Electric City, WA to Renton, WA is 225.4 miles and takes about 4h 32m via I 90 and Coulee Corridor, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Washington's Pacific Coast region, offering a mostly highway experience. It's a manageable drive for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal overnight planning required.
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
112.7 miles from Electric City, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
141.3 mi
2h 35m
Coulee Boulevard
24.2 mi
31m
Coulee Corridor
21.3 mi
29m
Basin Street Southwest
19.9 mi
26m
I 405
4.9 mi
6m
Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
4.3 mi
6m
WA 28
3.7 mi
5m
Alder Street Northwest
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 141.3 mi, about 2h 35m
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 Electric City, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on WA 155
24 mi·31 min·Coulee Boulevard
2
Continue on US 2
4.3 mi·6 min·Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
3
Turn left onto WA 17
21 mi·29 min·Coulee Corridor
4
Turn right onto WA 28
3.7 mi·5 min·WA 28
5
Turn left onto Alder Street Northwest
1.6 mi·2 min·Alder Street Northwest
6
Continue on Alder Street Southwest
0.4 mi·56 sec·Alder Street Southwest
7
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southwest
392 ft·16 sec·5th Avenue Southwest
8
Turn left onto WA 28
20 mi·26 min·Basin Street Southwest
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 90
141 mi·2 hr 35 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi·2 min·Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left
39 ft·2 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Electric City to avoid any potential traffic as you get closer to Renton. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $48, and it's always wise to fill up before hitting longer stretches. The longest stretch on I 90 is over 140 miles, so plan your refueling accordingly before you begin that segment.
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 112.7 miles from Electric City, WA, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.3 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 50 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Electric City, 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 Electric City, WA
This is one driving day of about 225.4 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Electric City, 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 141.3 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 75.9 and 223.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 43m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
217.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
217.5 mi into trip|~4h 19m 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
218.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
223.1 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
$43.91 one way
$87.82 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$46.00
$92.01
premium
$5.39
$47.84
$95.68
diesel
$4.80
$42.56
$85.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.67
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.72
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.56
$14.43
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Electric City, WA
Late night
in Electric City on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
3:45 AM
PDT
Current temp
79°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
13 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
4h 32m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 217.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 67% of the 225.4 miles on major roads like I 90. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 141.3 miles on I 90, indicating extended periods of cruising. Expect the highway portion to conclude around mile marker 74.5, transitioning to surface streets as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Coulee Boulevard. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 75.9 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort6/10
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 225.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 75.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4h 32m. Total distance: 225.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.3 miles on I 90. 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 75.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 217.5 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
