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Trip from Granite Falls, 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

3h 47m

Distance

177.3 mi

285 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 35m ★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m

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

Downtown Granite Falls, WA, WA

Granite Falls, WA

www.kaboompics.com

Trip Overview

Granite Falls to Kent is 177.3 miles and takes about 3h 47m via I 90, US 97, and US 97 Alt, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive begins in the Pacific Coast region of Washington state and concludes in the same region. It's a straightforward trip that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently. Expect a fairly direct journey with minimal detours, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion.

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

88.7 miles from Granite Falls, 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
US 97 Alt 23.5 mi 31m
State Route 18 15.8 mi 20m
US 2 14.8 mi 19m
WA 970 9.9 mi 12m
Navarre Coulee Road 9.1 mi 13m
Southeast 272nd Street 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 60 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Granite Falls, WA and Kent, WA.

1

Start on Lake Street

0.1 mi · 41 sec · Lake Street
2

Turn sharp left onto South Lakeshore Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Lakeshore Road
3

Turn right onto WA 971

9.1 mi · 13 min · Navarre Coulee Road
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 97 Alt

23 mi · 30 min · US 97 Alt
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, Seattle Use 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 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 3h 47m estimated duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. You'll want to factor in the longest stretch of 60 miles on I 90 when planning any brief stops. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Granite Falls, especially since there's only one indicated stop. Pay attention to signage for US 97 Alt, as maintaining your intended path on these interconnected highways is key to staying on schedule.

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 88.7 miles from Granite Falls, 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 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.7 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 2m

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 Granite Falls, 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 Granite Falls, WA

This is one driving day of about 177.3 miles and 3h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Granite Falls, 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.

Downtown Cle Elum, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cle Elum, WA

89 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

Cashmere, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cle Elum, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.7 miles from Granite Falls, 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 60 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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 48.5 and 176.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
48.5 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
154.4 mi into trip | ~3h 12m 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
154.7 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
170.9 mi into trip | ~3h 34m 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
176.8 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

$37.11 one way

$74.21 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $38.92 $77.83
premium $5.77 $40.26 $80.52
diesel $5.61 $39.15 $78.29

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 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 53.2 0 $18.62 $8.51
Efficient EV 44.3 0 $15.51 $7.09
EV Truck/SUV 70.9 0 $24.82 $11.35

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 15, 2026

Origin

Granite Falls, WA

Late night in Granite Falls on Sunday

Local time

5:01 AM

PDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kent, WA

Late night in Kent on Sunday

Local time

5:01 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

24 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 47m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of your journey on major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 60 miles on I 90, providing a solid block of consistent travel. The profile indicates a highway-focused drive, meaning you'll likely encounter well-maintained pavement and steady speeds for most of the trip. While not explicitly detailed, such routes often involve transitions between different types of highways, potentially including sections of US 97 and its alternate.

90% 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 48.5 miles in near US 97 / US 2.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 177.3 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 48.5 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 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.7 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 Granite Falls, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Ellensburg

48.5 mi in | ~1h 7m | via US 97

Seattle

48.5 mi in | ~1h 7m | via US 97

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

154.7 mi in | ~3h 13m

Tacoma

154.7 mi in | ~3h 13m

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 3h 47m. Total distance: 177.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). 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 48.5 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 154.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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