Spanning 148.6 miles, this journey from Kent to Five Corners takes approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best approached as a focused one-day trip. Budgeting around $31 for fuel will cover your transit across the Pacific Coast region. You will navigate primarily via West Gowe Street, 4th Avenue South, and West Willis Street to reach your destination. While the drive is straightforward enough to tackle in a single stretch, the turn-heavy nature of the path means you should prepare for a hands-on experience behind the wheel.
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
74.3 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 Padden Parkway
1.1 mi
1m
West Willis Street
0.4 mi
<1m
4th Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
Northeast 94th Avenue
0.1 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 Five Corners, 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
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: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 32Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Northeast Padden Parkway
1.1 mi·1 min·Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto Northeast 94th Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·Northeast 94th Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Northeast 86th Street
252 ft·16 sec·Northeast 86th Street
20
Turn left
57 ft·4 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 55 minute duration, planning for at least one stop is a smart way to break up the technical driving. Leaving early in the day will help you avoid the congestion often found on local thoroughfares, making your arrival in Five Corners much smoother. Since this route is not a highway-based trip, stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions along West Gowe Street and West Willis Street. Keep your $31 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a stop-and-go environment. The primary advantage of this trip is its flexibility, so don't hesitate to pull over for a break whenever you feel the need to reset.
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 74.3 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 74.3 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Five Corners, 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 148.6 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
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
$31.10 one way
$62.20 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$32.62
$65.23
premium
$5.77
$33.75
$67.49
diesel
$5.61
$32.81
$65.62
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: 52 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
44.6
0
$15.60
$7.13
Efficient EV
37.2
0
$13.00
$5.94
EV Truck/SUV
59.4
0
$20.80
$9.51
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 20, 2026
Origin
Kent, WA
Late night
in Kent on Tuesday
Local time
1:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Five Corners, WA
Late night
in Five Corners on Tuesday
Local time
1:08 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°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
1 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
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 technical and engaging experience, as this route is entirely comprised of local roads with zero highway miles. You will be dealing with a turn-heavy environment that requires your full attention, moving away from the typical monotonous interstate commute. Because the path relies on surface streets rather than high-speed corridors, your pace will be dictated by local traffic patterns and intersections. This configuration keeps you moving through the landscape without the long, uninterrupted stretches found on major freeways. It is an ideal choice if you prefer a more interactive drive over the passive experience of highway cruising.
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 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 17 significant decision points across 148.6 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 Five Corners, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Tacoma along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 148.6 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 Five Corners, 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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Five Corners, WA before heading back.
