Spanning 142.8 miles, this straightforward journey from Kent to Dollar Corner typically takes about 2 hours and 48 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Budget roughly $30 for fuel to cover the trip, which primarily utilizes the I-5 corridor and the Valley Freeway before transitioning to WA-502. Both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Pacific Coast region, ensuring a consistent climate and environment throughout your transit. It is a practical, efficiency-focused route that serves well for commuters or travelers looking to move between these two Washington locations without unnecessary detours.
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
71.4 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
129.4 mi
2h 27m
Valley Freeway
4.4 mi
5m
WA 502
3.7 mi
5m
State Route 18
1.5 mi
1m
West Willis Street
0.4 mi
<1m
4th Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
West Gowe Street
0.1 mi
<1m
2nd Avenue South
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 129.4 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Dollar Corner, 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: AuburnUse 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 WayUse 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, TacomaUse 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, TacomaUse 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
122 mi·2 hr 18 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 11Toward WA 502 East: Battle GroundUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on WA 502
3.7 mi·5 min·WA 502
Use the straight lane.
17
Arrive at destination
WA 502
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 48-minute trip, plan your departure to avoid the heaviest peak-hour congestion commonly found on I-5. You only need to build in one stop to keep your energy up, as the drive is short enough to handle in one go if you are well-rested. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Kent, as the $30 estimate assumes steady highway speeds and efficient travel. Because the route relies so heavily on the interstate, having a navigation app handy will help you stay informed about any unexpected traffic incidents that could impact your travel time. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure window to optimize your time on the road.
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 71.4 miles from Kent, WA, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.4 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 31 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 26m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dollar Corner, 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 142.8 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 129.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 138.7 — 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
6
5.4 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Federal Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 18 West: Federal Way
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
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward WA 502 East: Battle Ground
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward WA 502 East: Battle Ground
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.89 one way
$59.77 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$31.34
$62.69
premium
$5.77
$32.43
$64.86
diesel
$5.61
$31.53
$63.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.99
$6.85
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.50
$5.71
EV Truck/SUV
57.1
0
$19.99
$9.14
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Kent, WA
Evening
in Kent on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dollar Corner, WA
Evening
in Dollar Corner on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 97% of this route is comprised of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on a 129.4-mile stretch of I-5, which defines the personality of this trip as a steady, interstate-heavy experience. While the drive is focused on major thoroughfares, the transition onto WA-502 provides a brief shift in pace as you approach Dollar Corner. Since the road is dominated by high-speed corridors, you can anticipate a consistent flow of traffic rather than technical or winding local roads. It is the type of drive where you can settle into a steady rhythm, keeping your eyes on the road as you navigate the primary artery of the Pacific Northwest.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 12 significant decision points across 142.8 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 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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 Dollar Corner, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Tacoma along the way.
Tacoma
7.9 mi in|~12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 142.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m 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 129.4 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 Dollar Corner, 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 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dollar Corner, WA before heading back.
