Stretching 168.2 miles from Camas to Renton, this trip is a straightforward journey across Washington’s Pacific Coast region. You can easily complete the drive in 3 hours and 20 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion. Budgeting approximately $35 for fuel is a safe estimate for your transit. Since the route relies heavily on major infrastructure, you won't need to worry about splitting this into an overnight stay. It is a highly practical connection between these two cities, ideal for travelers who prefer a direct, no-nonsense travel experience.
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
84.1 miles from Camas, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
146.2 mi
2h 47m
I 205
9.9 mi
12m
WA 14 Business
5.9 mi
7m
I 405
1.3 mi
1m
Northwest 6th Avenue
1 mi
2m
Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
Northeast 6th Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Valley Freeway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 146.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Camas, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on WA 14 Business
135 ft·8 sec·Northeast 3rd Avenue
2
Turn right onto WA 500
0.2 mi·32 sec·Northeast Garfield Street
3
Turn left onto Northeast 6th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Northeast 6th Avenue
4
Continue on WA 14 Business
1.0 mi·2 min·Northwest 6th Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto WA 14 Business
127 ft·2 sec·WA 14 Business
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, Alpine Lane
6
Continue on WA 14 Business
5.9 mi·7 min·WA 14 Business
Toward WA 14 West: Vancouver, Alpine LaneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 6Toward I 205: Salem, SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 6Toward I 205 North: SeattleUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 205
9.9 mi·12 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 21 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 3 hour and 20 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Aim to complete your one recommended stop strategically to break up the long 146.2-mile stretch on I-5. Because this route is heavily dependent on interstate travel, keep a close eye on traffic reports for the I-5 corridor, as congestion can fluctuate quickly. Filling up your tank for the estimated $35 cost before you leave Camas will ensure you have enough fuel to reach Renton without needing to search for stations along the highway. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to focus on a stress-free arrival at your destination.
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 84.1 miles from Camas, WA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Camas, 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 Camas, WA
This is one driving day of about 168.2 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Camas, 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 I 5 for about 146.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.4 and 166.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.4 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
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 6
Toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
8
7.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 205 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
8
164.4 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
164.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
9
166.9 mi into trip|~3h 16m 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
$35.20 one way
$70.41 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$36.92
$73.84
premium
$5.77
$38.20
$76.39
diesel
$5.61
$37.14
$74.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.5
0
$17.66
$8.07
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.72
$6.73
EV Truck/SUV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 20, 2026
Origin
Camas, WA
Late night
in Camas on Tuesday
Local time
2:15 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
2:15 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
2 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 20m 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.
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 168.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused highway drive, as 97% of this route is comprised of fast-paced thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a 146.2-mile stretch of the journey. The experience is defined by efficiency, utilizing I-205 and WA 14 Business to navigate away from Camas before settling into the interstate rhythm. Because the road is almost entirely composed of highway miles, you can anticipate consistent speeds and a very predictable driving environment throughout the trip.
97% 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: 146.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.4 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 17 significant decision points across 168.2 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 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 168.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.2 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
