Traveling from Renton to Sunnyside covers 168.2 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes of drive time. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate via Rainier Avenue South, the Valley Freeway, and I-405 South to begin your journey. Budgeting around $35 for fuel should cover your travel costs for the one-way trip. Since both endpoints are located within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your transit. It is a straightforward trek that balances local road navigation with freeway connectivity.
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
84.1 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m 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
Northeast 58th Street
2 mi
3m
I 405
2 mi
2m
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Northeast 53rd Street
1.5 mi
2m
Northeast 292nd Avenue
1.3 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 Sunnyside, 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
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: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 32Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen RoadUse 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
2.0 mi·3 min·Northeast 58th Street
21
Continue on WA 500
0.2 mi·17 sec·Northeast 232nd Avenue
22
Continue on WA 500
0.2 mi·22 sec·Northeast 54th Street
23
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 500
356 ft·12 sec·Northeast 237th Avenue
24
Turn left onto Northeast 53rd Street
1.1 mi·1 min·Northeast 53rd Street
25
Continue on Northeast Bradford Road
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Bradford Road
26
Continue on Northeast 53rd Street
0.4 mi·36 sec·Northeast 53rd Street
27
Continue on Northeast 292nd Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·Northeast 292nd Avenue
28
Turn left onto Northeast Stauffer Road
139 ft·3 sec·Northeast Stauffer Road
29
Arrive at destination
Northeast Stauffer Road
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 3-hour and 23-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and stay alert. You will find that the lack of highway miles makes the trip feel longer than the mileage suggests, so factor in extra time for traffic on local roads. Since your fuel budget is estimated at $35, keeping your gas tank filled before departing Renton will ensure a smoother trip. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of a major highway corridor allows you to adjust your pace as needed. Prioritize leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up the entirety of your route.
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 84.1 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 40m 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 84.1 miles or 1h 40m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunnyside, 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 168.2 miles and 3h 23m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 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
$35.20 one way
$70.41 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$36.92
$73.84
premium
$5.77
$38.20
$76.39
diesel
$5.61
$37.14
$74.27
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: 58.9 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
50.5
0
$17.66
$8.07
Efficient EV
42.1
0
$14.72
$6.73
EV Truck/SUV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sunnyside, WA
Late night
in Sunnyside on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 23m 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.
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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Because this route involves 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roadways for the duration of the 168.2-mile distance. The experience is defined by frequent turns and varied local road conditions rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. You should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that contrasts sharply with standard highway commuting. This technical profile makes the trip feel more like a deliberate navigation through local infrastructure than a simple point-to-point freeway haul.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
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 168.2 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 23m. Total distance: 168.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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 Sunnyside, 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.
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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Sunnyside, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
