Kittitas, WA to Renton, WA is 114.4 miles and takes about 2h 12m via I 90 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Pacific Coast region of Washington state, entirely within the same state. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's easily manageable in a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours or complicated navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.2 miles from Kittitas, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
105 mi
1h 56m
I 405
4.9 mi
6m
Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
2m
Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
Airport Way South
0.4 mi
<1m
North Southport Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi
<1m
East First Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 105 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kittitas, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on East First Avenue
148 ft·9 sec·East First Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 90 West
4
Merge onto I 90
105 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 10Toward I 405: Renton, EverettUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 405 South: RentonUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi·6 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 5Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard NortheastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi·48 sec·North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi·2 min·Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi·59 sec·Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi·24 sec·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left
39 ft·2 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 12 minutes, this trip is ideal for a same-day journey. You can depart Kittitas in the morning and arrive in Renton with plenty of daylight left. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, it's a budget-friendly option. Plan for one fuel stop if needed, as the longest stretch on I 90 is substantial at 105 miles. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area, especially on I 405, which can experience congestion during peak hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.2 miles from Kittitas, WA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.2 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
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 Kittitas, 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 Kittitas, WA
This is one driving day of about 114.4 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Kittitas, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 105 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 112.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~2m in|I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
106.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
106.5 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
5
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
$23.94 one way
$47.89 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$25.11
$50.22
premium
$5.77
$25.98
$51.96
diesel
$5.61
$25.26
$50.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.3
0
$12.01
$5.49
Efficient EV
28.6
0
$10.01
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.02
$7.32
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Kittitas, WA
Late night
in Kittitas on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
12:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
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
2h 12m 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.
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 106.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey on major interstates like I 90 and I 405. You'll experience a long stretch of 105 miles on I 90, offering a consistent pace. The route is designed for efficient travel, so expect mostly uninterrupted highway driving. Logan Avenue North is a brief section toward the end, offering a slight change from the interstate experience before you reach your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 405. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 114.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kittitas, WA to Renton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Everett along the way.
Everett
106.3 mi in|~1h 59m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 114.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Renton, WA before heading back.
