This 101.3-mile drive from Aberdeen, WA to Renton, WA takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With 76% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a predominantly fast-paced travel day. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, which is quite manageable for this distance. This route is focused on efficient travel, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. You can expect a straightforward drive without needing to plan for overnight stays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Aberdeen, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
49.5 mi
1h 1m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
East Wishkah Street
1.5 mi
3m
I 405
1.3 mi
1m
Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
East Heron Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 49.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aberdeen, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on US 101
310 ft·16 sec·East Wishkah Street
2
Turn left onto South I Street
365 ft·23 sec·South I Street
3
Turn left onto US 101
0.4 mi·59 sec·East Heron Street
4
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
5
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
6
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
7
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
8
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
10
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 405
1.3 mi·1 min·I 405
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 2Toward WA 167 South: Renton, AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi·22 sec·Valley Freeway
19
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi·2 min·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right
39 ft·2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 13-minute duration, this route is easily accomplished in a single day, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for one substantial stretch of highway driving, with the longest segment on I-5 lasting 49.5 miles, so consider a brief stop before or after that point. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is modest, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the longer highway stretches.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.7 miles from Aberdeen, WA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 22 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Renton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aberdeen, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aberdeen, WA
This is one driving day of about 101.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Aberdeen, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 49.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.5 and 100 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
97.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
97.6 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
99.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
8
99.7 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
9
100 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue Sou...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.20 one way
$42.40 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$22.23
$44.47
premium
$5.77
$23.00
$46.01
diesel
$5.61
$22.37
$44.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
Efficient EV
25.3
0
$8.86
$4.05
EV Truck/SUV
40.5
0
$14.18
$6.48
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Aberdeen, WA
Late night
in Aberdeen on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
12:49 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Sunny
N 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 101.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 101.3-mile trip, with 76% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-5 and WA 8. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.5 miles on I-5, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Olympic Highway and WA 8 suggests some transitions between faster travel and potentially more local road conditions. The overall feel is efficient movement rather than a winding scenic exploration.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 101.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 97.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 101.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.5 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Renton, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 97.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Renton, WA before heading back.
