How far is Centralia, WA from Kennewick, WA?
Fastest route
The distance from Centralia, Washington, to Kennewick, Washington, is approximately 235 miles (378 kilometers). The fastest route is via US-12 E and I-82 E, which will take approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes.
Directions
- Head west on W Main St toward N Pearl St.
- Follow I-5 S, US-12 E, and I-82 E to W Columbia Dr in Kennewick.
- Take the Columbia Dr/US-395 S exit from WA-240 E.
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto S Pearl St.
- Turn right onto W Cherry St.
- Turn right onto Mellen St.
- Continue straight to stay on Mellen St.
- Merge onto I-5 S via the ramp on the left to Portland.
- Take exit 68 for US 12 E toward Morton/Yakima.
- Turn right to stay on US-12 E.
- Use the left lane to merge onto I-82 E/US-12 E/US-97 S toward Richland/Goldendale.
- Continue to follow I-82 E/US-12 E.
- Take exit 102 for I-182 E/US-12 E toward Richland/Pasco.
- Continue onto I-182 E/US-12 E.
- Take exit 5A to merge onto WA-240 E.
- Take the Columbia Dr/US-395 S exit toward Pendleton.
- Keep left at the fork to continue toward W Columbia Dr.
- Continue on W Columbia Dr. Drive to N Benton St.
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto W Columbia Dr.
- Slight right onto N Benton St.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for rest stops and fuel-ups along the way, especially on longer stretches of the journey.
- 📱 Use navigation apps or GPS devices to stay updated on traffic conditions and alternate routes.
- 🍔 Pack some snacks and drinks for the road to avoid frequent stops at restaurants.
- 🛣️ Check the weather forecast before starting the trip to prepare for any adverse conditions.
- ⛽ Ensure your vehicle is in good condition by checking tires, oil, and other essentials before departure.
FAQs
Q: How long is the distance between Centralia, Washington, and Kennewick, Washington? A: The distance between Centralia and Kennewick is approximately 235 miles (378 kilometers).
Q: What is the fastest route to travel from Centralia to Kennewick? A: The fastest route is via US-12 E and I-82 E.
Q: How long does it take to reach Kennewick from Centralia using the fastest route? A: It takes approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes.
Q: Are there any specific highway exits to watch out for during the journey? A: Yes, take the Columbia Dr/US-395 S exit from WA-240 E and take exit 102 for I-182 E/US-12 E toward Richland/Pasco.
Q: What is the recommended course of action in case of heavy traffic along the way? A: Stay updated on traffic conditions using navigation apps and consider alternative routes if available.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 15m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Yakima County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Centralia and Kennewick.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centralia and Kennewick.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
101 m · 20 sec · East Main Street
-
2
Turn left onto South Pearl Street
1891 ft · 1 min · South Pearl Street
-
3
Turn right onto West Cherry Street
1209 ft · 35 sec · West Cherry Street
-
4
Turn slight left onto Alder Street
1381 ft · 39 sec · Alder Street
-
5
Turn slight right onto Mellen Street
2290 ft · 1 min · Mellen Street
-
6
Turn left onto Airport Road
604 ft · 17 sec · Airport Road
-
7
Take the ramp slight left
1943 ft · 47 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
12.4 mi · 14 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Morton, Yakima
2160 ft · 1 min
-
10
Continue straight
118.9 mi · 2 hr 23 min
-
11
Continue straight
23.5 mi · 31 min
-
12
Keep slight left
64.1 mi · 1 hr 9 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
5.5 mi · 6 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward SR 240 east: Kennewick
7.3 mi · 9 min
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Columbia Drive
718 ft · 9 sec · West Columbia Drive
-
16
Exit the roundabout onto West Columbia Drive
2794 ft · 1 min · West Columbia Drive
-
17
Turn right onto North Fruitland Street
2961 ft · 2 min · North Fruitland Street
-
18
Turn right onto West Kennewick Avenue
2790 ft · 1 min · West Kennewick Avenue
-
19
Turn right onto North Newport Street
706 ft · 31 sec · North Newport Street
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Newport Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Centralia and Kennewick.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 12 East
Continue straight
119 mi · 02h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Centralia and Sunny near Kennewick.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Centralia to Kennewick?
The road trip is about 235.5 miles (379 km) and usually takes 04h 15m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tieton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.7 miles from Centralia and 117.8 miles from Kennewick.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185 miles (297.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.49 one way or $86.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Centralia and Sunny near Kennewick.
Stop Ideas Near Tieton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tieton.
Columbia Station
Quincy, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Centralia and Kennewick. Straight-line distance: 184.96 mi (297.67 km).
#1 Centralia
City in Washington State
| Population | 17,995 |
| Coordinates | 46.7162100, -122.9543000 |
| Altitude | 57 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kennewick
The second most populous city in Benton County, Washington.
| Population | 84,515 |
| Coordinates | 46.2112500, -119.1372300 |
| Altitude | 124 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Newport Street (-119.137182, 46.21125)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 379 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $43.49 | $86.97 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $46.26 | $92.52 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $47.96 | $95.91 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $45.43 | $90.86 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Washington · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.