Origin
Ellensburg, WA
Late night in Ellensburg on Sunday
Local time
1:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellensburg, 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
2h 10m
Distance
105.9 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 1m
★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellensburg, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 105.9-mile drive from Ellensburg, WA to Kent, WA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated duration of 2 hours and 10 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-90 and State Route 18, with a small section on West University Way, keeping you on major roads for 91% of the trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transfer between destinations within the Pacific Coast region. You'll find this drive to be efficient and direct, designed for getting you from point A to point B without extensive detours. It's an ideal choice if you're looking for a no-fuss trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 80.1 mi | 1h 28m |
| State Route 18 | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| West University Way | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Southeast 272nd Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Kent Kangley Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Canyon Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| Southeast 256th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 80.1 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellensburg, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on West 5th Avenue
216 ft
·
11 sec
·
West 5th Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto West University Way
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Way
4
Enter roundabout onto US 97
110 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 97
5
Continue on US 97
528 ft
·
14 sec
·
US 97
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 90 West
7
Merge onto I 90
80 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
11
Continue on WA 18
16 mi
·
20 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covington
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
15
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Canyon Drive
18
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Smith Street
19
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
2nd Avenue South
22
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour, 10-minute drive time, this trip from Ellensburg to Kent is perfectly suited for a single day. You won't need to worry about finding overnight accommodations. The 105.9-mile distance means you can be flexible with your departure time, though leaving earlier in the day can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Kent area. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it’s wise to ensure your tank is full before you depart Ellensburg to minimize any need for stops. Keep an eye on the longest stretch of 80.1 miles on I-90; plan your rest or fuel stops before or after this segment.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
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 Ellensburg, 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 Ellensburg, WA
This is one driving day of about 105.9 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Ellensburg, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 80.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.9 miles from Ellensburg, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.1 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Main Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Navigation decision point
7
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
99.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
105.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.16 one way
$44.33 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $23.24 | $46.49 |
| premium | $5.77 | $24.05 | $48.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.38 | $46.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.12 | $5.08 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.83 | $6.78 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night in Kent on Sunday
Local time
1:12 AM
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 10m 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 105.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 105.9-mile journey, with 91% of the route being on major roadways. The bulk of your travel will be on I-90, where you'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 80.1 miles. This means you'll likely experience consistent speeds and a focus on forward momentum rather than varied scenery. As you transition to State Route 18, the character might shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of a direct, highway-centric drive. Prepare for a road that prioritizes efficiency over exploration.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 early in the drive near North Main Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 105.9 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: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 83 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.2 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ellensburg, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma and Covington.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
83.2 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Tacoma
83.2 mi in
|
~1h 35m
Covington
99.5 mi in
|
~1h 57m
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 2h 10m. Total distance: 105.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.1 miles on I 90. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 83 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.2 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kent, WA before heading back.
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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