How far is Kent, WA from Mercer Island, WA?
The driving distance from Kent, WA to Mercer Island, WA is about 18.9 miles (30.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.1 miles (21.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The second most populous city in King County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Kent and Mercer Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kent and Mercer Island.
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1
Start on 2nd Avenue South
3 m · 4 sec · 2nd Avenue South
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2
Turn right onto West Gowe Street
643 ft · 25 sec · West Gowe Street
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3
Turn left onto 4th Avenue South
829 ft · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South
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4
Turn slight right
56 m · 7 sec
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5
Turn straight onto West Willis Street
1273 ft · 32 sec · West Willis Street
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6
Take the ramp right toward WA 167 North: Renton
2343 ft · 46 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Valley Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 North: Bellevue
1.3 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
7.7 mi · 10 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
1281 ft · 31 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Seattle
3035 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 West: Seattle, Mercer Island
2260 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left
2593 ft · 37 sec
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14
Take the exit slight right toward East Mercer Way
1561 ft · 46 sec
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15
Turn left onto East Mercer Way
101 m · 11 sec · East Mercer Way
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16
Turn sharp right onto Southeast 36th Street
2214 ft · 1 min · Southeast 36th Street
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17
Continue on Gallagher Hill Road
1478 ft · 43 sec · Gallagher Hill Road
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18
Turn right onto Southeast 40th Street
1344 ft · 46 sec · Southeast 40th Street
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19
Turn left onto 86th Avenue Southeast
1325 ft · 53 sec · 86th Avenue Southeast
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20
Turn left onto Southeast 42nd Street
539 ft · 24 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southeast 42nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Kent and Mercer Island.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 405 North
Merge slight left
7.74 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Chance Light Rain leaving Kent and Chance Light Rain near Mercer Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Kent to Mercer Island?
The road trip is about 18.9 miles (30.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Renton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.4 miles from Kent and 9.4 miles from Mercer Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.1 miles (21.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.51 one way or $7.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Kent and Chance Light Rain near Mercer Island.
Stop Ideas Near Renton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Auburn
Auburn Community & Event Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Renton.
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Tacoma Dome Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Kent and Mercer Island. Straight-line distance: 13.12 mi (21.12 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 Mercer Island
Island in the United States of America
| Population | 25,912 |
| Coordinates | 47.5706500, -122.2220700 |
| Altitude | 102 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mercer Island (-122.22207, 47.57065)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $3.51 | $7.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $3.73 | $7.46 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $3.87 | $7.73 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $3.66 | $7.33 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.