If you are planning a trip from Salmon Creek to Renton, expect a 151.4-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 33 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $32 for fuel should cover your travel costs between these two Pacific Coast locations. Because the drive relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will experience a more intimate look at the Washington landscape. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer avoiding high-speed congestion in favor of a steady, local pace.
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
75.7 miles from Salmon Creek, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
146.2 mi
2h 47m
I 405
1.3 mi
1m
Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
2m
Northeast 20th Avenue
0.4 mi
<1m
Northeast Highway 99
0.4 mi
<1m
Valley Freeway
0.2 mi
<1m
I 205
0.2 mi
<1m
Northeast 139th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 146.2 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salmon Creek, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Strand Road
264 ft·51 sec·Northeast Strand Road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 20th Avenue
93 ft·5 sec·Northeast 20th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Northeast Highway 99
0.4 mi·43 sec·Northeast Highway 99
4
Continue on Northeast 20th Avenue
0.4 mi·53 sec·Northeast 20th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto Northeast 139th Street
374 ft·10 sec·Northeast 139th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
Merge onto I 205
0.2 mi·14 sec·I 205
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 405
1.3 mi·1 min·I 405
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 2Toward WA 167 South: Renton, AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi·22 sec·Valley Freeway
17
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi·2 min·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right
39 ft·2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 2-hour and 33-minute drive lacks long highway stretches, you should plan for a steady pace that accounts for frequent turns. Given that you only have one planned stop along the way, make sure to choose your break location strategically to maximize your comfort. Leaving during off-peak hours is your best bet to avoid potential congestion on these local arterial roads. Because the fuel cost is estimated at $32, it is wise to top off your tank before departing Salmon Creek to ensure a seamless trip. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on local roads like Northeast 139th Street means you will be making several transitions throughout the journey.
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 75.7 miles from Salmon Creek, WA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.7 miles or 1h 27m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Renton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salmon Creek, 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 Salmon Creek, WA
This is one driving day of about 151.3 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Salmon Creek, 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 146.2 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 147.5 and 150 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
147.5 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
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 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
147.6 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
149.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
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 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
8
149.7 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
9
150 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue Sou...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.67 one way
$63.33 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$33.21
$66.42
premium
$5.77
$34.36
$68.72
diesel
$5.61
$33.41
$66.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.4
0
$15.89
$7.26
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
EV Truck/SUV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Salmon Creek, WA
Late night
in Salmon Creek on Sunday
Local time
1:10 AM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Late night
in Renton on Sunday
Local time
1:10 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
2h 58m 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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 151.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route utilizes Northeast 20th Avenue, Highway 99, and Northeast 139th Street to navigate toward your destination. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface streets for the entire 151.4 miles rather than cruising on wide-open freeways. The character of the road is technical and consistent, requiring you to stay alert through every turn. Expect a rhythm that feels more like a deliberate commute than a high-speed sprint across the state.
98% 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: 146.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 147.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 151.3 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 147.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 151.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m 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 146.2 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 Renton, 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 147.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Renton, WA before heading back.
