Cascade Valley, WA to Renton, WA is 180.2 miles and takes about 3h 27m via WA 171 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, traversing the Pacific Coast region from start to finish. Expect a primarily highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey for those looking for a direct route. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this is a manageable one-day trip for most travelers.
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
90.1 miles from Cascade Valley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 171
166 mi
3h 2m
I 405
4.9 mi
6m
East Broadway Avenue
2.8 mi
4m
West Valley Road
1.8 mi
3m
Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
2m
Valley Road Northeast
0.9 mi
2m
North Stratford Road
0.5 mi
1m
Airport Way South
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
WA 171
— 166 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cascade Valley, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on Arrow Street Northeast
0.1 mi·28 sec·Arrow Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto Clink Road Northeast
360 ft·19 sec·Clink Road Northeast
3
Turn left onto Valley Road Northeast
0.9 mi·2 min·Valley Road Northeast
4
Continue on West Valley Road
1.8 mi·3 min·West Valley Road
5
Turn right onto North Stratford Road
0.5 mi·1 min·North Stratford Road
6
Turn right onto WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist
2.8 mi·4 min·East Broadway Avenue
7
Take the ramp onto WA 171; I 90 Bus
166 mi·3 hr 2 min·WA 171; I 90 Bus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi·2 min·Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left
39 ft·2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 27m estimated drive time and 180.2 miles, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Plan to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow for any unexpected traffic, especially as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area. The longest stretch, 166 miles, means you can cover significant ground without needing to stop frequently for fuel. However, with only one stop suggested, be sure to check your fuel levels before embarking and consider topping off before hitting the longest segment of WA 171.
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 90.1 miles from Cascade Valley, WA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166 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 40 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.1 miles or 1h 44m 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 47m
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 Cascade Valley, 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 Cascade Valley, WA
This is one driving day of about 180.2 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Cascade Valley, 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 WA 171 for about 166 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 177.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.1 mi into trip|~12m in|WA 171; I 90 Bus
Take the ramp onto WA 171; I 90 Bus
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
172.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
172.3 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
173 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
177.9 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
$37.71 one way
$75.43 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$39.55
$79.10
premium
$5.77
$40.92
$81.84
diesel
$5.61
$39.79
$79.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.1
0
$18.92
$8.65
Efficient EV
45.1
0
$15.77
$7.21
EV Truck/SUV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cascade Valley, WA
Late night
in Cascade Valley on Sunday
Local time
12:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
12:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°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
1 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
3h 27m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted segment of 166 miles primarily on WA 171. The main roads include WA 171, I 405, and East Broadway Avenue, indicating a progression through different types of high-speed corridors. This character suggests a drive that is efficient and direct, rather than one focused on leisurely exploration or varied terrain.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166 mi on WA 171.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 171 and I 405. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near WA 171; I 90 Bus.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 180.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (WA 171; I 90 Bus): Lane positioning matters here; at 172.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 180.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m 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 166 miles on WA 171. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (WA 171; I 90 Bus): Lane positioning matters here; at 172.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.3 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
