This 229.1-mile drive from Tukwila, WA to Kennewick, WA takes approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate I-90 and I-82, with a brief segment on US-97. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $48. This highway-focused route offers a straightforward transit across Washington State, connecting the Pacific Coast region on both ends. With its efficient path, it's designed for reaching your destination without unnecessary detours, perfect for those who prioritize direct travel.
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
114.5 miles from Tukwila, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m 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
9.6 mi
11m
WA 240
7.3 mi
9m
US 12
5.5 mi
5m
Interurban Avenue South
1.1 mi
2m
West Columbia Drive
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tukwila, WA and Kennewick, WA.
1
Start on South 144th Street
47 ft·6 sec·South 144th Street
2
Turn left onto 58th Avenue South
0.2 mi·22 sec·58th Avenue South
3
Continue on South 141st Place
445 ft·16 sec·South 141st Place
4
Turn right onto Interurban Avenue South
1.1 mi·2 min·Interurban Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on WA 181
527 ft·14 sec·West Valley Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward I 405 North: Renton, EverettUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 405
9.6 mi·11 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 11Toward I 90: Seattle, SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 90
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
13
Take the exit onto US 12
5.5 mi·5 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
14
Take the exit onto WA 240
7.3 mi·9 min·WA 240
Toward SR 240 east: KennewickUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
0.1 mi·9 sec·West Columbia Drive
16
Continue on West Columbia Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·West Columbia Drive
17
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Fruitland Street
18
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·West Kennewick Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Newport Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·North Newport Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Newport Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 19-minute drive, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Kennewick without feeling rushed. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; consider planning your one scheduled stop around the halfway point for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach your destination, as the estimated cost is $48. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from I-90 to I-82, as it’s a key point where the road character changes.
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 114.5 miles from Tukwila, WA, or about 2h 11m 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.5 miles or 2h 11m 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 31m
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 Tukwila, 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 Tukwila, WA
This is one driving day of about 229.1 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Tukwila, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 112.4 — 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|~0m in|Interurban Avenue South
Turn right onto Interurban Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 405 North: Renton, Everett
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Everett
8
11.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
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: Seattle, Spokane
7
11.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
7
112.4 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
$47.95 one way
$95.90 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$50.28
$100.57
premium
$5.77
$52.03
$104.05
diesel
$5.61
$50.58
$101.16
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: 80.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.7
0
$24.06
$11.00
Efficient EV
57.3
0
$20.05
$9.16
EV Truck/SUV
91.6
1
$32.07
$14.66
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tukwila, WA
Morning
in Tukwila on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kennewick, WA
Morning
in Kennewick on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 19m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience, with 98% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter a longest continuous stretch of 100.5 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your drive. This route is characterized by its efficiency, designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic byways. While largely interstate, the transition between I-90 and I-82 will subtly shift the landscape as you move eastward across the state.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 0.2 miles in near Interurban Avenue South.
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 15 significant decision points across 229.1 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 (Interurban Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tukwila, WA and Kennewick, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
I‑182 East
214.4 mi in|~4h|via US 12
Pasco
214.4 mi in|~4h|via US 12
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 229.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m 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.
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 0.2 miles (Interurban Avenue South): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Kennewick, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
