Origin
Bellingham, WA
Late night in Bellingham on Tuesday
Local time
2:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellingham, WA to Renton, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 3m
Distance
98.7 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bellingham to Renton is 98.7 miles and takes about 2h 3m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington State, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll mainly be on major interstates, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route when you need to cover ground without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.4 miles from Bellingham, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 69.6 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 405 | 24 mi | 29m |
| Logan Avenue North | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Magnolia Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Southport Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 69.6 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellingham, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
2
Continue on Prospect Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Prospect Street
3
Turn left onto West Champion Street
352 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Champion Street
4
Continue on West Magnolia Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Magnolia Street
5
Turn right onto Ellis Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Ellis Street
6
Turn left onto Lakeway Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Lakeway Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 5
70 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
23 mi
·
28 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 5
Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left
39 ft
·
2 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 3m duration and 98.7-mile distance, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can likely complete the drive without needing significant stops, though planning a brief pause around the halfway mark might be comfortable. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Bellingham, as the majority of the route is on high-speed highways. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area, as congestion can impact your travel time.
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 49.4 miles from Bellingham, WA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.6 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.4 miles or 1h 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 38m
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 Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, WA
This is one driving day of about 98.7 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Bellingham, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 69.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Bellingham, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Champion Street
Turn left onto West Champion Street
Navigation decision point
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South: Seattle
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
8
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
96.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard Northeast
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 5
Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.66 one way
$41.31 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $21.66 | $43.33 |
| premium | $5.77 | $22.41 | $44.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.79 | $43.58 |
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: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.36 | $4.74 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.64 | $3.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
2:14 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 95% of the journey utilizing major interstate routes like I 5 and I 405. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 69.6 miles on I 5, offering a consistent pace. The route is designed for efficiency, meaning you'll spend most of your time on fast-paced roads. Expect a predictable driving rhythm as you navigate these primary arteries, with minimal deviations onto local roads like Logan Avenue North.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.6 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near West Champion Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 98.7 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 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Renton, WA
Full guide →Renton is a city in King County, Washington south of Bellevue and north of Kent. It is a quiet suburb of Seattle at the base of Lake Washington. Renton is primarily known as the site of the Boeing 737 plant, where the popular commercial jetliner is built. Renton is also notable for being the resting place of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. Its relatively inexpensive property prices make it a solid choice of stay while visiting Seattle, and the downtown area has many quiet charms of its own.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 98.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.6 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 0.7 miles (West Champion Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 71.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Renton, WA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Renton, WA
More trips to Renton, WA
Explore more options from Bellingham, WA or browse trips ending in Renton, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.