The drive from West Richland, WA to Kent, WA covers 211.7 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 82, US 97, State Route 18 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.4 miles on I 82.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.31 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.8 miles from West Richland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 211.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 5m highway drive covering 211.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 82 and US 97. The longest continuous stretch is about 95.4 miles on I 82.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 95.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 82 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.1 miles in near US 97.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 211.7 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 103.1 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
103.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
7
188.8 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
189 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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
205.3 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
211.1 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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 West Richland, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
189 mi in|~3h 31m
Tacoma
189 mi in|~3h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 82
95.4 mi
1h 43m
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
State Route 18
15.8 mi
20m
State Route 224
4.8 mi
6m
West Van Giesen Street
2.3 mi
4m
Southeast 272nd Street
2 mi
3m
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
1.8 mi
3m
Canyon Drive
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 82
— 95.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Richland, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on Deer Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Deer Street
2
Turn right onto Grosscup Boulevard
224 ft·8 sec·Grosscup Boulevard
3
Turn right onto WA 224
1.0 mi·2 min·West Van Giesen Street
4
Enter roundabout onto West Van Giesen Street
96 ft·1 sec·West Van Giesen Street
5
Continue on West Van Giesen Street
1.2 mi·1 min·West Van Giesen Street
6
Continue on WA 224
4.8 mi·6 min·State Route 224
7
Continue on WA 224
0.2 mi·14 sec·East Kennedy Road
8
Enter roundabout
122 ft·2 sec
9
Continue
0.3 mi·19 sec
10
Merge onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 82; US 12
11
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
16
Continue on WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi·3 min·Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
20
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·55 sec·Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
23
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Smith Street
24
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
27
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
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 105.8 miles from West Richland, WA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.4 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
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 West Richland, 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 West Richland, WA
This is one driving day of about 211.7 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from West Richland, 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 82 for about 95.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.8 mi from West Richland, WA
· 1h 58m into the drive
The midpoint is around 105.8 miles from West Richland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.4 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.
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 211.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.31 one way
$88.61 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$46.47
$92.93
premium
$5.77
$48.07
$96.15
diesel
$5.61
$46.74
$93.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.23
$10.16
Efficient EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
EV Truck/SUV
84.7
1
$29.64
$13.55
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
West Richland, WA
Late night
in West Richland on Saturday
Local time
12:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night
in Kent on Saturday
Local time
12:00 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Rain
S 8 to 14 mph98% chanceLive forecast
Winter Weather Advisory
Winter Weather Advisory issued April 14 at 2:33AM PDT until April 14 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued April 14 at 2:33AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
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
1 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
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from West Richland, WA to Kent, WA covers 211.7 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 82, US 97, 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 105.8 miles from West Richland, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.31 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 211.7 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 103.1 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between West Richland, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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.
