This 228.1-mile drive from Highland, WA, to Renton, WA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-82, US-97, and I-405, this route offers a highway-focused experience within the Pacific Coast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $48, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it a straightforward journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without needing an overnight stay.
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
114 miles from Highland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 82
112.2 mi
2h 1m
US 97
101.4 mi
1h 53m
I 405
4.9 mi
6m
East State Route 397
4.8 mi
6m
Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
2m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
1 mi
1m
Airport Way South
0.4 mi
<1m
North Southport Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 82
— 112.2 mi, about 2h 1m
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 Highland, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on this road
0.3 mi·1 min·this road
2
Turn left onto WA 397
4.8 mi·6 min·East State Route 397
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick
4
Merge onto I 82; US 395
1.0 mi·1 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82
112 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 82
Toward I 82
6
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.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi·2 min·Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left
39 ft·2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 18-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Renton. The longest stretch without a major change is over 112 miles on I-82, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. 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 highway stretches.
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 114 miles from Highland, WA, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.2 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114 miles or 2h 6m 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 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 Highland, 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 Highland, WA
This is one driving day of about 228.1 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Highland, 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 82 for about 112.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 225.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick
7
118.6 mi into trip|~2h 11m 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
220 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
220.2 mi into trip|~4h 5m 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
225.8 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
$44.43 one way
$88.87 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$46.55
$93.11
premium
$5.39
$48.41
$96.83
diesel
$4.80
$43.07
$86.14
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: 79.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.96
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.93
$14.60
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Highland, WA
Evening
in Highland on Sunday
Local time
5:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 13 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
Evening
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
5:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
W 3 to 7 mph1% 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
14 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 18m 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 220.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey on major roadways. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 112.2 miles on I-82, offering a consistent pace. The route is characterized by its focus on efficient travel, largely sticking to interstates and well-maintained US highways. This means you'll likely experience smooth sailing for the majority of the trip, with minimal time spent on slower local roads. The road's personality is geared towards covering ground effectively.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.2 mi on I 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 82 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
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 12 significant decision points across 228.1 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 5.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.6 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 18m. Total distance: 228.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m 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 112.2 miles on I 82. 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 5.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.6 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
