Renton, WA to Waitsburg, WA is 282.1 miles and takes about 5h 33m via I 90, I 82, and US 97, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, beginning in the Pacific Coast region and ending in a similar climate. Expect a drive that is predominantly on major highways, making for efficient travel. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal complexity.
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
141 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
100.5 mi
1h 51m
I 82
64.1 mi
1h 8m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
State Route 124
35.5 mi
52m
US 12
23.2 mi
25m
State Highway 124
7.7 mi
11m
WA 900
6.2 mi
8m
Lewis and Clark Trail
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Waitsburg, 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
101 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 82; US 12
16
Take the exit onto US 12
23 mi·25 min·US 12
Exit 102Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, PascoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 12
3.0 mi·3 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
19
Turn slight right onto WA 124
13 ft·0 sec·State Route 124
20
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 124
36 mi·52 min·State Route 124
21
Continue on WA 124
0.8 mi·1 min·West Second Street
22
Continue on WA 124
7.7 mi·11 min·State Highway 124
23
Continue on WA 124
0.4 mi·40 sec·West 2nd Street
24
At end of road, turn right onto WA 124
143 ft·7 sec·Main Street
25
Turn left onto WA 124
434 ft·12 sec·Preston Avenue
26
Turn left onto Coppei Avenue
107 ft·4 sec·Coppei Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Coppei Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 33-minute drive time, leaving Renton in the morning should allow you to reach Waitsburg well before evening. With just one recommended stop and the drive being mostly highway, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Waitsburg, as services can become less frequent in rural areas. The $55 fuel estimate is based on the 282.1 miles, so it's a good baseline for your budget. Consider the longest stretch of 100.5 miles on I 90 as a good point to assess your need for a break or fuel.
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 141 miles from Renton, WA, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 62 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waitsburg, 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 282.1 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 100.5 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 0.7 and 210.9 — 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.
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
7
108.9 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
8
210.9 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
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 102
Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.35 one way
$120.70 round trip
$5.43/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$63.08
$126.17
premium
$5.89
$65.43
$130.85
diesel
$6.28
$69.70
$139.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.6
1
$29.62
$13.54
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
EV Truck/SUV
112.8
1
$39.49
$18.05
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Thursday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Waitsburg, WA
Late night
in Waitsburg on Thursday
Local time
3:33 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 1 mph1% chanceLive 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
3 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
5h 33m 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 98% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. You'll experience a longest stretch of 100.5 miles on I 90, so plan for extended periods of steady cruising. The transition to surface roads, if any, will likely occur very near your destination. Expect to notice the general flow of interstate traffic and the consistent speed limits for the vast majority of your drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 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 18 significant decision points across 282.1 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,461 ft46 ft
Total Climb
3,757 ft
Total Descent
2,547 ft
Highest Point
2,461 ft
~60.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,415 ft
Notable High Points
2,180 ft at ~120.9 miles+573 ft prominence
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 Waitsburg, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 282.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Waitsburg, 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 14 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waitsburg, WA before the return drive.
