Origin
Kent, WA
Morning in Kent on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, WA to Clear Lake, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
87 mi
140 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clear Lake, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
This 87-mile drive from Kent, WA to Clear Lake, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. You'll primarily be on major freeways, including I-5 and I-405, with a short section on the Valley Freeway, making it a highly accessible journey. The fuel cost is estimated at $18, which is quite reasonable for this distance. Given its highway-focused profile and relatively short duration, this route offers a straightforward way to travel between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. It's a practical option for those looking for an efficient drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 44.7 mi | 52m |
| I 405 | 26.9 mi | 33m |
| Valley Freeway | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| East College Way | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| State Route 9 | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| West Willis Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Gowe Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 44.7 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Clear Lake, 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: Bellevue
Use 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 Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
45 mi
·
52 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward WA 538 East: College Way
15
Turn right onto East College Way
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
East College Way
Use the right lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto WA 9
183 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Route 9
17
Continue on WA 9
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 9
18
Turn right onto Lake Street
181 ft
·
13 sec
·
Lake Street
19
Turn left
25 ft
·
1 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 53 minute drive, flexibility is key. You can depart at any time without feeling rushed. With no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-5, and consider filling up before you leave Kent if you prefer a full tank. The estimated fuel cost of $18 is minimal, so budget accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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 43.5 miles from Kent, WA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 55m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear Lake, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Kent, WA
This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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 44.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.5 miles from Kent, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 34.7 — 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
5
7.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.21 one way
$36.42 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $19.10 | $38.19 |
| premium | $5.77 | $19.76 | $39.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.21 | $38.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.13 | $4.18 |
| Efficient EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.61 | $3.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.18 | $5.57 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Clear Lake, WA
Morning in Clear Lake on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°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
18 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
1h 53m 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.
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
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 18
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 experience for 93% of this 87-mile journey. Much of your time will be spent on I-5, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 44.7 miles. The drive is characterized by its freeway nature, allowing for consistent speeds. While the main roads are interstates, the overall profile suggests a smooth and direct trip, without significant detours onto slower, more scenic byways. The route is designed for efficiency, keeping you moving along.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.7 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 7.7 miles (I 405): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Clear Lake, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.
Vancouver British Columbia
34.7 mi in
|
~44m
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 1h 53m. Total distance: 87 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.7 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 Clear Lake, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 7.7 miles (I 405): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clear Lake, 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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