Origin
Kent, WA
Late night in Kent on Tuesday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kent, WA to Rochester, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
67 mi
108 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rochester, WA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This straightforward drive from Kent, Washington, to Rochester, Washington, covers 67 miles and is estimated to take about 1 hour and 26 minutes. It's an easy one-day trip, perfect for a quick getaway without needing an overnight stay. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 94% of the journey on major roads like I-5 and US 12, making it an efficient transit. Expect a fuel cost of around $14 for this journey. Both your starting and ending points are within the Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent regional feel throughout your drive.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 52.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| US 12 | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| Valley Freeway | 4.4 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
— 52.6 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent, WA and Rochester, 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
45 mi
·
54 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward US 12 West: Aberdeen, Tenino
16
Turn right onto US 12
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 12
143 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 12
18
Continue on US 12
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
US 12
19
Arrive at destination
US 12
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.5 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 16.6 — 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...
6
16.6 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.02 one way
$28.05 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $14.71 | $29.41 |
| premium | $5.77 | $15.21 | $30.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.79 | $29.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.03 | $3.22 |
| Efficient EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.38 | $4.29 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Rochester, WA
Late night in Rochester on Tuesday
Local time
1:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Lakewood, WA
34 mi in
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
2 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
1h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be spending most of your time on the interstate, as 94% of this route is highway driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 52.6 miles on I-5, offering a solid period of consistent travel. This highway-focused profile means you can expect a relatively smooth and predictable drive, with fewer turns and slower local roads. The journey is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to cover ground quickly.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.6 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and US 12. 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 Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67 miles you will encounter 14 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kent, WA and Rochester, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Tenino.
Tacoma
7.9 mi in
|
~12m
Tenino
62 mi in
|
~1h 18m
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 26m. Total distance: 67 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.6 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 Rochester, 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 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 — 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 Rochester, 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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