After the Freeport Diversion passes under the Conestoga overpasses, the Highway 8 designation continues on the Conestoga west of the junction on the loop ramp, but going straight ahead defaults to King Street, which continues northwesterly through Downtown Kitchener and eventually to the boundary with Waterloo.

It also contains television studios (for CKCO-TV) and radio stations (CHYM-FM, CIKZ-FM and CKGL, which moved to "The Boardwalk" near Ira Needles Boulevard and University Avenue).

Highway 401 eastbound traffic, however, continued to use King Street East to reach the Freeport Diversion.

Upon crossing into Waterloo, King Street turns northeastward and continues until it exits the city into Woolwich Township.

Shops and pubs line the street roughly from the border with Kitchener until Bridgeport Road.

Waterloo Regional Road 15 also continues west at the T-intersection of King Street N and Lobsinger Line that is locally known as Wagner's Corners.

"Lobsinger Line" is named after a local community figure in the village of St. Clements, Ontario.

Along Lobsinger Line, it is common to see signs for produce, eggs, firewood, and "No Sunday Sales" from each of the laneways.

Its street operation franchise for Kitchener expired in October 1919, leading to a municipal takeover of about 4,700 feet (1,400 m) of track by the Kitchener Public Utilities Commission from Albert Street to what was then the southern city limit.

This allowed for the later conversion of parts of King Street to a boulevard, as well as the construction of the Freeport Diversion.