Origin
Renton, WA
Night in Renton on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Bellingham, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
99.7 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 99.7-mile journey from Renton, WA, to Bellingham, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day road trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. The route relies heavily on major highways, with 96% of it being on interstates and state routes like I-5, WA-900, and I-405. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical option for exploring the Pacific Coast region within Washington state. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B. Given its relatively short length and highway nature, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.9 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 70.2 mi | 1h 22m |
| WA 900 | 15 mi | 19m |
| I 405 | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Holly Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 70.2 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
71 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left
98 ft
·
9 sec
4
Turn right onto Rainier Avenue South
520 ft
·
12 sec
·
Rainier Avenue South
5
Turn right onto Airport Way
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Way
6
Continue on Logan Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Logan Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3rd Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto WA 900
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard North
10
Take the ramp onto WA 900
15 mi
·
19 min
·
WA 900
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 405
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
70 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
16
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
King Street
17
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeway Drive
18
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holly Street
19
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bay Street
20
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Prospect Street
21
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
22
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 5-minute drive, leaving Renton in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon congestion on I-5. Since the route is mostly highway with no designated stops, you can easily pace yourself and make spontaneous detours if you see something interesting along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 70.2-mile stretch on I-5, as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost of $21 makes this a budget-friendly trip, so you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling stops.
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 49.9 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.2 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.9 miles or 1h 3m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellingham, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Renton, 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 Renton, WA
This is one driving day of about 99.7 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Renton, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 70.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.9 miles from Renton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.2 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 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 27 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 3rd Street
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WA 900
Take the ramp onto WA 900 toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
6
16.7 mi into trip
|
~23m 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.
7
27 mi into trip
|
~36m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.87 one way
$41.73 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $21.88 | $43.77 |
| premium | $5.77 | $22.64 | $45.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.01 | $44.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.47 | $4.79 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Bellingham, WA
Night in Bellingham on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
11 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
2h 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 99.7-mile route. Ninety-six percent of your travel will be on major roads, including I-5, which hosts the longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.2 miles. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and a straightforward driving experience for the majority of your trip. While the primary roads are interstates, you'll also navigate segments of WA-900 and I-405, offering a slight variation in the highway landscape. The character is less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel on well-maintained, high-speed roads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 99.7 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.7 miles (WA 900): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Renton, WA to Bellingham, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.
Vancouver British Columbia
27 mi in
|
~36m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 99.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m 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 70.2 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 Bellingham, 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.7 miles (WA 900): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bellingham, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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