Origin
Ilwaco, WA
Late night in Ilwaco on Tuesday
Local time
1:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ilwaco, WA to Renton, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
162.2 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 53m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ilwaco, WA
Joshua hansome Adroit
Trip Overview
This 162.2-mile drive from Ilwaco, WA, to Renton, WA, is a manageable one-day trip, taking about 3 hours and 43 minutes. You'll be spending most of your time on highways, with 91% of the route being on major roads like US 101, I 5, and WA 8. The estimated fuel cost is around $34, making it an economical journey. This highway-focused route offers a straightforward path across the Pacific Coast region of Washington, ideal for those looking for an efficient transit rather than a leisurely exploration. Consider this a solid option if you need to get from the coast to the Puget Sound area without much fuss.
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
81.1 miles from Ilwaco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 101 | 68 mi | 1h 38m |
| I 5 | 49.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| WA 8 | 21.1 mi | 26m |
| Olympic Highway | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| State Route 107 | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| I 405 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 101
— 68 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ilwaco, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on US 101
51 ft
·
8 sec
·
1st Avenue North
2
Turn left onto US 101
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Spruce Street East
3
Turn slight left onto US 101
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 101
4
Turn left onto US 101 Alt
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
US 101 Alt
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 101
13 mi
·
19 min
·
US 101
6
Turn left onto US 101
30 mi
·
43 min
·
US 101
7
Enter roundabout onto US 101
104 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 101
8
Continue on US 101
18 mi
·
25 min
·
US 101
9
Turn right onto WA 107
7.1 mi
·
12 min
·
State Route 107
10
Continue on WA 107
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
12
Merge onto US 12
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Olympic Highway
13
Continue on WA 8
21 mi
·
26 min
·
WA 8
14
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 101
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
16
Merge onto I 5
29 mi
·
36 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
18
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.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 405
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the straight lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Valley Freeway
25
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right
39 ft
·
2 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 43-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, offering plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick fuel and stretch break or drive straight through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 68-mile stretch on US 101, to ensure you have enough before reaching a service area. The $34 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budget.
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 81.1 miles from Ilwaco, WA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 36 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.1 miles or 1h 59m 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 5m
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 Ilwaco, 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 Ilwaco, WA
This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Ilwaco, 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 US 101 for about 68 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Ilwaco, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 101 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 158.4 and 160.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
158.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m 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
158.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m 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
160.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m 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
160.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
160.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
$33.95 one way
$67.89 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $35.60 | $71.20 |
| premium | $5.77 | $36.83 | $73.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.81 | $71.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.03 | $7.79 |
| Efficient EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.19 | $6.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.71 | $10.38 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
1:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Aberdeen, WA
81 mi in
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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 43m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses site...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$10
View on nps.gov
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 162.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a primarily highway-focused experience on this trip. With 91% of the drive on major roads, you'll encounter stretches designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 68 miles on US 101, offering a good period of consistent driving. While the route utilizes highways like I 5 and WA 8, providing a generally smooth progression, it’s important to note the highway-heavy nature means less focus on local scenery and more on covering distance. The character is that of a functional transit route, prioritizing speed and directness.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68 mi on US 101.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 101 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 158.4 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 19 significant decision points across 162.2 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 158.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
387 ft
16 ft
Total Climb
1,113 ft
Total Descent
1,083 ft
Highest Point
387 ft
~150.6 mi in
Elevation Range
372 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in Renton, WA
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 162.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68 miles on US 101. 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 158.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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