Trip from Kent, WA to Carnation, WA

Drive Time

55m

Distance

35.4 mi

57 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min

4 AM

0h 51m ★

6 AM

0h 55m

8 AM

1h 4m

10 AM

0h 58m

12 PM

0h 57m

3 PM

0h 59m

5 PM

1h 4m

8 PM

0h 52m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Carnation, WA

Townsend Walton

Trip Overview

Traveling from Kent to Carnation covers 35.4 miles of Washington’s Pacific Coast region. You can expect the journey to take approximately 55 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $7, it is an affordable excursion that easily fits into a weekend schedule. The route utilizes a combination of I-405, I-90, and the Valley Freeway to navigate between these two locations. Because the total duration is under an hour, there is no need to plan for overnight stays, allowing you maximum flexibility with your time. It is a straightforward transit that connects suburban areas without requiring extensive logistical planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

17.7 miles from Kent, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 35.4-mile trek offers a mixed driving experience that transitions between high-speed infrastructure and local transit. Roughly 58% of your journey takes place on highways, providing a blend of efficient travel and slower-paced road segments. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-405, covering 7.7 miles before shifting onto other arterial roads. As you move away from the busier freeway sections, the character of the drive shifts, requiring you to remain alert to changing traffic patterns. Expect a functional drive that balances the pace of major interstates with the necessary connections to reach your final destination in Carnation.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 31 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 7.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 35.4 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 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

6.9 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 405 North: Bellevue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 405 North: Bellevue

15.5 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane

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 11 Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane

15.7 mi into trip | ~21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 90 East: Spokane

22.7 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the exit toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

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 17 Toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkwa...

23 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Sammamish, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Sammamish, East Lake Sammamish Parkway S...

Towns Along This Route

Between Kent, WA and Carnation, WA, road signs point toward Spokane, Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast and Sammamish.

Spokane

15.5 mi in | ~20m

Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

22.7 mi in | ~30m

Sammamish

23 mi in | ~31m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 405	7.7 mi	9m
I 90	6.6 mi	8m
Valley Freeway	5.9 mi	7m
Northeast Tolt Hill Road	3.2 mi	7m
Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road	3 mi	5m
Southeast Duthie Hill Road	2.2 mi	3m
Redmond Fall City Road Southeast	1.5 mi	2m
Redmond Fall City Road Northeast	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 405 — 7.7 mi, about 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 2nd Avenue South

10 ft · 4 sec · 2nd Avenue South

Turn right onto West Gowe Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · West Gowe Street

Turn left onto 4th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 23 sec · 4th Avenue South

Turn slight right

182 ft · 6 sec

Turn straight onto WA 516

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Willis Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Toward WA 167 North: Renton

Merge onto WA 167

5.9 mi · 7 min · Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 405 North: Bellevue Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 405

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 405

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 11 Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 90 East: Spokane Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 90

6.6 mi · 8 min · I 90

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Exit 17 Toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

229 ft · 7 sec

Toward Sammamish, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

Turn left onto Front Street North

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Front Street North

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

82 ft · 1 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

108 ft · 2 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

62 ft · 1 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

Continue on Southeast Duthie Hill Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Duthie Hill Road

Use the none lane.

Continue on 292nd Avenue Southeast

0.1 mi · 20 sec · 292nd Avenue Southeast

Turn left onto Redmond Fall City Road Southeast

1.5 mi · 2 min · Redmond Fall City Road Southeast

Continue on WA 202

1.1 mi · 1 min · Redmond Fall City Road Northeast

Turn slight right onto Northeast Tolt Hill Road

3.2 mi · 7 min · Northeast Tolt Hill Road

Turn left onto WA 203

0.8 mi · 1 min · Tolt Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Entwistle Street

73 ft · 3 sec · Entwistle Street

Arrive at destination

Entwistle Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids peak rush hour congestion on the I-405 and I-90 corridors. You won’t need to worry about mid-trip rest stops given the 55-minute travel time, so plan to complete the drive in one steady push. Budgeting $7 for fuel is sufficient for this distance, though keep an eye on local gas prices before you head out to ensure your estimate holds. Because the route relies heavily on major freeways, checking real-time traffic apps before you pull out of your driveway is a smart move. Use this flexibility to time your arrival in Carnation exactly when you want it.

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 17.7 miles from Kent, WA, or about 24m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 35.4 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 17.7 miles or 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carnation, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Kent, 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 Kent, WA

This is one driving day of about 35.4 miles and 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kent, WA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on I 405 for about 7.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 17.7 mi from Kent, WA · 24m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Redmond, WA

18 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

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellevue, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Carnation, WA

The final approach into Carnation, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Carnation, WA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.43 one way

$14.86 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 12 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.57	$7.76	$15.52
premium	$5.77	$8.04	$16.09
diesel	$5.64	$7.86	$15.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	10.6	$3.72	$1.70
Efficient EV	8.9	$3.10	$1.42
EV Truck/SUV	14.2	$4.96	$2.27

Gas CO2

12 kg

EV CO2

4 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Kent, WA

Evening in Kent on Sunday

Local time

8:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carnation, WA

Evening in Carnation on Sunday

Local time

8:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

55m 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 Carnation, WA covers 35.4 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 405, I 90, Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 17.7 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 $7.43 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.