Goldendale, WA to Kent, WA is 211 miles and takes about 4 hours 9 minutes via US 97, I 82, and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region to another Pacific Coast area. The majority of this route is on highways, making it a fairly straightforward drive. It's a good option if you need to get between these two points efficiently, with most of the driving happening on well-traveled roads. Plan for a single day to cover this distance comfortably.
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
105.4 miles from Goldendale, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
133.9 mi
2h 31m
I 82
49.3 mi
54m
State Route 18
15.8 mi
20m
Southeast 272nd Street
2 mi
3m
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
1.8 mi
3m
Evergreen Highway
1.8 mi
2m
East Broadway Street
1 mi
1m
Canyon Drive
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 133.9 mi, about 2h 31m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,424
Quietest
2 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goldendale, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on East Allyn Street
242 ft·12 sec·East Allyn Street
2
Turn right onto South Columbus Avenue
0.2 mi·25 sec·South Columbus Avenue
3
Turn right onto WA 142
1.0 mi·1 min·East Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto US 97
48 mi·56 min·US 97
5
Continue on WA 22
0.7 mi·1 min·South Elm Street
6
Continue on WA 22
0.8 mi·1 min·Buena Way
7
Continue on WA 22
1.8 mi·2 min·Evergreen Highway
8
Continue on WA 22
0.1 mi·11 sec·Buena Road
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
10
Merge onto I 82; US 12
18 mi·20 min·I 82; US 12
11
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
16
Continue on WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi·3 min·Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
20
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·55 sec·Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
23
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Smith Street
24
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
27
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day drive of just over 4 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Goldendale in the morning will allow you to arrive in Kent with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimate of $43, it’s wise to fill up your tank before leaving Goldendale, as gas stations might be less frequent on the longer highway stretches, especially on US 97. There's one recommended stop, so plan that break strategically around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-82 to State Route 18, as this is where the primary highway driving begins to wind down.
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 105.4 miles from Goldendale, WA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.9 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 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 Goldendale, 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 Goldendale, WA
This is one driving day of about 210.9 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Goldendale, 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 US 97 for about 133.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 210.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
102.3 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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
188 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
188.2 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
204.5 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
210.3 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.12 one way
$90.24 round trip
$5.43/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$47.16
$94.32
premium
$5.89
$48.91
$97.83
diesel
$6.28
$52.11
$104.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.3
0
$22.14
$10.12
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.44
EV Truck/SUV
84.4
1
$29.53
$13.50
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Goldendale, WA
Late night
in Goldendale on Friday
Local time
5:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Cloudy
W 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night
in Kent on Friday
Local time
5:03 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Cloudy
0 mph3% 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
17 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 9m 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
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 210.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on one highway is 133.9 miles on US 97. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads towards the end of your trip. Expect mostly consistent speeds until you approach Kent, where traffic and exit density will likely increase.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.9 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 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 12 significant decision points across 210.9 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: at 102.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,087 ft44 ft
Total Climb
3,960 ft
Total Descent
5,552 ft
Highest Point
3,087 ft
~15 mi in
Elevation Range
3,043 ft
Notable High Points
3,087 ft at ~15 miles+1,451 ft prominence
2,077 ft at ~89.7 miles+552 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Goldendale, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 210.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m 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 133.9 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 102.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.2 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Kent, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
