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Trip from Fern Prairie, WA to Renton, WA

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 9m ★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Fern Prairie, WA, WA

Fern Prairie, WA

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 5 — 146.2 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fern Prairie, WA and Renton, WA.

1

Start on this road

9 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto WA 500

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Northeast 267th Avenue
3

Continue on WA 500

0.8 mi · 1 min · Northeast Brunner Road
4

Continue on WA 500

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Northeast 25th Street
5

Continue on WA 500

0.4 mi · 36 sec · Northeast Dresser Road
6

Continue on Northeast 28th Street

1.3 mi · 1 min · Northeast 28th Street
7

Continue on Northeast Goodwin Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Northeast Goodwin Road
8

Turn right onto Northeast Ingle Road

1.3 mi · 1 min · Northeast Ingle Road
9

Continue on Northeast 199th Avenue

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Northeast 199th Avenue
10

At end of road, turn left onto WA 500

0.4 mi · 35 sec · Northeast 58th Street
11

Continue on WA 500

0.8 mi · 1 min · Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
12

Enter roundabout onto WA 500

103 ft · 2 sec · Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
13

Continue on WA 500

3.2 mi · 6 min · Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
14

Turn left onto WA 500

0.9 mi · 1 min · WA 500
Use the left lane.
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 205 North: Seattle Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 205

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto I 5

126 mi · 2 hr 21 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

21 mi · 25 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
19

Take the exit

448 ft · 10 sec
Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
21

Merge onto I 405

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 405
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Exit 2 Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South Use the straight lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South Use the slight right lane.
25

Merge onto WA 167

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Valley Freeway
26

Continue on WA 167

0.9 mi · 2 min · Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right

39 ft · 2 sec
28

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.4 miles from Fern Prairie, WA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fern Prairie, 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 5 for about 146.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Lewis County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chehalis, WA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Kelso, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

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.

8
163 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
163.1 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
164.8 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2 Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
8
165.2 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

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

Use the straight lane. Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
9
165.5 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue Sou...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.91 one way

$69.82 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Fern Prairie, WA

Night in Fern Prairie on Saturday

Local time

9:28 PM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Renton, WA

Night in Renton on Saturday

Local time

9:28 PM

PDT

Current temp

56°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 5 to 8 mph 3% chance 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

3h 20m on the road

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

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 166.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.2 mi on I 5.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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.

Driving Effort 10/10

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.

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 146.2 miles on I 5. 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 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.

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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Renton, WA to Fern Prairie, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

166.8 mi 3h 21m

Explore more options from Fern Prairie, WA or browse trips ending in Renton, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.