Off to College in a Kia Carnival

Two women posing outdoors on a sunny day; the woman on the left with curly gray hair, round sunglasses, and a striped shirt makes a heart shape with her hands, while the younger woman on the right smiles in a red shirt and glasses. — *Aunt Stefanie (author, left) expresses her fondness for road trips alongside new college freshman Riley Kahl. The third "road gypsy" on this trip, Nana (Sheree Cogan), stays behind the scenes.*

We were road gypsies rolling through eastern Washington state in a Kia Carnival. There were snacks, many snacks, and there was space, lots of space. The ample interior of the Carnival was key to keeping a multigenerational gaggle of gals comfy and kind to each other on a near-five-hour-ride of almost 300 miles each way.

Kia Carnival parked in front of Meeker Mercantile storefronts on a sunny street, including Meeker Mercantile and a clothing shop. — *We started out our journay with a stop for locally-made goods at Meeker Mercantile in Puyllap, near Tacoma.*

First Stop: Meeker Mercantile

Settling in after loading up in Tacoma, it was easy to see how Kia designed this minivan for real world travelers. Storage cubbies were abundant and the wide center console swallowed water bottles and chargers. Dual panoramic displays created a clean, modern look and kept navigation and trip information easy to use without feeling overwhelmingly tech heavy. Seating was comfortable and the ride smooth. We appreciated this all the more as the miles rolled by.

Kia Carnival minivan parked on a gravel road beside tall corrugated metal grain silos, with a driver visible through the windshield.

As the crew set out for the adventure and unknown experience of college, the journey would include a mountain pass, two lane rural highways, and city streets. Along the way we experienced a dramatic and sudden shift from towering pines and mountain ranges to rolling hills of wheat and grain silos.

Kia Carnival cargo area filled with colorful shopping bags and a few items, ready for unload at the curb.

The Carnival’s gas mileage surprised us. Averaging 21 mpg, the Carnival seemed to have a large tank, and we might have even achieved 28 mpg on our mostly highway travel. Our test car wasn’t the hybrid version of the Carnival that gets up to 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving, but we were still pleased with its efficiency.

Kia Carnival minivan with dark tinted windows parked on a gravel lot beside large corrugated metal silos in a rural area

On to Washington State University

Over the course of our three day trip to Washington State University and brief foray into Idaho, which included some sightseeing, we only needed to gas up once. We filled up at one of the last spots before entering “The Palouse,” an agricultural area with vast fields and farmhouses but few services. We were delighted by the lack of struggle to maintain speed over the Snoqualmie Pass. While we weren’t sure how the minivan would handle the drive amid semis up the grade, there was never any time when we lacked the power needed to safely pass or merge.

Large stone sign reading 'Blue Star Memorial Highway' with a blue star, trees and trucks in the background against a clear blue sky.

That sense of confidence was supported by the Carnival’s 3.5 liter V-6, which delivered power smoothly and without drama. On open stretches, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist were available in the background to support our driving. Other systems working behind the scenes like forward collision warning and driver attention monitoring also offered quiet reassurance as road conditions changed, all working without calling attention to themselves. It was nice to know all this was there.

Two women posing for a carefree selfie outdoors; one with curly gray hair and a colorful floral top stretches her hands like claws, smiling beside a younger woman with round glasses.

Riley's Kia Carnival Lair

Riley, the soon-to-be WSU freshman in our midst, liked the customized climate control zones in the back seat, which she fully conquered as her lair. She also discovered the Carnival’s generous USB-C ports. Nine are scattered throughout the interior so no one had to negotiate charging priority. Even the third row had easy access to power, a rarity in many family vehicles. We didn’t have the opportunity to use those third row USB-C ports since the seat was folded down to accommodate luggage and gear, but it was nice to know they were there if our traveling needs were different. Our test model didn’t include Kia’s rear seat entertainment system, though upper-trim Carnivals do offer dual screens with streaming capability. That feature would be welcome on longer trips like this.

Car dashboard digital display showing navigation cue to Canyon Rd E and current speed near 0 mph.

The Carnival’s safety features included displays in the instrument panel showing side views when turn signals were engaged. We found this a handy feature that aided our side mirrors in eliminating any blind spots. Various alerts and warning indicators on the dash display and in the side mirrors kept us informed of potential risks and helped guide safe lane changes.

Blue SUV parked on gravel beside a muraled wall with pine trees and yellow hills in the background, daytime. — *WSU in Pullman was the primary destination with a stop at nearby Idaho State University in Moscow*.

Kia Carnival a Road Trip Natural

This vehicle was bigger than those normally piloted by at least two of the drivers on this trip but was surprisingly easy to manage. Inside, ample room throughout the spacious Carnival made passenger naps common, and the panoramic sunroof allowed for extra sunshine and big-sky views. Our test car’s upgraded trim package made for a luxuriously comfortable expedition. The leather seats even included a cooling option along with the usual heat settings, so cooling was blessedly used on our 90-plus degree driving days.

Red brick Gothic-style university building with a large arched stone entrance, blue roof, and evergreen trees in front. — *Gothic Revival details define the University of Idaho's iconic Administration Building, a Moscow campus landmark.*

Adding to the Carnival’s many appreciated features are hands-free sliding doors and a hands-free tailgate to make loading and unloading more convenient. Even with our mountain of luggage, snacks, and “just-in-case” items, the Carnival’s cargo flexibility, especially with the fold-in-floor third row, meant we never felt cramped. It’s the kind of vehicle that seems designed to anticipate what a road trip will throw at you.

Red brick Gothic-style campus building with two round towers on either side and three peaked gables in the center, flanked by trees against a blue sky. — *Thompson Hall, the oldest building on the Washington State University campus where Riley will attend.*

A Comfortable Drive Home

We probably could have fit in some antique furniture from our stop at Thorp’s along with our luggage if we had found that must-have item. As experienced road trippers we opted for more snacks instead. On the drive home, we reflected on how the Kia Carnival had proved to be a safe, comfortable, and roomy vehicle for the five hours we had already driven across the state. That put us at ease as we anticipated the miles ahead on our return.

Interior of a car cockpit with a Kia steering wheel, digital dashboard, and center touchscreen display, plus scattered snacks and a water bottle on the console.

Mission accomplished, our travels from I-90 to US Route 195 heading home were smooth sailing in the Carnival. If only the first year of college could be, too.

Young woman in a red shirt and denim shorts jumps with arms raised in front of a large cougar statue on a rock pedestal outdoors, with trees and brick buildings in the background.