Central Park to Kent is 88.1 miles and takes about 1h 53m via I 5 and WA 8, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington, moving between the Pacific Coast region. Expect a drive that's mostly highway, making it a straightforward journey. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without significant detours. Plan for this trip to be a single-day adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44 miles from Central Park, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 88.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the 88.1 miles spent on faster roads like I 5 and WA 8. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 37 miles on I 5, offering a consistent pace. The Olympic Highway also contributes to the route, though the overall character leans heavily towards efficient travel. While mostly highway, the inclusion of WA 8 and Olympic Highway might offer slight variations in scenery and speed compared to a pure interstate experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 37 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.6 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 70.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
78.8 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
87.2 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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.
Between Central Park, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
Muckleshoot Reservation
78.8 mi in|~1h 39m
Renton
81.7 mi in|~1h 43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
37 mi
46m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
14.8 mi
18m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
Valley Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
State Route 18
2.4 mi
3m
West Willis Street
0.2 mi
<1m
4th Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 37 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central Park, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on US 12
15 mi·18 min·Olympic Highway
2
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
3
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
5
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto WA 18
2.4 mi·3 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto WA 167
4.8 mi·5 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto WA 516
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
238 ft·5 sec·4th Avenue South
15
Continue on 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi·31 sec·4th Avenue South
16
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Gowe Street
17
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
18
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 2 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving anytime between morning and mid-afternoon should allow you to complete the 88.1-mile drive comfortably within daylight hours. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, keep an eye on gas prices, but you likely won't need multiple fill-ups. Since this is a one-day trip, you can afford to be spontaneous; however, be aware that the longest stretch on I 5 is 37 miles, so plan your last restroom break before entering that segment.
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 44 miles from Central Park, WA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
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 Central Park, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central Park, WA
This is one driving day of about 88.1 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Central Park, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44 mi from Central Park, WA
· 55m 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 88.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.44 one way
$36.88 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$19.34
$38.67
premium
$5.77
$20.01
$40.01
diesel
$5.61
$19.45
$38.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.4
0
$9.25
$4.23
Efficient EV
22
0
$7.71
$3.52
EV Truck/SUV
35.2
0
$12.33
$5.64
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Central Park, WA
Evening
in Central Park on Friday
Local time
6:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Evening
in Kent on Friday
Local time
6:23 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 53m 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 Central Park, WA to Kent, WA covers 88.1 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 8, Olympic Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44 miles from Central Park, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.44 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 70.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Central Park, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
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.
