Traveling from College Place to Renton covers 269 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 6 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is entirely within Washington, you will remain in the Pacific Coast region for the duration of the trip. The route is well-suited for a single-day push, as it doesn't necessitate an overnight stay unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $55 for fuel to complete the transit successfully. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that connects the eastern part of the state to the urban corridor near Renton. It is a practical choice for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two points.
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
134.5 miles from College Place, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
112.6 mi
2h 5m
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
I 82
31 mi
33m
I 182
11.8 mi
12m
I 405
4.9 mi
6m
Wallula Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
Old Highway 12
1.2 mi
2m
Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 112.6 mi, about 2h 5m
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 College Place, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on East Whitman Drive
61 ft·5 sec·East Whitman Drive
2
Turn right onto North College Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·North College Avenue
3
Turn left
174 ft·7 sec
4
Continue on North College Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North College Avenue
5
Enter roundabout
88 ft·2 sec
6
Continue
137 ft·6 sec
7
Continue on Wallula Avenue
2.1 mi·3 min·Wallula Avenue
8
At end of road, turn left onto Old Highway 12
1.2 mi·2 min·Old Highway 12
9
Turn right onto Spalding Road
0.2 mi·18 sec·Spalding Road
10
Turn left onto US 12
23 mi·26 min·US 12
11
Keep slight right at fork
287 ft·3 sec
12
Merge onto US 12
19 mi·21 min·US 12
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
12 mi·12 min·I 182; US 12
Toward I 182, US 12Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
15
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi·2 min·Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
25
Turn left
39 ft·2 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5-hour drive, planning for at least one stop is essential to keep you alert and refreshed. Leaving early in the morning can help you bypass potential traffic congestion as you approach the Renton area. Given that the route is almost entirely highway-based, ensure your vehicle is prepared for sustained speeds before you depart. Consider topping off your tank before hitting the longest 112.6-mile stretch on US 12 to avoid any fuel anxiety in more remote segments. Because this trip is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your arrival time based on your personal preference and traffic conditions.
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 134.5 miles from College Place, WA, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.6 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.5 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 College Place, 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 College Place, WA
This is one driving day of about 269 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from College Place, 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 12 for about 112.6 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 45.8 and 266.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
45.8 mi into trip|~55m in|I 182; US 12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12 toward I 182, US 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 182, US 12
7
159.5 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
260.9 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
261.1 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
8
266.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
$52.40 one way
$104.80 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$54.90
$109.80
premium
$5.39
$57.09
$114.19
diesel
$4.80
$50.79
$101.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.7
0
$28.25
$12.91
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.54
$10.76
EV Truck/SUV
107.6
1
$37.66
$17.22
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
College Place, WA
Morning
in College Place on Sunday
Local time
10:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Smoke
S 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Renton, WA
Morning
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
10:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 0 to 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 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
4 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
5h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 259.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 98% of this drive is spent on highways. Your route utilizes a combination of US 12, US 97, and I-82 to navigate the distance. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on US 12, covering 112.6 miles of open road. Behind the wheel, you will notice a consistent rhythm characterized by high-speed highway travel rather than technical, winding local roads. This profile makes for a predictable, steady driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over secondary road exploration.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.6 mi on US 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.8 miles in near I 182; US 12.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 269 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 45.8 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,532 ft46 ft
Total Climb
2,654 ft
Total Descent
3,402 ft
Highest Point
2,532 ft
~211.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,486 ft
Notable High Points
2,532 ft at ~211.4 miles+508 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from College Place, WA to Renton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Known for its funny name and its famous Sweet Onions, Walla Walla in the Columbia River Plateau of Washington State is a pleasant stop with a charming downtown and booming wine industry.
This guide includes the neighboring city of College Place.
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 5h 6m. Total distance: 269 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m 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 112.6 miles on US 12. 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 45.8 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
