Trip from Carnation, WA to Kent, WA

Drive Time

55m

Distance

34.8 mi

56 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min

4 AM

0h 51m ★

6 AM

0h 56m

8 AM

1h 5m

10 AM

0h 59m

12 PM

0h 58m

3 PM

0h 59m

5 PM

1h 4m

8 PM

0h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Carnation, WA

Townsend Walton

Trip Overview

Connecting the rural charm of Carnation to the industrial hub of Kent, this 34.8-mile trek across Washington’s Pacific Coast region is a straightforward journey. You can expect a drive time of approximately 55 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $7, it is an economical route for commuters or weekend travelers alike. The path utilizes a combination of I-405, I-90, and the Valley Freeway to navigate between the two points. Since the entire trip takes less than an hour, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

17.4 miles from Carnation, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions from quiet outskirts to busy metropolitan corridors. About 54% of your journey is spent on highways, balancing higher-speed interstate travel with more conventional local roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along a 7.6-mile segment of I-405, which serves as the primary artery for the middle portion of the trip. The transition between these road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. By shifting from rural roads to the heavily trafficked Valley Freeway, the character of the road evolves significantly as you approach your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 405 is the longest continuous segment at about 7.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 34.8 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 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

19 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett

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 10 Toward I 405: Renton, Everett

19.2 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 405 South: Renton

27.5 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South

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 2 Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue Sou...

28 mi into trip | ~44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Auburn

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WA 167 South: Auburn

33.1 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward 84th Avenue South, North Central Avenue

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 84th Avenue South, North Central Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between Carnation, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Everett, Rainier Avenue South and 84Th Avenue South.

Everett

19 mi in | ~32m

Rainier Avenue South

27.5 mi in | ~43m

84Th Avenue South

33.1 mi in | ~51m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 405	7.6 mi	9m
I 90	6.3 mi	7m
Valley Freeway	4.6 mi	5m
Northeast Tolt Hill Road	3.2 mi	7m
Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road	3 mi	5m
Southeast Duthie Hill Road	2.2 mi	3m
Redmond Fall City Road Southeast	1.5 mi	2m
Central Avenue North	1.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 405 — 7.6 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Carnation, WA and Kent, WA.

Start on Entwistle Street

73 ft · 7 sec · Entwistle Street

Turn left onto WA 203

0.8 mi · 1 min · Tolt Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Northeast Tolt Hill Road

3.2 mi · 7 min · Northeast Tolt Hill Road

At end of road, turn left onto WA 202

1.1 mi · 1 min · Redmond Fall City Road Northeast

Continue on Redmond Fall City Road Southeast

1.5 mi · 2 min · Redmond Fall City Road Southeast

Turn right onto 292nd Avenue Southeast

0.1 mi · 13 sec · 292nd Avenue Southeast

Use the right lane.

Continue on Southeast Duthie Hill Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Duthie Hill Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

103 ft · 2 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Use the straight / left lanes.

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

103 ft · 2 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

80 ft · 1 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 West: Seattle Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 90

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 90

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 10 Toward I 405: Renton, Everett Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 405 South: Renton Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 405

7.6 mi · 9 min · I 405

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 2 Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 57 sec

Toward WA 167 South: Auburn Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto WA 167

4.6 mi · 5 min · Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Toward 84th Avenue South, North Central Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto Central Avenue North

1.3 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue North

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto East Gowe Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · East Gowe Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South

10 ft · 0 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Arrive at destination

2nd Avenue South

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short 55-minute commute, you do not need to worry about complex rest stops or intensive fuel planning. Aim to avoid peak rush hours if you want to keep your travel time consistent, as the reliance on major interstates like I-90 and I-405 can lead to congestion. Since you have zero planned stops in the data, try to handle any errands or refueling before you leave Carnation to ensure a seamless arrival in Kent. Keep a close eye on your GPS when navigating the switch between the Valley Freeway and the interstate system, as these transitions are the most critical points of the route. Use your flexibility to hit the road mid-morning or mid-afternoon to make the most of your day.

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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 17.4 miles from Carnation, WA, or about 30m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.6 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 34.8 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 17.4 miles or 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 47m

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 Carnation, 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 Carnation, WA

This is one driving day of about 34.8 miles and 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carnation, WA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on I 405 for about 7.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.4 mi from Carnation, WA · 30m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Redmond, WA

17 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Federal Way, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellevue, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from Carnation, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Kent, WA

The final approach into Kent, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kent, WA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.30 one way

$14.61 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 12 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.57	$7.63	$15.25
premium	$5.77	$7.91	$15.81
diesel	$5.64	$7.73	$15.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	10.4	$3.65	$1.67
Efficient EV	8.7	$3.04	$1.39
EV Truck/SUV	13.9	$4.87	$2.23

Gas CO2

12 kg

EV CO2

4 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Carnation, WA

Night in Carnation on Sunday

Local time

10:30 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kent, WA

Night in Kent on Sunday

Local time

10:30 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

55m 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 Carnation, WA to Kent, WA covers 34.8 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 405, I 90, Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 17.4 miles from Carnation, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.30 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.

Between Carnation, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Everett, Rainier Avenue South and 84Th Avenue South.

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Return Trip

Kent, WA to Carnation, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

35.4 mi 55m

Explore more options from Carnation, WA or browse trips ending in Kent, WA.

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Trip from Carnation, WA to Kent, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Kent, WA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Carnation, WA

Kent, WA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

55m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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