How far is Kent, WA from La Center, WA?

The driving distance from Kent, WA to La Center, WA is about 136.1 miles (219.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.9 miles (172.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
136.17 mi
02h 41m
Flight
106.94 mi
172.1 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kent.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
106.94 mi
Kilometers
172.1 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.17 mi
Kilometers
219.14 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in La Center
Thu, Apr 23, 7:25 AM PDT
Return by in Kent
Thu, Apr 23, 10:07 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kent
2026-04-23T04:43
Arrive La Center
Thu, Apr 23, 7:25 AM PDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 PM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kent
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Fords Prairie
WA

Census designated place

From Kent
68 mi
01h 20m
To La Center
68.1 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NW
Destination
65°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kent and La Center.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kent and La Center.

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue South

    3 m · 4 sec · 2nd Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Gowe Street

    643 ft · 25 sec · West Gowe Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 4th Avenue South

    829 ft · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South

  4. 4

    Turn slight right

    56 m · 7 sec

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto West Willis Street

    1972 ft · 53 sec · West Willis Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto WA 167 South: Auburn

    1623 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

    4.4 mi · 6 min · Valley Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Federal Way

    1.6 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    1.5 mi · 2 min · State Route 18

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma

    2980 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma

    3094 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma

    1297 ft · 32 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    117.1 mi · 2 hr 13 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward La Center, Cowlitz Reservation

    1508 ft · 37 sec

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Northwest 319th Street

    88 m · 6 sec · Northwest 319th Street

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 319th Street

    144 m · 12 sec · Northwest 319th Street

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Northwest La Center Road

    47 m · 3 sec · Northwest La Center Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Northwest La Center Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Northwest La Center Road

  20. 20

    Continue on Northwest Pacific Highway

    619 ft · 21 sec · Northwest Pacific Highway

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West 4th Street

    7 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto West 4th Street

    159 m · 20 sec · West 4th Street

  23. 23

    Turn right

    18 m · 4 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kent and La Center.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
3 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
125 mi · 92%
Valley Freeway
4.44 mi · 3%
Northwest La Center Road
1.8 mi · 1%
State Route 18
1.53 mi · 1%
WA 18 West
0.98 mi · 1%
I 5
0.56 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Keep slight right

117 mi · 02h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.2 mi
106.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fords Prairie
01h 20m from Kent
Leave By
1:06 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Kent and Mostly Sunny near La Center.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kent to La Center?

The road trip is about 136.1 miles (219.1 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Fords Prairie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68 miles from Kent and 68.1 miles from La Center.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 106.9 miles (172.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 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 1:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.17 one way or $50.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kent and Mostly Sunny near La Center.

Stop Ideas Near Fords Prairie

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Fords Prairie, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fords Prairie.

RAIL

Centralia station

3 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

32 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center

66 mi away
501 South First Street
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

71 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kent and La Center. Straight-line distance: 106.94 mi (172.1 km).

Kent

#1 Kent

The fourth most populous city in King County, Washington.

Population130,676
Coordinates47.3809300, -122.2348400
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
La Center

#2 La Center

City in Ballard County, Kentucky, United States of America

Population3,602
Coordinates45.8623400, -122.6703800
Altitude32
CountryUnited States
Start: Kent (-122.23484, 47.38093)
End: La Center (-122.67038, 45.86234)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 219 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.81 gal
18.19 L · about $25.17
Round trip
$50.34
9.62 gal · 36.38 L
Estimated CO2
42.7 kg one way
Round trip: 85.5 kg / 188 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $25.17 $50.34
Mid-grade $5.57 $26.78 $53.55
Premium $5.77 $27.76 $55.52
Diesel $5.47 $26.30 $52.59

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

There is no time difference between Kent and La Center. The current time is 04:43:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.