Origin
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Saturday
Local time
12:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Cle Elum, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
82.8 mi
133 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Renton, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Cle Elum, WA
Joshua hansome Adroit
Trip Overview
Renton to Cle Elum is 82.8 miles and takes about 1h 39m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington's Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive. It's a short excursion, mostly on a major highway, making it an easy option for a quick getaway or a day trip without needing an overnight stay. You'll find it's a practical route for getting from the Seattle metro area toward Eastern Washington.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.4 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 72.9 mi | 1h 22m |
| WA 900 | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 2nd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Sunset Boulevard North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Logan Avenue South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 72.9 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 125 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,530 veh/hr typical · worst 3,416
Quietest
2 AM
~139 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Cle Elum, 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
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
WA 900
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
73 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Exit 84: Cle Elum, South Cle Elum
15
Continue on West 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
West 1st Street
16
Turn left onto North Pine Street
488 ft
·
23 sec
·
North Pine Street
17
Turn right onto WA 903
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
18
Turn right
206 ft
·
15 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 39m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, would allow you to arrive in Cle Elum with plenty of daylight. Since the longest stretch on the highway is 72.9 miles, you might not need many stops, but if you do, consider stopping before you hit that long segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $17, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on the WA 900 segment, as it's a small portion of the route before merging onto I 90.
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 41.4 miles from Renton, WA, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.9 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.4 miles or 50m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cle Elum, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Renton, WA
This is one driving day of about 82.8 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Renton, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 72.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.4 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 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.9 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 8.1 — 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
8
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
7
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.43 one way
$34.87 round trip
$5.35/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.56 | $18.11 | $36.22 |
| premium | $5.76 | $18.76 | $37.53 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $18.25 | $36.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.25 | $3.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.59 | $5.30 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Cle Elum, WA
Late night in Cle Elum on Saturday
Local time
12:23 AM
PDT
Current temp
51°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
6 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
1h 39m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 96% of the 82.8 miles on I 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 72.9 miles on I 90 before transitioning. Expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on this major interstate, likely with dense traffic near the start and then transitioning to more open cruising as you head east. The final few miles will involve surface streets like North 3rd Street in Cle Elum.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.9 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 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
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 82.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.5 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,625 ft
46 ft
Total Climb
3,079 ft
Total Descent
1,214 ft
Highest Point
2,625 ft
~53.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,580 ft
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 Cle Elum, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Spokane along the way.
Spokane
7.8 mi in
|
~12m
About the Cities
Starting in Renton, WA
Full guide →Founded 1875
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.
Top landmarks
- • Renton History Museum — Museum in the city of Renton in the state of Washington, United States.
Arriving in Cle Elum, WA
Full guide →Founded 1902
Cle Elum is a city in the North Central Cascades of Washington State. This sawmill and railroad town is a popular base for outdoor recreation. This article also includes the neighboring town of Roslyn, a coal-mining company town that retained enough charm through the years to become an occasional filming location. It was most prominently used for the 90's TV sitcom Northern Exposure.
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 39m. Total distance: 82.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m 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 72.9 miles on I 90. 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 Cle Elum, 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 0.7 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 Cle Elum, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. 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
Continue From Cle Elum, WA
Explore more options from Renton, WA or browse trips ending in Cle Elum, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.