Spanning 157.4 miles, this journey from Orchards to Renton is a straightforward drive that typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Pacific Coast region, you will remain within a familiar coastal environment throughout the trek. It is a practical option if you prefer navigating local roads over standard interstate travel.
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
78.8 miles from Orchards, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
146.2 mi
2h 47m
I 205
6.1 mi
7m
I 405
1.3 mi
1m
Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
Northeast Gher Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Valley Freeway
0.2 mi
<1m
WA 500
0.1 mi
<1m
Northeast Covington Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 146.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orchards, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on this road
125 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Northeast 109th Avenue
44 ft·8 sec·Northeast 109th Avenue
3
Turn left onto Northeast Rosewood Avenue
236 ft·14 sec·Northeast Rosewood Avenue
4
Turn left onto Northeast Covington Road
0.1 mi·15 sec·Northeast Covington Road
5
Continue on Northeast Gher Road
0.2 mi·36 sec·Northeast Gher Road
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward WA 500 West
7
Merge onto WA 500
0.1 mi·12 sec·WA 500
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 205 North: SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 205
6.1 mi·7 min·I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 405
1.3 mi·1 min·I 405
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 2Toward WA 167 South: Renton, AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi·22 sec·Valley Freeway
19
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi·2 min·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right
39 ft·2 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one planned stop required, you can easily pace yourself to avoid fatigue on the winding local roads. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Northeast 109th Avenue, Northeast Rosewood Avenue, and Northeast Covington Road to ensure you stay on track. Because the route relies entirely on local infrastructure, check for any local traffic or construction updates before you leave Orchards to ensure your 2-hour and 38-minute travel time stays accurate.
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 78.8 miles from Orchards, WA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.8 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 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 Orchards, 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 Orchards, WA
This is one driving day of about 157.5 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Orchards, 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 5 for about 146.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.7 and 156.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
153.8 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
155.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
155.9 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
156.2 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
$32.96 one way
$65.93 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$34.57
$69.14
premium
$5.77
$35.77
$71.53
diesel
$5.61
$34.77
$69.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.1 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
47.3
0
$16.54
$7.56
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.78
$6.30
EV Truck/SUV
63
0
$22.05
$10.08
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Orchards, WA
Evening
in Orchards on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Evening
in Renton on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 3 mph2% chanceLive 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
7 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
3h 5m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 157.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical highway commute, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads like Northeast 109th Avenue, Northeast Rosewood Avenue, and Northeast Covington Road. Because the drive is defined by its turn-heavy profile, you will need to stay alert and engaged behind the wheel rather than settling into a monotonous interstate rhythm. The shifting nature of these local surface streets makes the trip feel more involved and hands-on than a high-speed interstate sprint.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 157.5 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 153.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 157.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m 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 146.2 miles on I 5. 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 153.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.5 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 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Renton, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
