This 123.4-mile drive from Renton, WA, to West Longview, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. The majority of your journey, 94% to be exact, will be on highways, primarily utilizing I-5 and I-405 before transitioning to Ocean Beach Highway. Given the relatively short duration and focused highway profile, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a practical transit between these Pacific Coast locations. Expect a fuel cost of around $26 for this trip. With only one recommended stop, you can maintain good momentum throughout the drive.
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
61.7 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
113.5 mi
2h 12m
Ocean Beach Highway
4 mi
9m
I 405
2 mi
2m
Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
Cowlitz Way
0.6 mi
1m
North Kelso Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
46th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 113.5 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and West Longview, 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
93 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward North Kelso Avenue
12
Turn right onto North Kelso Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North Kelso Avenue
13
Continue on North Pacific Avenue
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pacific Avenue
14
Turn right onto WA 4
0.6 mi·1 min·Cowlitz Way
15
Turn right onto WA 4
4.0 mi·9 min·Ocean Beach Highway
16
Turn right onto 46th Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·46th Avenue
17
Turn left onto Windemere Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·Windemere Street
18
Turn right onto Lee Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·Lee Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Lee Avenue
Trip Plan
For this efficient 2-hour and 34-minute drive, starting your journey earlier in the day is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially around the Seattle metropolitan area near I-405. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, ensure your tank is full before departing Renton to maximize your time on the road. The longest stretch is over 113 miles on I-5, so plan for a brief break around that point if needed, rather than multiple short stops. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition from I-5 to Ocean Beach Highway, as this is where the road character shifts.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.7 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.5 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.7 miles or 1h 15m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Longview, 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 123.4 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 113.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 24.1 — 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
5
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.83 one way
$51.65 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$27.08
$54.17
premium
$5.77
$28.02
$56.04
diesel
$5.61
$27.25
$54.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37
0
$12.96
$5.92
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.80
$4.94
EV Truck/SUV
49.4
0
$17.28
$7.90
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
1:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Longview, WA
Late night
in West Longview on Tuesday
Local time
1:12 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
2 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
2h 34m 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?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with a significant 94% of the 123.4 miles on interstates and major roadways. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 113.5 miles primarily on I-5, offering a consistent driving pace. The transition to Ocean Beach Highway will introduce a change in scenery and road type as you approach your destination. The overall character is one of efficient travel, designed for covering distance smoothly rather than for leisurely exploration.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Ocean Beach Highway. 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 15 significant decision points across 123.4 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.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 123.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m 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 113.5 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 West Longview, 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 — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at West Longview, WA before heading back.
