The drive from Amboy, WA to Kent, WA covers 146.8 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, Northeast Cedar Creek Road, Valley Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 119.6 miles on I 5.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.4 miles from Amboy, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 146.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 58m highway drive covering 146.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and Northeast Cedar Creek Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 119.6 miles on I 5.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 119.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Northeast Cedar Creek Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.9 miles in near WA 503 / Lewis River Road.
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 16 significant decision points across 146.8 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 16.9 miles (WA 503 / Lewis River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 137.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
16.9 mi into trip|~25m in|WA 503 / Lewis River Road
At end of road, turn left onto WA 503 / Lewis River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
137.5 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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.
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
7
140.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
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 WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
8
140.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
7
145.9 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street
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 WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Amboy, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
Muckleshoot Reservation
137.5 mi in|~2h 44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
119.6 mi
2h 16m
Northeast Cedar Creek Road
10.9 mi
16m
Valley Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Northwest Hayes Road
4.1 mi
6m
State Route 18
2.4 mi
3m
Northeast Hayes Road
1.3 mi
1m
Atlantic Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Northeast 221st Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 119.6 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Amboy, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Amboy Road
80 ft·2 sec·Northeast Amboy Road
2
Turn right onto WA 503
0.5 mi·49 sec·Northeast 221st Avenue
3
Turn left onto Northeast Cedar Creek Road
11 mi·16 min·Northeast Cedar Creek Road
4
Continue on Northeast Hayes Road
1.3 mi·1 min·Northeast Hayes Road
5
Continue on Northwest Hayes Road
4.1 mi·6 min·Northwest Hayes Road
6
Continue on East CC Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·East CC Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto WA 503
125 ft·6 sec·Lewis River Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Atlantic Avenue
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
10
Merge onto I 5
111 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto WA 18
2.4 mi·3 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto WA 167
4.8 mi·5 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto WA 516
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
238 ft·5 sec·4th Avenue South
20
Continue on 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi·31 sec·4th Avenue South
21
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Gowe Street
22
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
23
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.4 miles from Amboy, WA, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.6 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kent, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Amboy, 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 Amboy, WA
This is one driving day of about 146.8 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Amboy, 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 5 for about 119.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.4 mi from Amboy, WA
· 1h 30m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 146.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.72 one way
$61.45 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$32.22
$64.44
premium
$5.77
$33.34
$66.67
diesel
$5.61
$32.41
$64.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44
0
$15.41
$7.05
Efficient EV
36.7
0
$12.85
$5.87
EV Truck/SUV
58.7
0
$20.55
$9.40
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Amboy, WA
Afternoon
in Amboy on Friday
Local time
12:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Afternoon
in Kent on Friday
Local time
12:37 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
11 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
2h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Amboy, WA to Kent, WA covers 146.8 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Northeast Cedar Creek Road, Valley Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.4 miles from Amboy, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 146.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.9 miles (WA 503 / Lewis River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 137.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Amboy, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
