Origin
Kent, WA
Afternoon in Kent on Wednesday
Local time
1:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, WA to Bethel, WA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
56m
Distance
40.9 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethel, WA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
This 40.9-mile drive from Kent, WA to Bethel, WA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 56 minutes. With 83% of the journey on highways, it's a largely efficient route designed for covering ground. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $9, making it an economical option for a quick excursion. Since it's a short drive, it's perfectly suited as a day trip without needing an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll experience consistent regional characteristics throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
20.4 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive-focused experience, as 83% of this route involves highway travel. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on main roads like WA 16 and I-5, including the Valley Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.4 miles on WA 16, providing a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. This profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key, with minimal time spent on slower, more winding local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 19.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 16 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 40.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
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 I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
8
8.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
17.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
18.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kent, WA and Bethel, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.
Tacoma
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Bremerton
17.9 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 16 | 19.4 mi | 24m |
| I 5 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Valley Freeway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| State Route 18 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Bethel Burley Road Southeast | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Bethel Road Southeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Southeast Mullenix Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Willis Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 16
— 19.4 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Bethel, WA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
10 ft
·
4 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
2
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Gowe Street
3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
4th Avenue South
4
Turn slight right
182 ft
·
6 sec
5
Turn straight onto WA 516
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Willis Street
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto WA 167
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward WA 18 West: Federal Way
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto WA 18
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
13
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto WA 16
19 mi
·
24 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward Mullenix Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Southeast Mullenix Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Southeast Mullenix Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Burley Road Southeast
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethel Burley Road Southeast
21
Continue on Bethel Road Southeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bethel Road Southeast
22
Turn right onto Southeast Cedar Road
129 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southeast Cedar Road
23
Arrive at destination
Southeast Cedar Road
Trip Plan
For this short, under-an-hour drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can leave whenever suits you best, and with only 40.9 miles to cover, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $9, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Given the minimal duration, there's no need to split this journey, and you can easily complete it in a single day. A practical tip for this route: utilize the longest stretch on WA 16 to get into a rhythm before transitioning back to other main roads.
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 20.4 miles from Kent, WA, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.4 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 40.9 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 20.4 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethel, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Kent, WA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kent, WA
This is one driving day of about 40.9 miles and 56m.
At 40.9 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on WA 16 for about 19.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.4 mi from Kent, WA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 40.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.4 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bethel, WA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Bethel, WA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.56 one way
$17.12 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $8.98 | $17.95 |
| premium | $5.77 | $9.29 | $18.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.03 | $18.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.29 | $1.96 |
| Efficient EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.58 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.73 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Bethel, WA
Afternoon in Bethel on Wednesday
Local time
1:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°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
4 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
56m 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 Kent, WA to Bethel, WA covers 40.9 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 16, I 5, Valley Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.4 miles from Kent, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.56 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 short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 40.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kent, WA and Bethel, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.
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