Origin
Fords Prairie, WA
Afternoon in Fords Prairie on Friday
Local time
12:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
69.1 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fords Prairie, WA
Tim Mossholder
Fords Prairie, WA to Kent, WA is 69.1 miles and takes about 1h 26m via I 5 and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you within Washington's Pacific Coast region for its entirety. Expect a straightforward highway-focused journey, ideal for a quick transit between these two locations. With a drive time under two hours, it's a convenient option for a single-day trip, allowing plenty of time for your destination activities.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 69.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey on major roads like I 5 and State Route 18. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest single segment covering 58.4 miles on I 5. The character of the drive is largely defined by these main arteries, offering consistent speeds and efficient travel. While primarily highway, the route includes sections on the Valley Freeway and State Route 18, suggesting a smooth, albeit fast-paced, progression.
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 51.6 miles in near I 5.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.1 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 51.6 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fords Prairie, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
Muckleshoot Reservation
Renton
| 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 | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 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 | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Fords Prairie, WA and Kent, WA.
Start on Harrison Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5; US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Merge onto WA 18
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto WA 167
Take the exit
Turn right onto WA 516
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
Continue on 4th Avenue South
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Fords Prairie, WA · 42m 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.
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Fords Prairie, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$14.46 one way
$28.92 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.17 | $30.33 |
| premium | $5.77 | $15.69 | $31.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.26 | $30.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.2 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 | 20.7 | 0 | $7.26 | $3.32 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.05 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.67 | $4.42 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Fords Prairie on Friday
Local time
12:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Kent on Friday
Local time
12:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
46°F
Lakewood, WA
35 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Fords Prairie, WA or browse trips ending in Kent, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.