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Trip from Coulee Dam, WA to Kent, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

228.9 mi

368 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 32m ★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

concrete hydroelectric gravity dam on the Columbia River in Washington, United States

Coulee Dam, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Coulee Dam, WA to Kent, WA is 228.9 miles and takes about 4h 44m via I 90 and Coulee Corridor, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily traverses the Pacific Coast region within Washington state, offering a highway-focused experience. Expect a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single-day trip, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With a reasonable duration and moderate mileage, this journey is manageable for most drivers.

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

114.5 miles from Coulee Dam, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 125.7 mi 2h 17m
Coulee Boulevard 25.1 mi 32m
Coulee Corridor 23 mi 32m
Basin Street Southwest 19.9 mi 26m
State Route 18 15.8 mi 20m
Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway 4.3 mi 6m
WA 28 3.7 mi 5m
Southeast 272nd Street 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 125.7 mi, about 2h 17m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Coulee Dam, WA and Kent, WA.

1

Start on Marina Way

93 ft · 4 sec · Marina Way
2

Continue on Roosevelt Way

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Roosevelt Way
3

Continue on WA 155

0.2 mi · 27 sec · State Highway 155
4

Turn left onto WA 155

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Columbia Avenue
5

Continue on WA 155

0.2 mi · 26 sec · State Route 155
6

Continue on WA 155

1.7 mi · 3 min · Coulee Corridor
7

Continue on WA 155

0.5 mi · 1 min · Midway Avenue
8

Continue on WA 155

257 ft · 7 sec · Midway Avenue
9

Continue on WA 155

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Grand Coulee Avenue
10

Continue on WA 155

25 mi · 32 min · Coulee Boulevard
11

Continue on US 2

4.3 mi · 6 min · Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
12

Turn left onto WA 17

21 mi · 29 min · Coulee Corridor
13

Turn right onto WA 28

3.7 mi · 5 min · WA 28
14

Turn left onto Alder Street Northwest

1.6 mi · 2 min · Alder Street Northwest
15

Continue on Alder Street Southwest

0.4 mi · 56 sec · Alder Street Southwest
16

Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southwest

392 ft · 16 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest
17

Turn left onto WA 28

20 mi · 26 min · Basin Street Southwest
18

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
19

Merge onto I 90

126 mi · 2 hr 17 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

Given the 4h 44m estimated duration, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach your destination before evening. You'll only need about one planned stop for this 228.9-mile drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $48, it's wise to ensure your tank is full before leaving Coulee Dam, as the longest stretch on I 90 is over 125 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spaced out on some sections of the main highways.

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 114.5 miles from Coulee Dam, WA, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.7 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 50 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 114.5 miles or 2h 30m 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 50m

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 Coulee Dam, 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 Coulee Dam, WA

This is one driving day of about 228.9 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Coulee Dam, 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 125.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Cle Elum, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cle Elum, WA

114 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

Soap Lake, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ellensburg, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.5 miles from Coulee Dam, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 228.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | WA 155 / Columbia Avenue

Turn left onto WA 155 / Columbia Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
206.1 mi into trip | ~4h 10m 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
206.3 mi into trip | ~4h 10m 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
222.5 mi into trip | ~4h 32m 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
228.4 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in | East Titus Street

Turn left onto East Titus Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.91 one way

$95.81 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $50.24 $100.48
premium $5.77 $51.98 $103.96
diesel $5.61 $50.54 $101.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.7 0 $24.03 $10.99
Efficient EV 57.2 0 $20.03 $9.16
EV Truck/SUV 91.6 1 $32.05 $14.65

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Coulee Dam, WA

Night in Coulee Dam on Saturday

Local time

9:23 PM

PDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kent, WA

Night in Kent on Saturday

Local time

9:23 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

4 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

4h 44m 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

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 228.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This journey is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 64% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 125.7 miles on I 90, which forms the backbone of this trip. The Coulee Corridor and Coulee Boulevard offer a change of pace before merging onto the interstate. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal complexities, allowing for a steady pace.

64% 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: 125.7 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Coulee Boulevard. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near WA 155 / Columbia Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.9 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (WA 155 / Columbia Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 206.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.3 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 Coulee Dam, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

206.3 mi in | ~4h 10m

Tacoma

206.3 mi in | ~4h 10m

About the Cities

Arriving in Kent, WA

Full guide →

Kent is the fourth largest city in King County in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, between Seattle and Tacoma.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 228.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 125.7 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 0.4 miles (WA 155 / Columbia Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 206.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.3 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Kent, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.

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