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Trip from Kent, WA to Barberton, 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 55m

Distance

148.3 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 44m ★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m

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

Downtown Barberton, WA, WA

Barberton, WA

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

Kent, WA to Barberton, WA is 148.3 miles and takes about 2h 55m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Pacific Coast region, entirely within Washington state. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that makes for a convenient same-day trip. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently, with minimal fuss.

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

74.2 miles from Kent, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 133.4 mi 2h 31m
Valley Freeway 4.4 mi 5m
I 205 4.2 mi 5m
State Route 18 1.5 mi 1m
Northeast Andresen Road 0.5 mi <1m
West Willis Street 0.4 mi <1m
Northeast 72nd Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Northeast Padden Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 133.4 mi, about 2h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Barberton, 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

0.4 mi · 53 sec · West Willis Street
6

Turn left

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto WA 167

4.4 mi · 5 min · Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward WA 18 West: Federal Way Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto WA 18

1.5 mi · 1 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma Use the straight lane.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
13

Merge onto I 5

7.2 mi · 9 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

126 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 205

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 205
Toward I 205 South: Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 32 Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn right onto Northeast Padden Parkway

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the right lane.
18

Turn right onto Northeast Andresen Road

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Northeast Andresen Road
Use the right lane.
19

Continue on Northeast 72nd Avenue

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Northeast 72nd Avenue
20

Turn right onto Northeast 99th Street

86 ft · 2 sec · Northeast 99th Street
21

Arrive at destination

Northeast 99th Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this is an ideal same-day trip, offering flexibility in departure time. You can plan to leave in the morning and arrive well before evening. The longest stretch is over 133 miles, so consider a brief stop for fuel or a stretch break around the halfway point, though you'll only have one designated stop on this route. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you approach the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 5.

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 74.2 miles from Kent, WA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.4 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 33 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 74.2 miles or 1h 29m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barberton, 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 148.3 miles and 2h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Kent, 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 133.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Lewis County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centralia, WA

74 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

Lakewood, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.2 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.4 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 147 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in

Turn left toward WA 167 South: Auburn

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
7
7.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma

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: Seattle, Tacoma
8
8.5 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
7
142.7 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in | I 205

Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
147 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Take the exit toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road

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 32 Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.04 one way

$62.08 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $32.55 $65.10
premium $5.77 $33.68 $67.35
diesel $5.61 $32.74 $65.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.5 0 $15.57 $7.12
Efficient EV 37.1 0 $12.98 $5.93
EV Truck/SUV 59.3 0 $20.76 $9.49

Gas CO2

52 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 16, 2026

Origin

Kent, WA

Night in Kent on Saturday

Local time

9:22 PM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Barberton, WA

Night in Barberton on Saturday

Local time

9:22 PM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Mostly Sunny

WSW 6 mph 7% chance 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

8 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 55m 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

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
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey on main roads like I 5 and Valley Freeway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent driving, including a continuous 133.4 miles on I 5. The character is largely that of a steady interstate cruise, designed for covering distance effectively. While the profile is highway-centric, the change in scenery will be gradual as you progress through the landscape.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.4 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Valley Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.

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 16 significant decision points across 148.3 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 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.

On the drive from Kent, WA to Barberton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Tacoma along the way.

Tacoma

7.9 mi in | ~12m

About the Cities

Starting 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 55m. Total distance: 148.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 133.4 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 Barberton, 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.5 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 Barberton, 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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Explore more options from Kent, WA or browse trips ending in Barberton, WA.

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