Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
57.4 mi
92 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 57.4 miles, the drive from Renton to Arlington is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Because this is a compact trip within the Pacific Coast region, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing a combination of WA 900, I-405, and I-5, you can efficiently navigate between these two Washington cities. This route is designed for those who prioritize a direct, highway-focused connection over a leisurely scenic detour, making it a functional option for commuters or travelers looking to reach their destination without unnecessary delays.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 25.7 mi | 31m |
| WA 900 | 15 mi | 19m |
| I 405 | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 530 Northeast | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| WA 530 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Sunset Boulevard North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Arlington, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn left
Turn right onto Rainier Avenue South
Turn right onto Airport Way
Continue on Logan Avenue South
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Turn left onto WA 900
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900
Take the ramp onto WA 900
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Take the exit
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto WA 530
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
Continue on WA 530
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
Continue on WA 530
Enter roundabout onto West Division Street
Continue on West Division Street
Enter roundabout
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.7 miles from Renton, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 53.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp onto WA 900 toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$12.01 one way
$24.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $12.60 | $25.20 |
| premium | $5.77 | $13.03 | $26.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.67 | $25.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.03 | $2.76 |
| Efficient EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.02 | $2.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23 | 0 | $8.04 | $3.67 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
1:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
1:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 96% of this route takes place on major highways. The drive begins with local transitions before shifting into the fast-paced flow of I-405 and I-5. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 25.7 miles once you settle onto I-5, which defines the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Because the profile is strictly highway-focused, the character of the road remains consistent and predictable throughout the duration of the trip. You won't find technical winding roads here, just a steady, high-speed pace that carries you north through the regional corridor.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 900. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near North 3rd Street.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.4 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (WA 900): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Renton, WA and Arlington, WA, road signs point toward Vancouver British Columbia and Darrington.
Vancouver British Columbia
Darrington
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.
Arlington is a city in the North Sound region of Washington State.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 57.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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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