Spanning 205.6 miles across Washington, this trip from Benton City to Kent is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 57 minutes. Because the route is highway-focused, it is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $43 on fuel, making it a relatively affordable excursion. By utilizing I-82, US 97, and State Route 18, you will transition efficiently between these two Pacific Coast region locations. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this path provides a reliable link across the state.
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
102.8 miles from Benton City, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
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
Southeast 272nd Street
2 mi
3m
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
1.8 mi
3m
Canyon Drive
1 mi
1m
Babs Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Southeast 256th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 82
— 95.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton City, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on WA 225
0.4 mi·57 sec·9th Street
2
Continue on WA 225
0.5 mi·1 min·Babs Avenue
3
Turn straight onto WA 225
0.4 mi·52 sec·1st Street
4
Enter roundabout
29 ft·0 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·19 sec
6
Merge onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 82; US 12
7
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
12
Continue on WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi·3 min·Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
16
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·55 sec·Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
19
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Smith Street
20
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
23
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of just under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for at least one dedicated stop is a smart way to break up the 205.6-mile trek and keep your energy levels consistent behind the wheel. Given the reliance on major corridors like I-82, try to avoid peak commuter hours to ensure you maintain your estimated arrival time. Make sure to monitor your fuel gauge before you commit to the longest 95.4-mile stretch of the interstate. Use your single planned stop to check traffic conditions on State Route 18, as this segment can be a critical point for congestion as you approach the Kent area.
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 102.8 miles from Benton City, WA, or about 1h 53m 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 45 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 1h 53m 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 6m
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 Benton City, 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 Benton City, WA
This is one driving day of about 205.6 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Benton City, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 97 and 205.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
97 mi into trip|~1h 47m 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
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
183 mi into trip|~3h 23m 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
199.2 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
205.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.03 one way
$86.06 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$45.13
$90.25
premium
$5.77
$46.69
$93.38
diesel
$5.61
$45.39
$90.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.59
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.78
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Benton City, WA
Night
in Benton City on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Night
in Kent on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
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
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
3h 57m 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.
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 205.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of the journey spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, fast-paced driving experience. The route features a significant 95.4-mile stretch along I-82, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. While the drive is heavily focused on major thoroughfares, the transition from interstate travel to the segments on US 97 and State Route 18 keeps the journey from feeling entirely monotonous. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining highway speeds, so ensure your vehicle is prepared for a steady, high-speed trek. Expect a functional road environment that prioritizes efficiency and direct travel over winding secondary roads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.4 mi on I 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 97 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 10 significant decision points across 205.6 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 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Benton City, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 205.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m 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 95.4 miles on I 82. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Kent, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
