How far is South Hill, WA from Seattle, WA?

The driving distance from South Hill, WA to Seattle, WA is about 40 miles (64.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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
39.95 mi
00h 53m
Flight
32.26 mi
51.92 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from South Hill.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.26 mi
Kilometers
51.92 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.95 mi
Kilometers
64.3 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seattle
Sat, Apr 18, 9:13 PM PDT
Return by in South Hill
Sat, Apr 18, 10:06 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave South Hill
2026-04-18T20:19
Arrive Seattle
Sat, Apr 18, 9:13 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:42 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in South Hill
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
Kent
WA

The fourth most populous city in King County, Washington.

From South Hill
19.6 mi
00h 26m
To Seattle
20.3 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph NNE
Destination
64°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between South Hill and Seattle.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Hill and Seattle.

  1. 1

    Start on 126th Street Court East

    749 ft · 26 sec · 126th Street Court East

  2. 2

    Continue on 117th Avenue East

    155 m · 20 sec · 117th Avenue East

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto 128th Street East

    1.5 km · 2 min · 128th Street East

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Meridian Avenue East

    2508 ft · 1 min · Meridian Avenue East

  5. 5

    Continue on Meridian East

    1.6 km · 2 min · Meridian East

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward WA 512 East, WA 161 North: Seattle

    3 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima

    1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

    13 mi · 16 min · Valley Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 516: Des Moines, Willis Street

    1449 ft · 43 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Willis Street

    1085 ft · 35 sec · West Willis Street

  11. 11

    Continue on South Kent Des Moines Road

    2.6 mi · 4 min · South Kent Des Moines Road

  12. 12

    Take the exit right

    1146 ft · 18 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    1972 ft · 50 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    15.8 mi · 20 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight left toward Seneca Street

    1359 ft · 36 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Seneca Street

    98 m · 18 sec · Seneca Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue

    615 ft · 27 sec · 5th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Madison Street

    34 m · 9 sec · Madison Street

  19. 19

    Turn left

    9 m · 2 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between South Hill and Seattle.

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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Kent Des Moines Road
19 mi · 48%
Valley Freeway
13 mi · 33%
WA 512 East
3 mi · 8%
Meridian East
1 mi · 2%
128th Street East
0.94 mi · 2%
WA 167 North
0.64 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

South Kent Des Moines Road

Merge slight left

15.8 mi · 00h 20m

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
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.8 mi
32.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kent
00h 26m from South Hill
Leave By
4:42 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain leaving South Hill and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain near Seattle.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from South Hill to Seattle?

The road trip is about 40 miles (64.3 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Kent is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.6 miles from South Hill and 20.3 miles from Seattle.

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

The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.38 one way or $14.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain around South Hill and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain near Seattle.

Stop Ideas Near Kent

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 Kent and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 12.4 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 8 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 4.9 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 Covington
Meeting point 6 mi away

City of Covington

Covington , WA
16720 SE 271st St, Covington, WA 98042
Rating 4.2/5 5 reviews City Hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tukwila station

9 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

21 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

King Street Station

25 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

27 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between South Hill and Seattle. Straight-line distance: 32.26 mi (51.92 km).

South Hill

#1 South Hill

Town in Virginia

Population52,431
Coordinates47.1412100, -122.2701200
Altitude163
CountryUnited States
Seattle

#2 Seattle

The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.

Population769,714
Coordinates47.6062100, -122.3320700
Altitude56
CountryUnited States
Start: 126th Street Court East (-122.270121, 47.14146)
End: (-122.332143, 47.606309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.41 gal
5.34 L · about $7.38
Round trip
$14.76
2.82 gal · 10.68 L
Estimated CO2
12.5 kg one way
Round trip: 25.1 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $7.38 $14.76
Mid-grade $5.57 $7.85 $15.70
Premium $5.77 $8.14 $16.27
Diesel $5.47 $7.71 $15.42

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

There is no time difference between South Hill and Seattle. The current time is 20:19:21.

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.