Origin
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Fern Prairie, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
166.8 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fern Prairie, WA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Renton, WA to Fern Prairie, WA is 166.8 miles and takes about 3h 21m via I 5 and I 205, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state and the Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable journey for most travelers. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
83.4 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 146.5 mi | 2h 47m |
| I 205 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Northeast Padden Parkway | 4 mi | 6m |
| I 405 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Ingle Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 28th Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 146.5 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Fern Prairie, 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
126 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 205
Toward I 205 South: Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 32
Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Northeast Padden Parkway
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Northeast 152nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Northeast 152nd Avenue
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on Northeast 78th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 78th Street
16
Turn right onto WA 500
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 162nd Avenue
17
Turn left onto WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto WA 500
39 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
19
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
20
Continue on WA 500
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northeast 58th Street
21
Turn right onto Northeast 199th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Northeast 199th Avenue
22
Continue on Northeast Ingle Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Ingle Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto Northeast Goodwin Road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Northeast Goodwin Road
24
Continue on Northeast 28th Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 28th Street
25
Continue on WA 500
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Northeast Dresser Road
26
Continue on WA 500
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northeast 25th Street
27
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Brunner Road
28
Continue on WA 500
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northeast 267th Avenue
29
Turn right
9 ft
·
0 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 21m duration and 166.8 miles, this trip is easily achievable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Renton to avoid needing an early stop. While there's only one recommended stop, the longest stretch is over 146 miles, so plan for a break around the halfway point if needed. Pay attention to highway signage for I 5 and I 205 as you navigate the interstate system.
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 83.4 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.5 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 37 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.4 miles or 1h 39m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fern Prairie, 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 166.8 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Renton, 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 146.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.4 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 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.5 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 154.5 — 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
6
24.1 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
150.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
154.5 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
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 32
Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.91 one way
$69.82 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $36.61 | $73.22 |
| premium | $5.77 | $37.88 | $75.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.83 | $73.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.51 | $8.01 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.60 | $6.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.35 | $10.68 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Fern Prairie, WA
Late night in Fern Prairie on Sunday
Local time
3:32 AM
PDT
Current temp
69°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
21 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
3h 21m 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 route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on interstates. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 146.5 miles on I 5, so expect consistent highway speeds for the bulk of the trip. The main roads include I 5, I 205, and Northeast Padden Parkway, indicating a route designed for efficient travel. The character is largely that of a steady, high-speed transit, with minimal deviations into slower, local roads.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 166.8 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 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 24.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 166.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.5 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 Fern Prairie, 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 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 24.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Fern Prairie, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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