Hoquiam, WA to Kent, WA is 98.2 miles and takes about 2h 14m via I 5 and WA 8, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Washington state, transitioning from the Pacific Coast region towards another Pacific Coast locale. Expect a straightforward journey for a single day of travel, suitable for those prioritizing efficiency. It's a practical route that gets you where you need to go without unnecessary detours, making it a good option for a quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 miles from Hoquiam, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 98.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the 98.2 miles on major highways like I 5 and WA 8. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 37 miles on I 5, offering a consistent pace. The route begins on Olympic Highway before merging onto faster roadways. The character of the drive is predominantly one of steady travel on well-maintained roads, allowing for smooth progress across the landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 37 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.7 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 98.2 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 80.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
88.9 mi into trip|~2h 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
91.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
92 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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 Hoquiam, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
Muckleshoot Reservation
88.9 mi in|~2h
Renton
91.8 mi in|~2h 4m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
37 mi
46m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
Valley Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Simpson Avenue
2.9 mi
7m
State Route 18
2.4 mi
3m
East Wishkah Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 37 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoquiam, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on WA 109
2.9 mi·7 min·Simpson Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto US 101
0.4 mi·1 min·North Park Street
3
Turn left onto West Market Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Market Street
4
Enter roundabout onto South F Street
21 ft·0 sec·South F Street
5
Continue on South F Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·South F Street
6
Turn left onto US 12
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Heron Street
7
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
8
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
9
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
10
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
11
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
13
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto WA 18
2.4 mi·3 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto WA 167
4.8 mi·5 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto WA 516
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
238 ft·5 sec·4th Avenue South
23
Continue on 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi·31 sec·4th Avenue South
24
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Gowe Street
25
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
26
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours, this route is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can leave in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or depart in the afternoon and reach your destination before evening. Given the relatively short distance, you might only need one fuel stop, so keep an eye on your gauge as you approach the halfway point. The primary highways are well-serviced, so finding a gas station or a quick rest area should not be an issue along I 5.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.1 miles from Hoquiam, WA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 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 22 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
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 Hoquiam, 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 Hoquiam, WA
This is one driving day of about 98.2 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Hoquiam, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.1 mi from Hoquiam, WA
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 98.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.55 one way
$41.10 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$21.55
$43.11
premium
$5.77
$22.30
$44.60
diesel
$5.61
$21.68
$43.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.31
$4.71
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.59
$3.93
EV Truck/SUV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.28
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 Jun 22, 2022
Origin
Hoquiam, WA
Evening
in Hoquiam on Friday
Local time
7:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Evening
in Kent on Friday
Local time
7:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
9 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 14m 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 Hoquiam, WA to Kent, WA covers 98.2 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 8, Olympic Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.1 miles from Hoquiam, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.55 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 is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 98.2 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 80.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hoquiam, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
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.
