Origin
Burien, WA
Late night in Burien on Sunday
Local time
1:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burien, WA to Renton, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12m
Distance
7.8 mi
12 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 11m
★
6 AM
0h 12m
8 AM
0h 14m
10 AM
0h 13m
12 PM
0h 13m
3 PM
0h 13m
5 PM
0h 14m
8 PM
0h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burien, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection across the Pacific Coast region, the 7.8-mile drive from Burien to Renton is a breeze. Clocking in at just 12 minutes, this trip is best suited as a simple day outing that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via State Route 518, I-405, and Rainier Avenue South. With a fuel cost of only $2, it is an incredibly economical route to manage. Since the distance is so short, you won't need to worry about planning for any formal stops along the way. It is a straightforward, practical commute that moves you between these two Washington cities with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 518 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| I 405 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Southwest 148th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| WA 518 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Valley Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 518
— 3.4 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burien, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on Southwest 148th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 148th Street
2
Continue on WA 518
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 518
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
WA 518
Toward I 405 North: Renton
Use the slight left lane.
4
Continue on I 405
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Valley Freeway
9
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right
39 ft
·
2 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 6.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
WA 518
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518 toward I 405 North: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 North: Renton
8
5.7 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
6.2 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
6.4 mi into trip
|
~8m 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...
4
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge onto WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.63 one way
$3.26 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $1.71 | $3.42 |
| premium | $5.77 | $1.77 | $3.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.72 | $3.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$2
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.82 | $0.37 |
| Efficient EV | 2 | 0 | $0.68 | $0.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Sunday
Local time
1:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 8 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:49AM PDT until April 17 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:33AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
7 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
12m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 69% of this 7.8-mile journey takes place on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during your 3.4-mile trek on State Route 518, which sets the pace for the majority of the drive. While the route transitions from the arterial flow of the highway onto local surface streets like Rainier Avenue South, the transition is quick and direct. You won't encounter a monotonous long-haul grind here; instead, the drive feels like a efficient transit between two neighboring urban hubs. Behind the wheel, you will notice a fast-paced environment that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding, leisurely backroads.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 3.4 mi on State Route 518.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 518 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near WA 518.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 6 decision points packed into just 7.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 12m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burien, WA and Renton, WA, road signs point toward Auburn and Rainier Avenue South.
Auburn
5.7 mi in
|
~7m
Rainier Avenue South
6.2 mi in
|
~8m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 12m. Total distance: 7.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 3.4 miles on State Route 518. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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