Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
175.5 mi
282 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Photo: Sanket Mishra
The drive from Sunnyside, WA to Kent, WA covers 175.5 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 97, I 82, State Route 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.7 miles on US 97. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.8 miles from Sunnyside, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
This is a 3h 27m highway drive covering 175.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 97 and I 82. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.7 miles on US 97.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.9 miles in near US 97.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 175.5 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 66.9 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Between Sunnyside, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
Tacoma
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 85.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| I 82 | 62.6 mi | 1h 8m |
| State Route 18 | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| Yakima Valley Highway | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Southeast 272nd Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Kent Kangley Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Canyon Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| South 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyside, WA and Kent, WA.
Start on South 9th Street
Turn right onto Franklin Avenue
Turn right onto South 6th Street
Turn left onto Yakima Valley Highway
Turn left onto West Sunnyside Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 82; US 12
Continue on I 82; US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Turn right onto WA 516
Continue on WA 516
Continue on WA 516
Continue on WA 516
Continue on WA 516
Continue on WA 516
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Continue on East Gowe Street
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.8 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kent, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA
This is one driving day of about 175.5 miles and 3h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.8 mi from Sunnyside, WA · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87.8 miles from Sunnyside, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.7 miles.
The final approach into Kent, 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 Kent, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$36.83 one way
$73.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $38.46 | $76.93 |
| premium | $5.77 | $39.87 | $79.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.99 | $77.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.43 | $8.42 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.57 | $11.23 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Sunnyside on Saturday
Local time
3:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Kent on Saturday
Local time
3:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
88 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Sunnyside, WA or browse trips ending in Kent, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Sunnyside, WA or Kent, WA on MapSof.net.
