This 113.8-mile drive from Longview Heights, WA, to Kent, WA, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5 and the Valley Freeway, with a stretch on State Route 18, this route is a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $24, making it an economical option for a quick trip within the Pacific Coast region. You'll find this drive to be efficient, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. It's a good option for a day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.9 miles from Longview Heights, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 113.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a heavily highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 98.7 miles on I-5, indicating long periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a route designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. While the specific character of State Route 18 or the Valley Freeway isn't detailed, the overall emphasis on interstate travel implies a consistent driving experience with limited changes in road type. You'll likely encounter steady traffic flow for most of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 98.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Valley Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 96.3 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 113.8 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 96.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
96.3 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
104.5 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
7
107.4 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
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 WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
8
107.6 mi into trip|~2h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
7
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street
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 WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Longview Heights, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
Muckleshoot Reservation
104.5 mi in|~2h 12m
Renton
107.4 mi in|~2h 16m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
98.7 mi
1h 54m
Valley Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
State Route 18
2.4 mi
3m
Westside Highway
1.6 mi
3m
Columbia Heights Road
1.6 mi
5m
Nevada Drive
1.4 mi
5m
Lexington Bridge Drive
0.4 mi
1m
West Willis Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 98.7 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview Heights, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on this road
29 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Crestmont Avenue
321 ft·15 sec·Crestmont Avenue
3
Turn left onto Alpine Way
283 ft·18 sec·Alpine Way
4
Turn left onto Cedar Gates Road
508 ft·23 sec·Cedar Gates Road
5
Turn right onto Laulainen Road
523 ft·24 sec·Laulainen Road
6
Turn left onto Gates Road
0.1 mi·35 sec·Gates Road
7
Turn right onto Columbia Heights Road
1.6 mi·5 min·Columbia Heights Road
8
Turn left onto Nevada Drive
1.4 mi·5 min·Nevada Drive
9
At end of road, turn left onto WA 411
1.6 mi·3 min·Westside Highway
10
Turn right onto Lexington Bridge Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Lexington Bridge Drive
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
12
Merge onto I 5
90 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto WA 18
2.4 mi·3 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the right lane.
18
Merge onto WA 167
4.8 mi·5 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto WA 516
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
238 ft·5 sec·4th Avenue South
22
Continue on 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi·31 sec·4th Avenue South
23
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Gowe Street
24
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
25
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 26-minute duration, starting your journey in the morning can help you avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach Kent. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to decide when and where to take breaks. The fuel cost estimate of $24 is a helpful budget point, but always be aware of your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.7-mile stretch on I-5. Consider filling up before departing Longview Heights to ensure you have ample fuel for the entire trip.
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 56.9 miles from Longview Heights, WA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.7 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 25 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.9 miles or 1h 16m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kent, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longview Heights, 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 Longview Heights, WA
This is one driving day of about 113.8 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Longview Heights, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 98.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.9 mi from Longview Heights, WA
· 1h 16m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 113.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.82 one way
$47.63 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$24.98
$49.96
premium
$5.77
$25.84
$51.68
diesel
$5.61
$25.13
$50.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.95
$5.46
Efficient EV
28.5
0
$9.96
$4.55
EV Truck/SUV
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Longview Heights, WA
Morning
in Longview Heights on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Morning
in Kent on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
2h 26m 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 Longview Heights, WA to Kent, WA covers 113.8 miles and takes about 2h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Valley Freeway, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.9 miles from Longview Heights, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.82 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 demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 113.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 96.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Longview Heights, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Renton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
