Origin
Waterville, WA
Late night in Waterville on Wednesday
Local time
5:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waterville, WA to Kent, WA
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
166.6 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waterville, WA
Frank Cone
Trip Overview
This 166.6-mile drive from Waterville, WA, to Kent, WA, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 3 hours and 34 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 90, US 97, and US 2, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, it's an economical option for travelers moving within the Pacific Coast region. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
83.3 miles from Waterville, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The majority of this 166.6-mile journey, 87%, consists of highway driving, offering a consistent pace. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 60 miles on I 90, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While the profile is largely highway-focused, the inclusion of US 97 and US 2 suggests potential shifts in scenery and road type as you transition between these major arteries. Expect a drive that prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 60 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in near US 97 / US 2.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 166.6 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 37.7 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
37.7 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
US 97 / US 2
Take the exit onto US 97 / US 2 toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
7
143.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
143.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
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
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
7
160.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covingt...
7
166 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waterville, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Ellensburg
37.7 mi in
|
~53m
|
via US 97
Seattle
37.7 mi in
|
~53m
|
via US 97
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
143.9 mi in
|
~2h 59m
Tacoma
143.9 mi in
|
~2h 59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 60 mi | 1h 6m |
| US 97 | 35.3 mi | 44m |
| US 2 | 23.5 mi | 30m |
| State Route 18 | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| Sunset Highway | 12 mi | 19m |
| WA 970 | 9.9 mi | 12m |
| Southeast 272nd Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Kent Kangley Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 60 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterville, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on South Chelan Avenue
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Chelan Avenue
2
Turn right onto West Elm Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Elm Street
3
Continue on US 2
8.9 mi
·
14 min
·
Sunset Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 97
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
US 2; US 97
5
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97
48 ft
·
1 sec
·
Sunset Highway
6
Continue on US 2; US 97
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Sunset Highway
7
Turn right onto US 2; US 97
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 2/97
8
Continue on US 2; US 97
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Odabashian Bridge
9
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97
137 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 2; US 97
10
Continue on US 2; US 97
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 2; US 97
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 97
140 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 2; US 97
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2; US 97
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 2; US 97
13
Take the exit onto US 97
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 2
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto US 97
35 mi
·
44 min
·
US 97
15
Continue on WA 970
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
WA 970
16
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
WA 970
17
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Sunset Highway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 90 West
19
Merge onto I 90
60 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
23
Continue on WA 18
16 mi
·
20 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
27
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Canyon Drive
30
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Smith Street
31
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
34
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
With Waterville to Kent clocking in at just 166.6 miles and under 4 hours, this trip offers significant flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. You'll be on the road for roughly 3 hours and 34 minutes, with an estimated fuel cost of $35, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before leaving Waterville to minimize fuel planning. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 60 miles on I 90, so plan your breaks accordingly.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.3 miles from Waterville, WA, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 51m
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 Waterville, 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 Waterville, WA
This is one driving day of about 166.6 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waterville, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 60 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.3 mi from Waterville, WA · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Waterville, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 miles.
Arriving in Kent, WA
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.87 one way
$69.74 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $36.57 | $73.13 |
| premium | $5.77 | $37.83 | $75.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.78 | $73.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.49 | $8.00 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.58 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.32 | $10.66 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Kent, WA
Late night in Kent on Wednesday
Local time
5:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
38°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
31 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 34m 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 Waterville, WA to Kent, WA covers 166.6 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 97, US 2. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.3 miles from Waterville, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.87 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 166.6 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 37.7 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waterville, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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