Origin
Kent, WA
Evening in Kent on Sunday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, WA to Renton, WA
Drive Time
12m
Distance
8.3 mi
13 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 12m
★
6 AM
0h 13m
8 AM
0h 15m
10 AM
0h 14m
12 PM
0h 13m
3 PM
0h 14m
5 PM
0h 15m
8 PM
0h 12m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Kent and Renton, this 8.3-mile trip is an efficient way to get across the Pacific Coast region. The drive takes approximately 12 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stops. With fuel costs estimated at just $2, it is an incredibly budget-friendly route for your schedule. You will primarily utilize the Valley Freeway, Rainier Avenue South, and West Willis Street to complete the journey. Because the distance is so short, you have complete flexibility to make this trip whenever your daily plans require it.
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
4.2 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 77% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Valley Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 6.4 miles. The transition from the freeway onto local roads like West Willis Street and Rainier Avenue South happens quickly, shifting the pace from open pavement to a more urban environment. While the drive is brief, it maintains a consistent, functional rhythm that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, scenic detours. You will find that the road character is utilitarian, designed specifically to bridge these two Washington cities without unnecessary complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Valley Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Valley Freeway and Rainier Avenue South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Gowe Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 12m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Gowe Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (4th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Gowe Street
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Avenue South
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward WA 167 North: Renton
Navigation decision point
Toward WA 167 North: Renton
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Freeway | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Willis Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Gowe Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Valley Freeway
— 6.4 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Renton, 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
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left / none lanes.
9
Turn right
39 ft
·
2 sec
10
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short, 12-minute excursion, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or rest stops. You can easily complete the entire 8.3-mile distance in one go without needing to refuel, keeping your total travel costs to the $2 estimate. To ensure the smoothest experience, check local traffic reports for the Valley Freeway before you pull out of your driveway, as urban congestion can impact your arrival time. Use the flexibility of this short drive to your advantage by planning your departure around your personal errands rather than strict travel windows. Keep a close watch on your exit transitions when moving from the main highway onto Rainier Avenue South to ensure you stay on your intended path.
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 4.2 miles from Kent, WA, or about 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.4 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 8.3 miles or 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.2 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Renton, 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 8.3 miles and 12m.
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 Valley Freeway for about 6.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.2 mi from Kent, WA · 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.2 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Renton, WA
The final approach into Renton, 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 Renton, 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
$1.74 one way
$3.48 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $1.82 | $3.64 |
| premium | $5.77 | $1.89 | $3.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.84 | $3.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.87 | $0.40 |
| Efficient EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.73 | $0.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Evening in Renton on Sunday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°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
2 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
12m 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 Renton, WA covers 8.3 miles and takes about 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Valley Freeway, Rainier Avenue South, West Willis Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.2 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 $1.74 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 straightforward 12m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Gowe Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (4th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Kent, WA to Renton, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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