Kent, WA to Palouse, WA is 285.9 miles and takes about 5h 58m via WA 26, I-90, and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels across Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region into a more interior landscape. It's a straightforward drive that covers a good amount of ground, making it a solid choice for a single-day trip. If you're looking for a direct path across the state with minimal fuss, this is a practical option.
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
143 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 26
129.1 mi
2h 44m
I 90
111.9 mi
2h 2m
State Route 18
15.7 mi
20m
Clear Creek Road
8.6 mi
12m
State Route 272
4.8 mi
8m
Colfax Airport Road
3 mi
4m
State Highway 27
2.8 mi
3m
Southeast 272nd Street
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 129.1 mi, about 2h 44m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,181
Quietest
2 AM
~104 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Palouse, WA.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·7 sec·2nd Avenue South
2
Turn left onto West Gowe Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·West Gowe Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on East Titus Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Titus Street
4
Turn right onto WA 516
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Smith Street
5
Continue on WA 516
0.9 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
6
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·50 sec·Southeast 256th Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 516
1.9 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
8
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·13 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on WA 516
2.1 mi·4 min·Southeast 272nd Street
10
Turn left
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward WA 18 East: North BendUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
14
Merge onto I 90
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
16
Turn straight onto WA 26
129 mi·2 hr 44 min·WA 26
17
Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road
3.0 mi·4 min·Colfax Airport Road
18
At end of road, turn left onto West Almota Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Almota Road
19
Continue on West Fairview Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Fairview Street
20
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Main Street
21
Continue on South Main Street
104 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
22
Continue on US 195
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto WA 272
0.6 mi·1 min·East Canyon Street
24
Continue on WA 272
4.8 mi·8 min·State Route 272
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Clear Creek Road
8.6 mi·12 min·Clear Creek Road
26
At end of road, turn left onto WA 27
2.8 mi·3 min·State Highway 27
27
Continue on WA 27
0.5 mi·1 min·West Almota Road
28
Turn right onto WA 272
273 ft·10 sec·East Main Street
29
Turn left onto North Beach Street
134 ft·5 sec·North Beach Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Beach Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under six hours, this is easily a one-day trip, giving you flexibility on your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. The longest stretch without a significant change in highway is 129.1 miles on WA 26, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you hit that segment. While the route is mostly highway, keep an eye out for the transition points where you'll move onto surface roads as you near Palouse. Given the estimated fuel cost of $60, it's wise to fill up before departing Kent.
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 143 miles from Kent, WA, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.1 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palouse, 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 285.9 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 WA 26 for about 129.1 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 134.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Gowe Street
Turn left onto West Gowe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
6.1 mi into trip|~12m in
Turn left toward WA 18 East: North Bend
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward WA 18 East: North Bend
5
6.5 mi into trip|~13m in|WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
22.9 mi into trip|~35m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
134.8 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.75 one way
$121.50 round trip
$5.40/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$63.90
$127.80
premium
$5.93
$66.73
$133.45
diesel
$7.32
$82.34
$164.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.8
1
$30.02
$13.72
Efficient EV
71.5
0
$25.02
$11.44
EV Truck/SUV
114.4
1
$40.03
$18.30
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Kent, WA
Afternoon
in Kent on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
NE 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Palouse, WA
Afternoon
in Palouse on Sunday
Local time
3:30 PM
PDT
Current temp
36°F
Areas Of Frost
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 58m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 92% of the 285.9 miles taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a long stretch of 129.1 miles on WA 26, which is a significant portion of the trip. Expect relatively uninterrupted driving for much of the way, with the transition to more rural roads occurring later in the drive. The highway focus means you'll encounter fewer turns and generally higher speed limits for most of the 5h 58m duration.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.1 mi on WA 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Gowe Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 285.9 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: near the start (West Gowe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
2,461 ft44 ft
Total Climb
5,369 ft
Total Descent
2,982 ft
Highest Point
2,461 ft
~122.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,417 ft
Notable High Points
2,454 ft at ~61.3 miles+547 ft prominence
2,461 ft at ~122.5 miles+901 ft prominence
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 Palouse, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 285.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.1 miles on WA 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Palouse, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Gowe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (WA 18 / State Route 18): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palouse, WA before the return drive.
