How far is Kent, WA from Kelso, WA?
The driving distance from Kent, WA to Kelso, WA is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91 miles (146.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kent and Kelso.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent and Kelso.
-
1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
3 m · 4 sec · 2nd Avenue South
-
2
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
643 ft · 25 sec · West Gowe Street
-
3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
829 ft · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South
-
4
Turn slight right
56 m · 7 sec
-
5
Turn straight onto West Willis Street
1972 ft · 53 sec · West Willis Street
-
6
Turn left onto WA 167 South: Auburn
1623 ft · 44 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Valley Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Federal Way
1.6 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Route 18
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
2980 ft · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
3094 ft · 1 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1297 ft · 32 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
14
Keep slight right
93.1 mi · 1 hr 47 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward North Kelso Avenue
1596 ft · 39 sec
-
16
Turn right onto North Kelso Avenue
3274 ft · 2 min · North Kelso Avenue
-
17
Continue on North Pacific Avenue
900 ft · 32 sec · North Pacific Avenue
-
18
Turn left onto Cowlitz Way
532 ft · 16 sec · Cowlitz Way
-
19
Turn left onto North 4th Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · North 4th Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 4th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kent and Kelso.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 South
Keep slight right
93.1 mi · 01h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Kent and Mostly Sunny near Kelso.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kent to Kelso?
The road trip is about 110.9 miles (178.5 km) and usually takes 02h 14m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Tenino is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.4 miles from Kent and 55.5 miles from Kelso.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91 miles (146.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:02 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.51 one way or $41.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kent and Mostly Sunny near Kelso.
Stop Ideas Near Tenino
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Lacey - City Hall Parking
Olympia City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tenino.
Centennial Station
Centralia station
Tacoma Dome Station
Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kent and Kelso. Straight-line distance: 91.04 mi (146.51 km).
#1 Kent
The fourth most populous city in King County, Washington.
| Population | 130,676 |
| Coordinates | 47.3809300, -122.2348400 |
| Altitude | 13 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kelso
Town and parish in Scottish Borders, Scotland
| Population | 12,438 |
| Coordinates | 46.1467800, -122.9084400 |
| Altitude | 23 |
| Country | United States |
End: Kelso (-122.90844, 46.14678)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 179 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $20.51 | $41.03 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $21.82 | $43.65 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $22.62 | $45.24 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $21.43 | $42.86 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Washington · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.