Traveling from Clarkston to Renton spans 305.3 miles and requires approximately 5 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on Bridge Street, the Inland Empire Highway, and Highway 12 rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day trip. You should budget roughly $64 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Washington locations. While the drive is manageable in one go, the turn-heavy nature of the roads means you should prepare for an active day behind the wheel. Both cities are situated within the Pacific Coast region, ensuring a consistent climate experience throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153.6 miles from Clarkston, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
127.9 mi
2h 21m
State Route 26
63.1 mi
1h 20m
State Route 261
29.3 mi
51m
US Highway 12
25 mi
31m
Main Street
13.8 mi
16m
Road 13 Southwest
10.2 mi
15m
US 12
8.5 mi
10m
State Route 26 West
6.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 127.9 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,300 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,050
Quietest
2 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.1×
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 Clarkston, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on WA 129 Spur
0.3 mi·50 sec·6th Street
2
Turn left onto US 12
2.1 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
3
Continue on US 12
1.4 mi·1 min·Inland Empire Highway
4
Continue on US 12
25 mi·31 min·US Highway 12
5
Continue on US 12
0.5 mi·36 sec·Villard
6
Continue on US 12
14 mi·16 min·Main Street
7
Turn right onto US 12
150 ft·9 sec·Owens Road
8
Turn left onto US 12
8.5 mi·10 min·US 12
9
Take the exit
302 ft·8 sec
10
Turn straight onto WA 261
29 mi·51 min·State Route 261
11
At end of road, turn right onto WA 260; WA 261
6.4 mi·11 min·WA 260; WA 261
12
Turn left onto WA 26
2.9 mi·3 min·State Highway 26
13
Continue on WA 26
63 mi·1 hr 20 min·State Route 26
14
Continue on WA 26
10 mi·15 min·Road 13 Southwest
15
Continue on WA 26
6.9 mi·10 min·State Route 26 West
16
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
17
Merge onto I 90
128 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi·2 min·Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left
39 ft·2 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, plan to depart early in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight for the more technical sections. You only have one planned stop on this 305.3-mile route, so utilize that break effectively to stretch and refuel your vehicle. Given the $64 fuel cost, check your tank before leaving Clarkston to avoid unnecessary stops in remote areas where prices might fluctuate. Staying alert is crucial on these non-highway roads, so pace yourself to avoid fatigue. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your GPS or physical maps, as the transition between Bridge Street and the Inland Empire Highway requires careful navigation compared to standard highway driving.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.6 miles from Clarkston, WA, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.9 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 68 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.6 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 28m
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 Clarkston, 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 Clarkston, WA
This is one driving day of about 307.2 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Clarkston, 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 90 for about 127.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 171.2 and 304.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
171.2 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
299.1 mi into trip|~6h 20m 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
299.3 mi into trip|~6h 20m 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
300 mi into trip|~6h 22m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
304.9 mi into trip|~6h 28m 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
$59.84 one way
$119.69 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$62.70
$125.40
premium
$5.39
$65.20
$130.40
diesel
$4.80
$58.01
$116.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.2
1
$32.26
$14.75
Efficient EV
76.8
0
$26.88
$12.29
EV Truck/SUV
122.9
1
$43.01
$19.66
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Clarkston, WA
Late night
in Clarkston on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
PDT
Current temp
97°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 7 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM 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
6h 33m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 307.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical interstate cruise, as this path is characterized by a turn-heavy, local-road profile. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roadways that demand your full attention and frequent adjustments. The route avoids monotonous high-speed stretches, instead offering a technical drive that keeps you engaged with the surrounding terrain. As you navigate the transition from Clarkston toward Renton, the road surface and curvature will remain consistently technical. This is an ideal trip if you prefer hands-on driving over the repetitive drone of a major expressway.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.2 miles in near I 90.
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 14 significant decision points across 307.2 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 171.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 299.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Clarkston is a city of 7,200 people (2020) in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. It sits across the Snake River to the west of Lewiston, Idaho.
This article also includes the neighboring city of Asotin, as well as rural Asotin County.
Top landmarks
•C. C. Van Arsdol House — single-family detached home in Clarkston, United States of America
•Clarkston Public Library — library in Clarkston, Washington, USA
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 6h 33m. Total distance: 307.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.9 miles on I 90. 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 171.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 299.3 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Renton, WA before the return drive.
