Spanning 201.8 miles, your journey from Benton City to Renton is a straightforward trek across Washington that typically takes about 3 hours and 23 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan for a single day of travel rather than splitting it up. You will navigate through local roads like Babs Avenue and 1st Street, keeping your focus steady as you transition between these Pacific Coast locations. Budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. This trip is best suited for those who prefer navigating local routes over monotonous highway miles, making it an efficient way to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.2 miles from Benton City, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
I 82
95.4 mi
1h 43m
I 405
4.9 mi
6m
Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
2m
Babs Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
1st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Airport Way South
0.4 mi
<1m
9th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 63 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,533 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,340
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton City, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on WA 225
0.4 mi·57 sec·9th Street
2
Continue on WA 225
0.5 mi·1 min·Babs Avenue
3
Turn straight onto WA 225
0.4 mi·52 sec·1st Street
4
Enter roundabout
29 ft·0 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·19 sec
6
Merge onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 82; US 12
7
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
101 mi·1 hr 53 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse 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
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, plan to depart early in the day to ensure you can navigate the local roads during daylight hours. You only need to account for one planned stop over the course of the 201.8 miles, so keep your itinerary flexible. Budgeting $42 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keep in mind that local driving patterns can impact your actual consumption. To make the most of the trip, monitor your pace carefully while navigating the turns on Babs Avenue and 1st Street, as these local connectors require more focus than a standard highway. Having your route mapped out clearly before you leave will help you manage the frequent transitions between local roads efficiently.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 103.2 miles from Benton City, WA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 45 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.2 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
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 Benton City, 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 Benton City, WA
This is one driving day of about 206.5 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Benton City, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 97 for about 101.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 97 and 204.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
97 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
8
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
7
198.6 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 South: Renton
5
199.2 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
204.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
$40.23 one way
$80.45 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$42.15
$84.29
premium
$5.39
$43.83
$87.66
diesel
$4.80
$38.99
$77.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.68
$9.91
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.07
$8.26
EV Truck/SUV
82.6
1
$28.91
$13.22
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Benton City, WA
Morning
in Benton City on Sunday
Local time
11:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
SW 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Renton, WA
Morning
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
11:58 AM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 6:55AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 199.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will find that this 201.8-mile route lacks any significant highway stretches, as it features a 0% highway share. Instead, expect a technical experience defined by frequent turns as you maneuver along Babs Avenue and 1st Street. Because the drive is composed entirely of local roads, you should remain alert to constant changes in road geometry rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. This turn-heavy profile requires your full attention throughout the 3 hour and 23 minute duration. While the lack of interstate travel means you avoid typical highway congestion, you must be prepared for the steady, active steering this path demands.
98% 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: 101.4 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97 miles in near US 97.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 206.5 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 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Top landmarks
•Renton History Museum — Museum in the city of Renton in the state of Washington, United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 206.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.4 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
