Renton, WA to Long Beach, WA is 163.6 miles and takes about 3h 45m via US 101, I 5, and WA 8, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast, staying within Washington state. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey for a single day. With a manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for a relatively quick escape to the coast.
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
81.8 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 101
68.8 mi
1h 39m
I 5
49.8 mi
1h 2m
WA 8
21 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
10 mi
12m
State Route 107
7 mi
12m
I 405
2 mi
2m
Pacific Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
South Main Street
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 101
— 68.8 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Long Beach, 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, TacomaUse 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: PortlandUse 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
30 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Toward US 101: Aberdeen, Port Angeles
12
Continue on US 101
5.5 mi·6 min·US 101
13
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
14
Continue on US 12
10 mi·12 min·Olympic Highway
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward WA 107: Montesano, Raymond
16
Turn left onto WA 107
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
17
Continue on WA 107
7.0 mi·12 min·State Route 107
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 101
18 mi·25 min·US 101
Use the left lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 101
62 ft·0 sec·US 101
20
Continue on US 101
30 mi·43 min·US 101
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 101
15 mi·23 min·US 101
22
At end of road, turn right onto WA 103
1.5 mi·2 min·Pacific Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
WA 103
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 45m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is recommended to maximize your time at your destination. With only one stop suggested, you have plenty of flexibility; consider a brief break around the halfway point or when you feel the need. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before departing Renton. A key tip for this route is to be aware of the longest stretch of 68.8 miles on US 101; plan your fuel stops accordingly before entering this segment, especially if you're accustomed to more frequent service areas.
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 81.8 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.8 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 36 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Beach, 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 163.6 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 US 101 for about 68.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 98.9 — 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
5
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 405
Merge onto I 405
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
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.
6
98.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|US 101
At end of road, turn left onto US 101
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.24 one way
$68.48 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$35.91
$71.82
premium
$5.77
$37.15
$74.30
diesel
$5.61
$36.12
$72.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.1
0
$17.18
$7.85
Efficient EV
40.9
0
$14.31
$6.54
EV Truck/SUV
65.4
0
$22.90
$10.47
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
1:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Long Beach, WA
Late night
in Long Beach on Tuesday
Local time
1:53 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Aberdeen, WA
82 mi in
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
8 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
3h 45m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses site...
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 68.8 miles on US 101, offering a consistent, uninterrupted drive. While the majority is highway, expect some transitions as you navigate between I 5, WA 8, and US 101. The character of the drive is largely about covering ground efficiently, with the focus on the open road rather than winding country lanes.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.8 mi on US 101.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 101 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 163.6 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 1.5 miles (I 405): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Renton, WA and Long Beach, WA, road signs point toward Port Angeles and Raymond.
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.
Long Beach is a beachfront city in southwestern Washington State. It is the largest city on the Long Beach Peninsula, claimed to be the longest continuous beach in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 163.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.8 miles on US 101. 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 Long Beach, 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 1.5 miles (I 405): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lewis and Clark National Historical Park and Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Beach, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
