Origin
Highland, WA
Late night in Highland on Tuesday
Local time
2:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
228.1 mi
367 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland, WA
Eclipse Chasers
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Highland, WA and Renton, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto WA 397
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 82; US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
Continue on Logan Avenue North
Continue on Airport Way South
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
Turn left
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 114 miles from Highland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.2 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 5.1 and 225.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 82 West, US 395 North: Kennewick
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$47.74 one way
$95.48 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $50.07 | $100.13 |
| premium | $5.77 | $51.80 | $103.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.36 | $100.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Highland on Tuesday
Local time
2:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
2:22 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
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.
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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