If you are planning a trip from West Pasco to Kent, expect a 209.9-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 38 minutes behind the wheel. This route functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, as the distance is manageable for most drivers without requiring an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Navigating this path involves transitioning through the Pacific Coast region, keeping you within the state of Washington for the duration of the trip. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, plan for a more active experience than a standard interstate commute.
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
110.8 miles from West Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
State Route 18
15.8 mi
20m
I 182
8.3 mi
8m
Southeast 272nd Street
2 mi
3m
Southeast Kent Kangley Road
1.8 mi
3m
Road 68
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Pasco, WA and Kent, WA.
1
Start on Pearl Street
0.1 mi·50 sec·Pearl Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto Road 72
0.2 mi·46 sec·Road 72
3
Turn right onto West Wernett Road
0.3 mi·50 sec·West Wernett Road
4
Turn left onto Road 68
1.2 mi·2 min·Road 68
5
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 182 West, US 12 West: Richland, YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 182; US 12
8.3 mi·8 min·I 182; US 12
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
8
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
9
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.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Continue on WA 18
16 mi·20 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward WA 516: South East 272nd Street, CovingtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto WA 516
2.0 mi·3 min·Southeast 272nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Continue on WA 516
0.2 mi·16 sec·Southeast Kent-Kangley Road
17
Continue on WA 516
1.8 mi·3 min·Southeast Kent Kangley Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on WA 516
0.4 mi·55 sec·Southeast 256th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on WA 516
1.0 mi·1 min·Canyon Drive
20
Continue on WA 516
0.1 mi·20 sec·East Smith Street
21
Turn left onto East Titus Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·East Titus Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on East Gowe Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·East Gowe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South
10 ft·0 sec·2nd Avenue South
24
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue South
Trip Plan
Given the technical nature of these local roads, you should aim to depart during daylight hours to maintain better visibility on the turns. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and reset before tackling the remaining segments of the 209.9-mile trip. Fueling up before you leave West Pasco is a smart move, though you should keep that $44 budget in mind as you monitor your consumption. Because the route relies heavily on local roads like Road 68 and Road 72, check your navigation frequently to ensure you stay on the correct path through the turns. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break from the constant steering.
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 110.8 miles from West Pasco, WA, or about 2h 3m 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.8 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
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 West Pasco, 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 West Pasco, WA
This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from West Pasco, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.1 and 221.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
113.1 mi into trip|~2h 6m 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
198.8 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
199 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
215.3 mi into trip|~4h 3m 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
221.1 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|East Titus Street
Turn left onto East Titus Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.40 one way
$92.80 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$48.66
$97.32
premium
$5.77
$50.35
$100.69
diesel
$5.61
$48.95
$97.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
Efficient EV
55.4
0
$19.40
$8.87
EV Truck/SUV
88.7
1
$31.04
$14.19
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
West Pasco, WA
Late night
in West Pasco on Tuesday
Local time
5:04 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kent, WA
Late night
in Kent on Tuesday
Local time
5:04 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 16m 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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 221.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Forget the monotony of high-speed interstates; this drive is defined by its turn-heavy local character. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads like Road 72, West Wernett Road, and Road 68 rather than cruising on major freeways. The road demands your full attention, as the technical nature of these smaller thoroughfares keeps you engaged throughout the 3-hour and 38-minute duration. Expect a consistent, hands-on driving experience that changes significantly from the feel of a wide-open highway. This is a deliberate, local-focused trip that prioritizes secondary routes over speed.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.1 miles in near US 97.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 221.7 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 113.1 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 199 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 West Pasco, WA and Kent, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m 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 85.7 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 113.1 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 199 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Kent, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
