Origin
Gold Bar, WA
Afternoon in Gold Bar on Friday
Local time
3:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gold Bar, 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 19m
Distance
55.7 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gold Bar, WA
yun zhu
Trip Overview
This 55.7-mile drive from Gold Bar, WA to Kent, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with 86% of the journey on highways, making it a straightforward transit. You'll navigate along I-405 and US-2, with a segment on State Highway 522. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this trip offers an economical way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. It's a practical choice for those looking for an efficient journey rather than an extensive scenic tour.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 55.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 55.7-mile route, with 86% of your travel on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 20.4 miles on I-405, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition between US-2 and State Highway 522 before merging onto the interstate system. This drive prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently, with minimal time spent on slower, local roads. The character of the drive is largely defined by its highway segments, providing a predictable and smooth experience for the majority of the 1 hour and 19-minute duration.
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 405 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and US 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.9 miles in near WA 522 / State Highway 522.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.7 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 13.9 miles (WA 522 / State Highway 522): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 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.
8
13.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
WA 522 / State Highway 522
Take the exit onto WA 522 / State Highway 522 toward WA 522 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward WA 522 West
6
27.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue
8
48.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue Sou...
7
48.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
7
53.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward 84th Avenue South, North Central Avenue
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 84th Avenue South, North Central Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Gold Bar, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Rainier Avenue South along the way.
Rainier Avenue South
48.3 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 20.4 mi | 25m |
| US 2 | 9.8 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 522 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| State Route 522 | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Valley Freeway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Croft Avenue | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Central Avenue North | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| East Gowe Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 405
— 20.4 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gold Bar, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on Lewis Avenue West
153 ft
·
12 sec
·
Lewis Avenue West
2
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 2
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Croft Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto US 2
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 2
5
Continue on US 2
9.8 mi
·
16 min
·
US 2
6
Take the exit onto WA 522
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 522
Toward WA 522 West
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on WA 522
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
State Route 522
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn slight left onto I 405
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto WA 167
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward 84th Avenue South, North Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Central Avenue North
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Avenue North
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto East Gowe Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Gowe Street
16
Turn right 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 27.8 mi from Gold Bar, WA · 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Gold Bar, 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
$11.66 one way
$23.32 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $12.23 | $24.45 |
| premium | $5.77 | $12.65 | $25.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.30 | $24.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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
Afternoon in Kent on Friday
Local time
3:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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 19m 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 Gold Bar, WA to Kent, WA covers 55.7 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 405, US 2, State Highway 522. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.8 miles from Gold Bar, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.66 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 55.7 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 13.9 miles (WA 522 / State Highway 522): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Gold Bar, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Rainier Avenue South along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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