Origin
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Chico, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
59.8 mi
96 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chico, WA
Boko Shots
Trip Overview
This 59.8-mile drive from Renton to Chico, Washington, is a quick trip, estimated to take around 1 hour and 19 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, with 94% of the journey on major roads like WA 16 and I-5. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, with no need for an overnight stay. Expect a fuel cost of approximately $13 for this segment. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll remain in a familiar environment throughout your travels.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 16 | 28.3 mi | 36m |
| I 5 | 21.6 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 3 Northwest | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| I 405 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Chico Way Northwest | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Valley Freeway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 16
— 28.3 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Chico, WA.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
71 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left
98 ft
·
12 sec
4
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
5
Continue on WA 167
324 ft
·
7 sec
·
Valley Freeway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 405
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto WA 16
28 mi
·
36 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on WA 3
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 3 Northwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Chico Way, Chico
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Chico Way Northwest
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Chico Way Northwest
17
Arrive at destination
Chico Way Northwest
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.9 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 58.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
8
25.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
25.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
7
58.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward Chico Way, Chico
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 Chico Way, Chico
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.52 one way
$25.03 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $13.13 | $26.25 |
| premium | $5.77 | $13.58 | $27.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.20 | $26.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$13
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.9 | 0 | $6.28 | $2.87 |
| Efficient EV | 15 | 0 | $5.23 | $2.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.37 | $3.83 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Chico, WA
Late night in Chico on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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 19m 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 59.8-mile trip. You'll spend 94% of your time on major arteries, including WA 16 and I-5, with a notable uninterrupted stretch of 28.3 miles on WA 16. This means consistent speed and minimal distractions for much of the journey. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, be aware that the transition between these main roads will shape the overall feel of your drive, offering a blend of efficient travel.
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: 28.3 mi on WA 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 16 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Chico, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
Bremerton
25.4 mi in
|
~33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 59.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.3 miles on WA 16. 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 Chico, 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.4 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 Chico, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Chico, WA
Explore more options from Renton, WA or browse trips ending in Chico, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.