Origin
Ephrata, WA
Night in Ephrata on Sunday
Local time
9:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ephrata, WA to Kent, WA
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
169 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 8m
★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ephrata, WA
Ahmad Shaufi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ephrata to Kent covers 169 miles and typically takes 3 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is well within a single day's reach, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will rely primarily on I-90, Basin Street Southwest, and State Route 18 to navigate between these two Pacific Coast region locations. Budgeting approximately $35 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. This highway-focused drive is straightforward and efficient, making it a practical choice if you are looking to get from Central Washington to the Kent area without unnecessary complications.
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
84.5 miles from Ephrata, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 84% of your journey takes place on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 125.7 miles. The drive begins with local roads before transitioning into a consistent interstate grind, eventually shifting to State Route 18 as you approach your destination. While the route is highly efficient, it leans heavily on major thoroughfares, so you should prepare for a steady, focused drive rather than a winding backroad experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 125.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Basin Street Southwest. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 20.5 miles in near I 90.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 169 miles you will encounter 10 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 20.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
20.5 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
146.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
146.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
7
162.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covington
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: South East 272nd Street, Covingt...
7
168.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Ephrata, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
146.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Tacoma
146.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 125.7 mi | 2h 17m |
| Basin Street Southwest | 20.1 mi | 27m |
| State Route 18 | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| Southeast 272nd Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Kent Kangley Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Canyon Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| Southeast 256th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 125.7 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ephrata, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on 3rd Avenue Southwest
43 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
2
Turn left onto WA 28
20 mi
·
27 min
·
Basin Street Southwest
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
4
Merge onto I 90
126 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
8
Continue on WA 18
16 mi
·
20 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Canyon Drive
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Smith Street
16
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
19
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 20-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though planning for one well-timed stop will help keep you alert. Given that the longest stretch spans over 125 miles on I-90, ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Ephrata to stay within your $35 fuel budget. Use the single recommended stop to stretch your legs and reset before tackling the final transition onto State Route 18. Checking traffic conditions on I-90 before you depart is a smart move, as this major corridor can experience significant fluctuations in flow depending on the time of day.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 84.5 miles from Ephrata, WA, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.7 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 84.5 miles or 1h 38m 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 37m
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 Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA
This is one driving day of about 169 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ephrata, 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 90 for about 125.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.5 mi from Ephrata, WA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.5 miles from Ephrata, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.7 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
$35.47 one way
$70.94 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $37.04 | $74.08 |
| premium | $5.77 | $38.40 | $76.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.55 | $75.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.74 | $8.11 |
| Efficient EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.79 | $6.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.66 | $10.82 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Night in Kent on Sunday
Local time
9:03 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
85 mi in
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
4 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
3h 20m 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 Ephrata, WA to Kent, WA covers 169 miles and takes about 3h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, Basin Street Southwest, 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 84.5 miles from Ephrata, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 169 miles you will encounter 10 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 20.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ephrata, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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