Origin
Kent, WA
Late night in Kent on Friday
Local time
12:52 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, WA to Key Center, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
40.5 mi
65 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Key Center, WA
Zulfugar Karimov
Trip Overview
The drive from Kent, WA to Key Center, WA covers 40.5 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on WA 16, I 5, Valley Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.5 miles on WA 16. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 40.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 59m highway drive covering 40.5 miles, with most of the trip on WA 16 and I 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 12.5 miles on WA 16.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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 12.5 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.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 40.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
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 Key Center, 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 | 12.5 mi | 15m |
| I 5 | 8.5 mi | 10m |
| Valley Freeway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| WA 302 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Key Peninsula Highway Northwest | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| State Route 18 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| State Route 302 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Purdy Drive Northwest | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 16
— 12.5 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Key Center, 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
13 mi
·
15 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto WA 302
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Purdy Drive Northwest
20
Turn left onto WA 302
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 302
21
Turn right onto Goldman Drive Northwest
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Goldman Drive Northwest
22
At end of road, turn right onto WA 302
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
WA 302
23
Turn straight onto Key Peninsula Highway Northwest
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Key Peninsula Highway Northwest
24
Arrive at destination
Key Peninsula Highway Northwest
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.3 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 40.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.3 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Key Center, WA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Key Center, 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
$8.48 one way
$16.95 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $8.89 | $17.78 |
| premium | $5.77 | $9.20 | $18.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.94 | $17.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.2 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 | 12.2 | 0 | $4.25 | $1.94 |
| Efficient EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
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
Key Center, WA
Late night in Key Center on Friday
Local time
12:52 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
59m 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 Key Center, WA covers 40.5 miles and takes about 59m 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 20.3 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 $8.48 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 40.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
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 Key Center, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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