Kent, WA to Waitsburg, WA is 280.6 miles and takes about 5h 36m via I-90, I-82, and US-97, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards the interior. With 96% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive focused on covering distance efficiently. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for a relaxed departure or arrival.
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
140.3 miles from Kent, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
84.5 mi
1h 33m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
State Route 124
35.5 mi
52m
US 12
23.2 mi
25m
State Route 18
15.7 mi
20m
State Highway 124
7.7 mi
11m
Lewis and Clark Trail
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,424
Quietest
2 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
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 Waitsburg, 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
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
17
Take the exit onto US 12
23 mi·25 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, PascoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 12
3.0 mi·3 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
20
Turn slight right onto WA 124
13 ft·0 sec·State Route 124
21
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 124
36 mi·52 min·State Route 124
22
Continue on WA 124
0.8 mi·1 min·West Second Street
23
Continue on WA 124
7.7 mi·11 min·State Highway 124
24
Continue on WA 124
0.4 mi·40 sec·West 2nd Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto WA 124
143 ft·7 sec·Main Street
26
Turn left onto WA 124
434 ft·12 sec·Preston Avenue
27
Turn left onto Coppei Avenue
107 ft·4 sec·Coppei Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
Coppei Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 36m estimated drive time, leaving Kent, WA anytime in the morning should get you to Waitsburg well before dark. While it's a single-day trip, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel, especially since the longest continuous stretch is 84.5 miles on I-90. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Waitsburg, as services can become less frequent in rural areas. This route is efficient, so you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 140.3 miles from Kent, WA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 62 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.3 miles or 2h 45m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waitsburg, 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 280.6 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 90 for about 84.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 209.5 — 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.
7
107.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
8
209.5 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
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 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.08 one way
$118.16 round trip
$5.35/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.56
$61.38
$122.76
premium
$5.76
$63.59
$127.18
diesel
$5.60
$61.85
$123.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.2
1
$29.46
$13.47
Efficient EV
70.2
0
$24.55
$11.22
EV Truck/SUV
112.2
1
$39.28
$17.96
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 Sep 5, 2026
Origin
Kent, WA
Evening
in Kent on Saturday
Local time
6:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
ENE 3 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waitsburg, WA
Evening
in Waitsburg on Saturday
Local time
6:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 0 to 3 mph38% 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
21 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
5h 36m 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 almost entirely highway, with 96% of the 280.6 miles spent on major interstates and US routes. You'll encounter a long stretch of 84.5 miles on I-90, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to any surface roads would occur very late in the trip, likely in the final few miles towards Waitsburg.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 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 15 significant decision points across 280.6 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: 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,396 ft44 ft
Total Climb
3,606 ft
Total Descent
2,394 ft
Highest Point
2,396 ft
~60.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,352 ft
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 Waitsburg, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 280.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Waitsburg, 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 14 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waitsburg, WA before the return drive.
