Origin
Kent, WA
Night in Kent on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, WA to Carson, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
195.7 mi
315 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 8m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carson, WA
William Jacobs
Trip Overview
This 195.7-mile journey from Kent, WA to Carson, WA is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 1 minute of driving time. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with 76% of the drive on interstates, making it a straightforward passage across the Pacific Coast region. With a projected fuel cost of $41, this drive is an economical option for a quick getaway. It's designed for a single day, so you won't need to worry about booking overnight stays if you're looking for efficiency.
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
97.8 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 133.4 mi | 2h 31m |
| Evergreen Highway | 22.3 mi | 31m |
| Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| I 205 | 10.1 mi | 13m |
| Lewis and Clark Highway | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Valley Freeway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail Highway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| State Route 18 | 1.5 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 Carson, 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
10 mi
·
13 min
·
I 205
Toward I 205 South: Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 27
Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 14 East: Camas
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto WA 14
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on WA 14
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
85 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lewis and Clark Highway
21
Continue on WA 14
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lewis and Clark Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
102 ft
·
1 sec
·
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
23
Continue on WA 14
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
24
Continue on WA 14
22 mi
·
31 min
·
Evergreen Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on WA 14
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on WA 14
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
27
Enter roundabout onto Wind River Road
196 ft
·
8 sec
·
Wind River Road
Toward Carson
28
Continue on Wind River Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Wind River Road
Toward Carson
29
Turn right onto Hot Springs Avenue
270 ft
·
9 sec
·
Hot Springs Avenue
30
Turn right onto 1st Street
196 ft
·
8 sec
·
1st Street
31
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Kent to bypass potential traffic. While it's a single-day trip, plan for one stop to break up the longest stretch of 133.4 miles on I-5. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the smaller highways towards Carson, as services might become less frequent. The $41 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your travel expenses.
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 97.8 miles from Kent, WA, or about 1h 56m 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.8 miles or 1h 56m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carson, 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 195.7 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.8 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 7.9 and 152.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
152.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
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 27
Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
7
152.9 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 14 East: Camas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WA 14 East: Camas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.96 one way
$81.92 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $42.95 | $85.91 |
| premium | $5.77 | $44.44 | $88.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.21 | $86.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.55 | $9.39 |
| Efficient EV | 48.9 | 0 | $17.12 | $7.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.3 | 0 | $27.40 | $12.52 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Carson, WA
Night in Carson on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Ridgefield, WA
98 mi in
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
9 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
4h 1m 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
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this route, with a significant 76% spent on interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 133.4 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to Evergreen Highway and then Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, the character may shift, but the predominant feel is one of steady progress on well-maintained roads, keeping you moving efficiently toward your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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 Evergreen Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 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 20 significant decision points across 195.7 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 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; at 142.7 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Kent, WA to Carson, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center along the way.
City Center
152.8 mi in
|
~2h 59m
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 4h 1m. Total distance: 195.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). 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.
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 Carson, 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 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; at 142.7 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Carson, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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