Trip from Dollar Corner, WA to Kent, WA

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

145 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 41m ★
6 AM
2h 52m
8 AM
3h 14m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 13m
8 PM
2h 45m

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

Downtown Dollar Corner, WA, WA

Dollar Corner, WA

Tony Began

Trip Overview

Traveling from Dollar Corner to Kent covers approximately 145 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes. Since this route is well-suited for a single day, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-5 and the Valley Freeway, making it a straightforward trek through the Pacific Coast region. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover your needs for this excursion. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick getaway, the trip is efficient and uncomplicated for most drivers.

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

72.5 miles from Dollar Corner, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 95% of the journey spent on major roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm for the majority of the trip, highlighted by a 129.8-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-5. The route transitions from local transit on Northeast 219th Street into the high-traffic efficiency of the interstate system. Expect a functional, direct experience behind the wheel rather than a winding backroad adventure. It is a reliable, fast-paced drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.

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 129.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Northeast 219th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.5 miles in near I 5.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 145 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 127.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 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
127.5 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in | I 5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
135.7 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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
138.6 mi into trip | ~2h 41m 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
138.8 mi into trip | ~2h 42m 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
144.1 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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 Along This Route

On the drive from Dollar Corner, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.

Muckleshoot Reservation

135.7 mi in | ~2h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 129.8 mi 2h 27m
Northeast 219th Street 5.3 mi 8m
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
West Gowe Street 0.1 mi <1m
2nd Avenue South <0.1 mi Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: I 5 — 129.8 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on WA 502

1.0 mi · 1 min · Northeast 219th Street
2

Continue on WA 502

4.3 mi · 7 min · Northeast 219th Street
Use the none lane.
3

Turn left

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward Seattle
4

Merge onto I 5

122 mi · 2 hr 17 min · I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

8.2 mi · 10 min · I 5
Use the none 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 none lane.
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 none / 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

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple given the manageable 2-hour and 51-minute duration, but keep in mind that I-5 traffic can fluctuate throughout the day. You only need to build in one stop to stay refreshed during the 145-mile journey. Since your fuel costs will hover around $30, consider filling up before you merge onto the main interstate to avoid potential price hikes at busy highway stations. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to your advantage by checking traffic apps for any congestion on the Valley Freeway before you depart. Being proactive about timing ensures a smooth, predictable arrival in Kent.

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 72.5 miles from Dollar Corner, WA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.8 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.5 miles or 1h 25m 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 17m

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 Dollar Corner, 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 Dollar Corner, WA

This is one driving day of about 145 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dollar Corner, 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 129.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.5 mi from Dollar Corner, WA · 1h 25m into the drive

Downtown Centralia, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centralia, WA

73 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

Centralia, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.5 miles from Dollar Corner, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.8 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.43 one way

$60.87 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $31.78 $63.56
premium $5.77 $32.94 $65.89
diesel $5.64 $32.21 $64.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.5 0 $15.23 $6.96
Efficient EV 36.3 0 $12.69 $5.80
EV Truck/SUV 58 0 $20.30 $9.28

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Dollar Corner, WA

Evening in Dollar Corner on Sunday

Local time

8:17 PM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kent, WA

Evening in Kent on Sunday

Local time

8:17 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

20 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 51m 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 Dollar Corner, WA to Kent, WA covers 145 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Northeast 219th Street, 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 72.5 miles from Dollar Corner, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.43 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 14 significant decision points across 145 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 127.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dollar Corner, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.

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Return Trip

Kent, WA to Dollar Corner, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

142.8 mi 2h 48m

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

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