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Trip from Fords Prairie, 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 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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 20m ★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m

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

Downtown Fords Prairie, WA, WA

Fords Prairie, WA

Tim Mossholder

Trip Overview

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.

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 51.6 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 69.1 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
51.6 mi into trip | ~1h 2m 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
59.8 mi into trip | ~1h 12m 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
62.7 mi into trip | ~1h 16m 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
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 17m 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
68.2 mi into trip | ~1h 24m 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 Fords Prairie, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.

Muckleshoot Reservation

59.8 mi in | ~1h 12m

Renton

62.7 mi in | ~1h 16m

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 0.9 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.

Longest stretch: I 5 — 58.4 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fords Prairie, WA and Kent, WA.

1

Start on Harrison Avenue

0.9 mi · 2 min · Harrison Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 5 North
3

Merge onto I 5; US 12

50 mi · 59 min · I 5; US 12
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

8.2 mi · 10 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
5

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto WA 18

2.4 mi · 3 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto WA 167

4.8 mi · 5 min · Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto WA 516

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12

Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South

238 ft · 5 sec · 4th Avenue South
13

Continue on 4th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 31 sec · 4th Avenue South
14

Turn right onto West Gowe Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · West Gowe Street
15

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South

10 ft · 0 sec · 2nd Avenue South
16

Arrive at destination

2nd Avenue South

Where to Stop

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

city in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakewood, WA

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

Tumwater, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakewood, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Fords Prairie, 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

$14.46 one way

$28.92 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Fords Prairie, WA

Afternoon in Fords Prairie on Friday

Local time

12:13 PM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kent, WA

Afternoon in Kent on Friday

Local time

12:13 PM

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

2 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 26m 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 Fords Prairie, WA to Kent, WA covers 69.1 miles and takes about 1h 26m 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 34.5 miles from Fords Prairie, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.46 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 69.1 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.

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.

Between Fords Prairie, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Kent, WA to Fords Prairie, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

68.7 mi 1h 27m

Explore more options from Fords Prairie, WA or browse trips ending in Kent, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.