.8 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.
