Traveling from Chelan to Kent covers 178.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes of driving time. Because the entire journey stays within Washington state, you will remain in the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the trip. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to remain manageable. Budgeting approximately $37 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. By utilizing a mix of West Woodin Avenue, US 97, and I-90, you get a direct path that balances local navigation with major highway travel. It is a straightforward drive that functions well for those looking to reach the Kent area efficiently without unnecessary detours.
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
89.1 miles from Chelan, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
60 mi
1h 6m
US 97
35.3 mi
44m
West Woodin Avenue
33.1 mi
45m
State Route 18
15.8 mi
20m
US 2
14.8 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 Chelan, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on WA 150
419 ft·10 sec·East Johnson Avenue
2
Turn right onto WA 150
0.3 mi·42 sec·North Saunders Street
3
Continue on US 97 Alt
0.5 mi·1 min·Webster Avenue
4
Continue on US 97 Alt
33 mi·45 min·West Woodin Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto US 97 Alt
117 ft·1 sec·US 97 Alt
6
Continue on US 97 Alt
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 97 Alt
7
Take the exit onto US 97 Alt
0.5 mi·50 sec·US 97 Alt
8
Merge onto US 2; US 97
0.3 mi·30 sec·US 2; US 97
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, SeattleUse 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 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse 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, CovingtonUse 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
Plan to complete this trip in one day to take advantage of the flexible 3 hour and 48 minute duration. Since there is only one recommended stop along the way, try to time your break to coincide with the transition from US 97 to I-90 to maximize your momentum. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 60-mile stretch on the interstate, as service intervals can vary. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid any potential congestion as you approach the Kent area. Use the simplicity of this 178.1-mile route to your advantage by keeping a light travel schedule, allowing you to arrive at your destination refreshed rather than drained.
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 89.1 miles from Chelan, WA, or about 1h 58m 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 39 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.1 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 3m
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 Chelan, 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 Chelan, WA
This is one driving day of about 178.1 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Chelan, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.3 and 177.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
155.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
155.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
171.7 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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
177.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.27 one way
$74.55 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$39.09
$78.18
premium
$5.77
$40.44
$80.89
diesel
$5.61
$39.32
$78.64
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: 62.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.4
0
$18.70
$8.55
Efficient EV
44.5
0
$15.58
$7.12
EV Truck/SUV
71.2
0
$24.93
$11.40
Gas CO2
62 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Chelan, WA
Late night
in Chelan on Sunday
Local time
12:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night
in Kent on Sunday
Local time
12:56 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
19 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 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 178.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 77% of this drive is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate through a variety of road types, transitioning from local streets like West Woodin Avenue to the high-capacity flow of I-90. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 60-mile segment on I-90, which allows for consistent cruising speed. While the road personality shifts as you move from the Chelan area toward the interstate, the overall feel is efficient and transit-oriented. This combination of highway and local road segments keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly technical or exhausting.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 49.3 miles in near US 97 / US 2.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 178.1 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 49.3 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 155.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.5 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 Chelan, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 178.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60 miles on I 90. 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 49.3 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 155.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.5 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kent, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
