Traveling from Dollar Corner to Kent covers approximately 145 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes. Since this route is well-suited for a single day, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-5 and the Valley Freeway, making it a straightforward trek through the Pacific Coast region. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should cover your needs for this excursion. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick getaway, the trip is efficient and uncomplicated for most drivers.
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
72.5 miles from Dollar Corner, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
129.8 mi
2h 27m
Northeast 219th Street
5.3 mi
8m
Valley Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
State Route 18
2.4 mi
3m
West Willis Street
0.2 mi
<1m
4th Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
West Gowe Street
0.1 mi
<1m
2nd Avenue South
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 129.8 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dollar Corner, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on WA 502
1.0 mi·1 min·Northeast 219th Street
2
Continue on WA 502
4.3 mi·7 min·Northeast 219th Street
3
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Seattle
4
Merge onto I 5
122 mi·2 hr 17 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
8.2 mi·10 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto WA 18
2.4 mi·3 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, RentonUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto WA 167
4.8 mi·5 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto WA 516
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Willis Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto 4th Avenue South
238 ft·5 sec·4th Avenue South
14
Continue on 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi·31 sec·4th Avenue South
15
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Gowe Street
16
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
17
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the manageable 2-hour and 51-minute duration, but keep in mind that I-5 traffic can fluctuate throughout the day. You only need to build in one stop to stay refreshed during the 145-mile journey. Since your fuel costs will hover around $30, consider filling up before you merge onto the main interstate to avoid potential price hikes at busy highway stations. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to your advantage by checking traffic apps for any congestion on the Valley Freeway before you depart. Being proactive about timing ensures a smooth, predictable arrival in Kent.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Dollar Corner, WA, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.8 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
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 Dollar Corner, 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 Dollar Corner, WA
This is one driving day of about 145 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Dollar Corner, 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 5 for about 129.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.5 and 144.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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.
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
7
138.6 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
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 167 North: Kent, Renton
8
138.8 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Kent, Renton
7
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street
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: Des Moines, Willis Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.35 one way
$60.69 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$31.83
$63.65
premium
$5.77
$32.93
$65.86
diesel
$5.61
$32.01
$64.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.69
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.30
$9.28
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 13, 2026
Origin
Dollar Corner, WA
Evening
in Dollar Corner on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Evening
in Kent on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Light Rain Likely
SSW 7 mph62% 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
1 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
2h 51m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 95% of the journey spent on major roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm for the majority of the trip, highlighted by a 129.8-mile uninterrupted stretch on I-5. The route transitions from local transit on Northeast 219th Street into the high-traffic efficiency of the interstate system. Expect a functional, direct experience behind the wheel rather than a winding backroad adventure. It is a reliable, fast-paced drive that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.8 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Northeast 219th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.5 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort8/10
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 145 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 127.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
174 ft73 ft
Total Climb
101 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
174 ft
~51.8 mi in
Elevation Range
101 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dollar Corner, WA to Kent, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Muckleshoot Reservation along the way.
Muckleshoot Reservation
135.7 mi in|~2h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 145 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.8 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 127.5 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kent, WA before heading back.
