Origin
Centralia, WA
Late night in Centralia on Friday
Local time
4:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centralia, WA to Kent, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 28m
Distance
69.5 mi
112 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 28m
8 AM
1h 42m
10 AM
1h 33m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 41m
8 PM
1h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centralia, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Centralia, WA to Kent, WA covers 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, Valley Freeway, State Route 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.4 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.55 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 69.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 28m highway drive covering 69.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and Valley Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 58.4 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 17 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 58.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Valley Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 52 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
52 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m 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
60.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
63.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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 Centralia, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
Muckleshoot Reservation
60.2 mi in
|
~1h 14m
Renton
63.2 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 58.4 mi | 1h 9m |
| Valley Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| State Route 18 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Harrison Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Willis Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Gowe Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 58.4 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centralia, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on Harrison Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 5 North
4
Merge onto I 5; US 12
50 mi
·
59 min
·
I 5; US 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto WA 18
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto WA 167
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto WA 516
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
238 ft
·
5 sec
·
4th Avenue South
14
Continue on 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
4th Avenue South
15
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Gowe Street
16
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
17
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.8 mi from Centralia, WA · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.8 miles from Centralia, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.55 one way
$29.09 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.25 | $30.51 |
| premium | $5.77 | $15.78 | $31.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.34 | $30.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.30 | $3.34 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night in Kent on Friday
Local time
4:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Lakewood, WA
35 mi in
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
13 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
1h 28m 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 Centralia, WA to Kent, WA covers 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Valley Freeway, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.8 miles from Centralia, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.55 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 69.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 52 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Centralia, 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 and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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