Kent, WA to Anacortes, WA is 95.4 miles and takes about 2h 4m via I 5, I 405, and State Route 20, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip within Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region to the same region. Most of the drive is on major highways, making it a quick and efficient way to get from the Seattle metro area up to the gateway of the San Juan Islands. If you're looking for a simple, direct route with minimal fuss, this is a solid choice for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.7 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
43.4 mi
51m
I 405
26.9 mi
33m
State Route 20
7 mi
9m
Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
7m
Memorial Highway
4 mi
6m
State Route 20 Spur
2.6 mi
3m
R Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
West Division Street
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 43.4 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-405
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,287 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~389 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Kent, WA and Anacortes, WA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·4 sec·2nd Avenue South
2
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·West Gowe Street
3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
0.2 mi·23 sec·4th Avenue South
4
Turn slight right
182 ft·6 sec
5
Turn straight onto WA 516
0.2 mi·32 sec·West Willis Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton
7
Merge onto WA 167
5.9 mi·7 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 North: BellevueUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
17 mi·20 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi·10 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi·2 min·I 405
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
43 mi·51 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward WA 536 West: Kincaid Street
15
Turn left onto WA 536
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Kincaid Street
16
Turn right onto WA 536
0.3 mi·27 sec·South 3rd Street
17
Continue on WA 536
0.8 mi·2 min·West Division Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on WA 536
4.0 mi·6 min·Memorial Highway
19
Take the ramp onto WA 536
0.3 mi·29 sec·WA 536
20
Merge onto WA 20
7.0 mi·9 min·State Route 20
21
Keep slight right at fork onto State Route 20 Spur
2.6 mi·3 min·State Route 20 Spur
Toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
22
Turn right onto R Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·R Avenue
23
Keep slight left at fork onto R Avenue
90 ft·5 sec·R Avenue
24
Keep slight right at fork onto R Avenue
0.4 mi·58 sec·R Avenue
25
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
101 ft·5 sec·R Avenue
26
Continue on R Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·R Avenue
27
Turn left onto 20th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·20th Street
28
Turn right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.5 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
29
Turn left onto WA 20 SPUR
11 ft·0 sec·12th Street
30
Arrive at destination
WA 20 SPUR
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 4 minutes, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving mid-morning, perhaps after the initial rush hour, could provide a smoother experience. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 43.4 miles on I 5, so plan your first break after that if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $21, and it's always wise to top off before heading into more rural stretches, especially as you transition to State Route 20. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your schedule based on traffic or personal preference.
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 47.7 miles from Kent, WA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.7 miles or 1h 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anacortes, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kent, 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 Kent, WA
This is one driving day of about 95.4 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Kent, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 43.4 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 91.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge onto WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
6.9 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North: Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Bellevue
6
24.4 mi into trip|~31m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.7 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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 I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
6
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|State Route 20 Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto State Route 20 Spur toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.14 one way
$42.28 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$22.18
$44.36
premium
$6.08
$22.84
$45.67
diesel
$5.35
$20.09
$40.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.02
$4.58
Efficient EV
23.9
0
$8.35
$3.82
EV Truck/SUV
38.2
0
$13.36
$6.11
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Kent, WA
Afternoon
in Kent on Wednesday
Local time
12:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 3 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 9:52AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Anacortes, WA
Afternoon
in Anacortes on Wednesday
Local time
12:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 6 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 29 at 9:52AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 4m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 19.7
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...
21 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 95.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 90% of the 95.4 miles on major roads like I 5 and I 405. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 43.4 miles on I 5 before transitioning to State Route 20. Expect to see a lot of highway mileage, with the highway portion likely concluding around the time you get onto State Route 20, which will offer a change of pace as you head toward Anacortes.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near WA 167 / Valley Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 95.4 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 1 miles (WA 167 / Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
501 ft5 ft
Total Climb
880 ft
Total Descent
904 ft
Highest Point
501 ft
~40.9 mi in
Elevation Range
496 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 Kent, WA to Anacortes, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.
Anacortes is a city in the northwest region of Washington State. It's the ferry terminal gateway to the San Juan Islands. It is the only city on Fidalgo Island, which is separated from the mainland by the narrow Swinomish Channel. The island also includes the north section of Deception Pass State Park, and the Swinomish Indian Reservation.
Top landmarks
•WT Preston — American steamship
•Wilson Hotel — hotel in Anacortes, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 95.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m 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 43.4 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Anacortes, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (WA 167 / Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and San Juan Island 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 Anacortes, WA before heading back.
