Embark on a straightforward 145.1-mile journey from Union Gap, Washington, to Kent, Washington, which should take approximately 2 hours and 51 minutes. This drive is a solid day trip, ideal for a single day of travel with a fuel cost estimated around $30. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, covering 95% of the route on them, making it a highway-focused experience. The drive is entirely within Washington's Pacific Coast region, offering a consistent travel feel. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
72.5 miles from Union Gap, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
I 82
35.6 mi
39m
State Route 18
15.8 mi
20m
Southeast 272nd Street
2 mi
3m
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
1.8 mi
3m
Canyon Drive
1 mi
1m
Southeast 256th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Gap, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on this road
78 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
69 ft·7 sec
3
Turn right onto East Ahtanum Road
132 ft·7 sec·East Ahtanum Road
4
Turn right onto Main Street
353 ft·8 sec·Main Street
5
Turn slight right
225 ft·8 sec
6
Continue on Rudkin Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·Rudkin Road
7
Enter roundabout onto East Valley Mall Boulevard
9 ft·0 sec·East Valley Mall Boulevard
8
Continue on East Valley Mall Boulevard
460 ft·9 sec·East Valley Mall Boulevard
9
Enter roundabout onto East Valley Mall Boulevard
108 ft·2 sec·East Valley Mall Boulevard
10
Continue on East Valley Mall Boulevard
506 ft·10 sec·East Valley Mall Boulevard
11
Enter roundabout
8 ft·0 sec
12
Continue
0.2 mi·25 sec
13
Merge onto I 82; US 12; US 97
4.6 mi·5 min·I 82; US 12; US 97
14
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
19
Continue on WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi·3 min·Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
23
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·55 sec·Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
26
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Smith Street
27
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
30
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour 51-minute duration and 145.1-mile distance, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Starting your drive in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 85.7-mile stretch on US 97, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $30 is a good budget point to keep in mind. This is a straightforward highway drive, so focus on maintaining a steady pace and enjoying the efficiency of the route.
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 72.5 miles from Union Gap, WA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kent, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Union Gap, 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 Union Gap, WA
This is one driving day of about 145.1 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Union Gap, 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 US 97 for about 85.7 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 36.5 and 144.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
36.5 mi into trip|~41m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
7
122.2 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
122.4 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
7
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covington
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 WA 516: South East 272nd Street, Covingt...
7
144.5 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.37 one way
$60.74 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$31.85
$63.70
premium
$5.77
$32.95
$65.90
diesel
$5.61
$32.04
$64.07
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: 50.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.24
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.70
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.31
$9.29
Gas CO2
51 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
Union Gap, WA
Late night
in Union Gap on Tuesday
Local time
3:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night
in Kent on Tuesday
Local time
3:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
68°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 51m 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.
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 145.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the travel occurring on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of US 97, which forms the longest uninterrupted segment at 85.7 miles, offering a consistent pace. The transition to I-82 and then State Route 18 means you'll experience primarily high-speed driving conditions. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficiency and a steady progression rather than winding scenic byways. It's designed for covering ground effectively.
95% 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: 85.7 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.5 miles in near US 97.
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 145.1 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 36.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 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.
Between Union Gap, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 145.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.7 miles on US 97. 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 Kent, 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 36.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Kent, WA before heading back.
