Origin
Mount Vernon, WA
Late night in Mount Vernon on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mount Vernon, 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
1h 30m
Distance
71.3 mi
115 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mount Vernon, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 71.3-mile drive from Mount Vernon, WA to Renton, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5 and I-405, with a short segment on Logan Avenue North, this route keeps you on well-traveled highways for about 94% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it’s an economical option for a quick transit between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. The journey is best suited for those prioritizing efficient travel over scenic detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.7 miles from Mount Vernon, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 42.9 mi | 50m |
| I 405 | 24 mi | 29m |
| Logan Avenue North | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Airport Way South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Southport Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Kincaid Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 42.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on North 5th Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
North 5th Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto East Fulton Street
276 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Fulton Street
3
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North 4th Street
4
Continue on WA 99
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South 2nd Street
5
Turn left onto West Kincaid Street
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Kincaid Street
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British Columbia
7
Merge onto I 5
43 mi
·
50 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
23 mi
·
28 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 5
Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left
39 ft
·
2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 71.3-mile distance and 1 hour 30 minute duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, but be mindful of typical rush hour traffic, especially as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area. The $15 fuel cost is modest, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. There are no specific recommended stops integrated into this route data, so plan your own breaks for restrooms or snacks as needed. A practical tip: monitor real-time traffic conditions on I-5 and I-405, as congestion can significantly impact your travel time despite the short mileage.
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 35.7 miles from Mount Vernon, WA, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.9 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.7 miles or 43m 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 14m
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 Mount Vernon, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mount Vernon, WA
This is one driving day of about 71.3 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Mount Vernon, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 42.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from Mount Vernon, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 69 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Fulton Street
At end of road, turn left onto East Fulton Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Kincaid Street
Turn left onto West Kincaid Street
Navigation decision point
8
44.1 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
45.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
$14.92 one way
$29.84 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.65 | $31.30 |
| premium | $5.77 | $16.19 | $32.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.74 | $31.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.49 | $3.42 |
| Efficient EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.24 | $2.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.98 | $4.56 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°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
22 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
1h 30m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 61.5
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 highway-focused profile for most of this 71.3-mile trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on major interstates, including a significant stretch of 42.9 miles on I-5. While I-405 and Logan Avenue North offer some variation, the overall character is that of a functional drive connecting two points. This route is designed for speed and efficiency, with limited opportunities for spontaneous stops off the main thoroughfares. The road maintains a consistent, high-speed environment throughout its 1 hour and 30 minute duration.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Fulton Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (East Fulton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (West Kincaid Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 1h 30m. Total distance: 71.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.9 miles on I 5. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Fulton Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (West Kincaid Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.1 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Renton, WA before heading back.
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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