Airway Heights, WA to Kent, WA is 274.8 miles and takes about 5h 11m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Washington state, traversing the Pacific Coast region for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, this trip is ideal for those looking for an efficient transit between these two points. You'll primarily be on Interstate 90, making it a straightforward drive with minimal complexity. Plan for a direct journey with a focus on covering ground efficiently.
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
137.4 miles from Airway Heights, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
246.4 mi
4h 26m
State Route 18
15.8 mi
20m
South Hayford Road
3.4 mi
5m
Southeast 272nd Street
2 mi
3m
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
1.8 mi
3m
West Sunset Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Canyon Drive
1 mi
1m
Southeast 256th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 246.4 mi, about 4h 26m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~978 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,681
Quietest
2 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Airway Heights, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on West 12th Avenue
42 ft·6 sec·West 12th Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Lundstrom Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·South Lundstrom Street
3
Turn left onto US 2
1.0 mi·1 min·West Sunset Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto West Sunset Highway
95 ft·1 sec·West Sunset Highway
5
Continue on West Sunset Highway
0.5 mi·53 sec·West Sunset Highway
6
Turn right onto South Hayford Road
3.4 mi·5 min·South Hayford Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto West Geiger Boulevard
0.2 mi·16 sec·West Geiger Boulevard
8
Enter roundabout onto West Aero Road
204 ft·4 sec·West Aero Road
9
Continue on West Aero Road
455 ft·9 sec·West Aero Road
10
Enter roundabout
18 ft·0 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
11
Continue
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
12
Merge onto I 90; US 395
51 mi·54 min·I 90; US 395
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
195 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
17
Continue on WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi·3 min·Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
21
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·55 sec·Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
24
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Smith Street
25
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
28
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 274.8-mile drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample daylight for the 5h 11m estimated travel time. With a fuel cost around $61, ensure your tank is full before leaving Airway Heights, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 246.4 miles on I 90. While there's only one recommended stop, feel free to pull over as needed, especially as you transition from I 90 to State Route 18 and South Hayford Road. This route's efficiency means you have flexibility in your pacing, so take advantage of it.
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 137.4 miles from Airway Heights, WA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.4 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
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 Airway 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 Airway Heights, WA
This is one driving day of about 274.8 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Airway Heights, 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 246.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 274.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|South Hayford Road
Turn right onto South Hayford Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
251.9 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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
252.2 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
268.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
274.3 mi into trip|~5h 9m in|East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.53 one way
$107.06 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$56.09
$112.17
premium
$5.39
$58.32
$116.65
diesel
$4.80
$51.89
$103.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.4
1
$28.85
$13.19
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.05
$10.99
EV Truck/SUV
109.9
1
$38.47
$17.59
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Airway Heights, WA
Morning
in Airway Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Patchy Smoke
S 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Morning
in Kent on Sunday
Local time
11:43 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
W 1 to 5 mph1% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 11m 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.
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 274.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on the highway, with a 96% highway share. You'll experience a lengthy stretch of 246.4 miles on I 90, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads, including State Route 18 and South Hayford Road, will occur towards the end of your trip. Expect a relatively open road for most of the 5h 11m duration, with the primary change in scenery and traffic density happening as you approach your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near South Hayford Road.
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 17 significant decision points across 274.8 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 1.6 miles (South Hayford Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,483 ft44 ft
Total Climb
1,637 ft
Total Descent
3,993 ft
Highest Point
2,483 ft
~215.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,439 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Airway Heights, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
252.2 mi in|~4h 37m
Tacoma
252.2 mi in|~4h 37m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 274.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246.4 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Kent, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (South Hayford Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kent, WA before the return drive.
