Origin
Fern Prairie, WA
Night in Fern Prairie on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
166.8 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fern Prairie, WA
Tom Fisk
Fern Prairie, WA to Renton, WA is 166.8 miles and takes about 3 hours 20 minutes via I 5, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington State and the Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll be covering a significant distance on major interstates, so expect consistent travel conditions. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency and minimal detours.
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
83.4 miles from Fern Prairie, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 146.2 mi | 2h 47m |
| I 205 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard | 4 mi | 7m |
| I 405 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Ingle Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 28th Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| WA 500 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fern Prairie, WA and Renton, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto WA 500
Continue on WA 500
Continue on WA 500
Continue on WA 500
Continue on Northeast 28th Street
Continue on Northeast Goodwin Road
Turn right onto Northeast Ingle Road
Continue on Northeast 199th Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto WA 500
Continue on WA 500
Enter roundabout onto WA 500
Continue on WA 500
Turn left onto WA 500
Take the exit
Merge onto I 205
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto WA 167
Continue on WA 167
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a manageable 1-day trip of about 3 hours and 20 minutes, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will help you avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach Renton. With the longest stretch being 146.2 miles on I 5, plan for a single fuel stop if needed, as the estimated fuel cost is around $35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before embarking on that extended interstate segment. Because the majority of this route is on I 5 and I 205, it's wise to check real-time traffic conditions before you depart.
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.
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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 41m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Renton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fern Prairie, 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 Fern Prairie, WA
This is one driving day of about 166.8 miles and 3h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.4 miles from Fern Prairie, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 163 and 165.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Regular Gas
$34.91 one way
$69.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $36.61 | $73.22 |
| premium | $5.77 | $37.88 | $75.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.83 | $73.65 |
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: 58.4 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 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.01 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.35 | $10.68 |
Gas CO2
58 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Fern Prairie on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Renton on Saturday
Local time
9:28 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a substantial 146.2-mile stretch on I 5, which forms the backbone of this journey. The profile suggests a predominantly fast-paced experience on well-maintained interstates, minimizing time spent on local roads. Expect a consistent driving rhythm for most of the trip, with limited changes in road type. This kind of drive is ideal if you prefer covering ground quickly without frequent stops or complex navigation.
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 163 miles in.
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 166.8 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 163 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 166.8 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 (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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