How far is Kent, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Kent, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 20.6 miles (33.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
20.64 mi
00h 28m
Flight
13.21 mi
21.26 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kent.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.21 mi
Kilometers
21.26 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
20.64 mi
Kilometers
33.21 km
Drive Time
00h 28m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Wed, Apr 22, 7:40 PM PDT
Return by in Kent
Wed, Apr 22, 8:08 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kent
2026-04-22T19:11
Arrive Tacoma
Wed, Apr 22, 7:40 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:28 AM to 7:28 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:34 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Kent
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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
Edgewood
WA

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

From Kent
9.3 mi
00h 14m
To Tacoma
11.4 mi
00h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
9 mph SW
Destination
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kent and Tacoma.

  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

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome

    785 ft · 19 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station

    102 m · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center

    2087 ft · 51 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight right

    1554 ft · 22 sec

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center

    1550 ft · 38 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue

    1048 ft · 31 sec

  20. 20

    Continue on South 15th Street

    1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South

    1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
23 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
111.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
8.04 mi · 39%
Valley Freeway
4.44 mi · 21%
State Route 18
1.53 mi · 7%
WA 18 West
0.98 mi · 5%
I 705 North
0.75 mi · 4%
I 5
0.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

7.21 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 28m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
13.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Edgewood
00h 14m from Kent
Leave By
7:34 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Kent and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kent to Tacoma?

The road trip is about 20.6 miles (33.2 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?

Edgewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.3 miles from Kent and 11.4 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 7:34 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.82 one way or $7.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Kent and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.

Stop Ideas Near Edgewood

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Edgewood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 6.3 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 14.5 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 4.1 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
City of Normandy Park City Hall
Meeting point 11.4 mi away

City of Normandy Park City Hall

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Edgewood.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

9 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

24 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

39 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

41 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kent and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 13.21 mi (21.26 km).

Kent

#1 Kent

The fourth most populous city in King County, Washington.

Population130,676
Coordinates47.3809300, -122.2348400
Altitude13
CountryUnited States
Tacoma

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: West Gowe Street (-122.234827, 47.380901)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 33 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.73 gal
2.76 L · about $3.82
Round trip
$7.64
1.46 gal · 5.52 L
Estimated CO2
6.5 kg one way
Round trip: 13 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $3.82 $7.64
Mid-grade $5.57 $4.06 $8.13
Premium $5.77 $4.21 $8.43
Diesel $5.47 $3.99 $7.98

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 Tacoma. The current time is 19:11:57.

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.