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Trip from Kent, WA to Clear Lake, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

87 mi

140 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m

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

Downtown Clear Lake, WA, WA

Clear Lake, WA

JOHN CALLERY

Trip Overview

This 87-mile drive from Kent, WA to Clear Lake, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. You'll primarily be on major freeways, including I-5 and I-405, with a short section on the Valley Freeway, making it a highly accessible journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $18, which is quite reasonable for this distance. Given its highway-focused profile and relatively short duration, this route offers a straightforward way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. It's a practical option for those looking for an efficient drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

43.5 miles from Kent, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 87 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for 93% of this 87-mile journey. Much of your time will be spent on I-5, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 44.7 miles. The drive is characterized by its freeway nature, allowing for consistent speeds. While the main roads are interstates, the overall profile suggests a smooth and direct trip, without significant detours onto slower, more scenic byways. The route is designed for efficiency, keeping you moving along.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 44.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near WA 167 / Valley Freeway.

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 87 miles you will encounter 15 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 1 miles (WA 167 / Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (I 405): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

5
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | WA 167 / Valley Freeway

Merge onto WA 167 / Valley Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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
5
7.7 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 405

Merge onto I 405

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
24.4 mi into trip | ~31m in | I 405

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.7 mi into trip | ~44m in

Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia

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 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...

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 Kent, WA to Clear Lake, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.

Vancouver British Columbia

34.7 mi in | ~44m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 44.7 mi 52m
I 405 26.9 mi 33m
Valley Freeway 5.9 mi 7m
East College Way 3.6 mi 7m
State Route 9 3.2 mi 6m
West Willis Street 0.2 mi <1m
4th Avenue South 0.2 mi <1m
West Gowe Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 44.7 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Clear Lake, 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

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Willis Street
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton
7

Merge onto WA 167

5.9 mi · 7 min · Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 405 North: Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 405

17 mi · 20 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

8.4 mi · 10 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 405
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 5

45 mi · 52 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward WA 538 East: College Way
15

Turn right onto East College Way

3.6 mi · 7 min · East College Way
Use the right lane.
16

Enter roundabout onto WA 9

183 ft · 3 sec · State Route 9
17

Continue on WA 9

3.2 mi · 6 min · State Route 9
18

Turn right onto Lake Street

181 ft · 13 sec · Lake Street
19

Turn left

25 ft · 1 sec
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 1 hour and 53 minute drive, flexibility is key. You can depart at any time without feeling rushed. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-5, and consider filling up before you leave Kent if you prefer a full tank. The estimated fuel cost of $18 is minimal, so budget accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations.

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 43.5 miles from Kent, WA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 19 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.5 miles or 55m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear Lake, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Kent, WA

This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Kent, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 44.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43.5 mi from Kent, WA · 55m into the drive

Downtown Martha Lake, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Martha Lake, WA

44 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

Bellevue, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eastmont, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.5 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clear Lake, WA

The final approach into Clear Lake, 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

$18.21 one way

$36.42 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $19.10 $38.19
premium $5.77 $19.76 $39.51
diesel $5.61 $19.21 $38.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.1 0 $9.13 $4.18
Efficient EV 21.8 0 $7.61 $3.48
EV Truck/SUV 34.8 0 $12.18 $5.57

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Kent, WA

Afternoon in Kent on Friday

Local time

2:10 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clear Lake, WA

Afternoon in Clear Lake on Friday

Local time

2:10 PM

PDT

Current temp

58°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

11 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 53m 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 Clear Lake, WA covers 87 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, I 405, 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 43.5 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 $18.21 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 87 miles you will encounter 15 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 1 miles (WA 167 / Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (I 405): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Kent, WA to Clear Lake, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.

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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