Renton to Richland is 201.5 miles and takes about 4h 4m via I 90 and State Route 243, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Pacific Coast region to another part of the Pacific Coast region, entirely within Washington State. It's a predominantly highway route, so expect a fairly straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this is easily accomplished in a single day. Consider this a quick transit between two points in the state, best suited for getting from A to B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.7 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
127.8 mi
2h 20m
State Route 243
54.2 mi
1h 12m
Vantage Highway
8.3 mi
11m
WA 900
6.2 mi
8m
Stevens Drive
1.2 mi
3m
WA 26
0.8 mi
<1m
North 3rd Street
0.6 mi
1m
Airport Way
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 127.8 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 141 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,300 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,050
Quietest
2 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Richland, 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 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 11Toward I 90: Seattle, SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward I 90 East: SpokaneUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
128 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
15
Turn straight onto WA 26
0.8 mi·59 sec·WA 26
16
Turn right onto WA 243
14 mi·21 min·State Route 243
17
Enter roundabout onto WA 243
96 ft·1 sec·State Route 243
Toward Yakima
18
Continue on WA 243
40 mi·51 min·State Route 243
Toward Yakima
19
Enter roundabout
99 ft·1 sec
20
Continue
313 ft·5 sec
21
Turn straight onto WA 240
8.3 mi·11 min·Vantage Highway
22
Continue on WA 240 Bus
0.4 mi·49 sec·Jadwin Avenue
23
Turn right onto Catskill Street
285 ft·8 sec·Catskill Street
24
Turn left onto Stevens Drive
1.2 mi·3 min·Stevens Drive
25
Turn left onto Williams Boulevard
111 ft·3 sec·Williams Boulevard
26
Arrive at destination
Williams Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over four hours and a fuel cost estimated at $45, this trip is well-suited for a same-day adventure. Leaving Renton in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Richland. Plan for just one stop, which could be a quick break rather than an extensive one. Since you're primarily on I 90 for the first 127.8 miles, you'll want to ensure you're fueled up before that long stretch, as services can be spaced out on major interstates. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the transition to State Route 243.
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 100.7 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 44 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.7 miles or 1h 55m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richland, 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 201.5 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 90 for about 127.8 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 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
$39.25 one way
$78.51 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$41.13
$82.25
premium
$5.39
$42.77
$85.53
diesel
$4.80
$38.05
$76.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.5
0
$21.16
$9.67
Efficient EV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
EV Truck/SUV
80.6
1
$28.21
$12.90
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 2 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Richland, WA
Late night
in Richland on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Patchy Smoke then Clear
W 1 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
4 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
4h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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 94% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 127.8 miles on I 90. You'll transition from the freeway to surface roads when you take State Route 243. Expect a lot of high-speed cruising with fewer exits for a significant portion of the drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 243. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near North 3rd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 201.5 miles you will encounter 16 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,539 ft46 ft
Total Climb
2,759 ft
Total Descent
2,421 ft
Highest Point
2,539 ft
~57.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,493 ft
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 Richland, WA, road signs point toward Pullman and Yakima.
Pullman
136.2 mi in|~2h 34m
Yakima
151.6 mi in|~2h 57m|via WA 243
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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.
Richland is a city of 51,000 people (2020) in the Columbia River Plateau, where the Yakima River flows into the Columbia. It is the closest city to the Hanford Nuclear Site, where development of its historic nuclear reactor lead to a large national research lab and a waste remediation effort that is the single largest construction project in the country.
Richland is one of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Kennewick and Pasco. The Tri-Cities are the third most populous metropolitan area in the state, after Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 201.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m 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 127.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Richland, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Richland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
