Origin
Spokane, WA
Morning in Spokane on Friday
Local time
7:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Spokane, WA to Renton, WA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
278.6 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spokane, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Renton, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
Spokane to Renton is 278.6 miles and takes about 5 hours 9 minutes via I-90, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Washington, connecting the Pacific Coast regions of eastern and western Washington. It's a predominantly highway drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on I-90, so plan for consistent travel rather than frequent scenic detours.
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
139.3 miles from Spokane, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 269.6 mi | 4h 53m |
| I 405 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Logan Avenue North | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Monroe Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Southport Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Freeway Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 269.6 mi, about 4h 53m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 165 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,831 veh/hr typical · worst 2,544
Quietest
2 AM
~110 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Spokane, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on South Gorge Trail
157 ft
·
21 sec
·
South Gorge Trail
2
Turn right
26 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
464 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Main Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Monroe Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Monroe Street
5
Turn slight right onto West Freeway Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Freeway Avenue
6
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue
188 ft
·
5 sec
·
West Freeway Avenue
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 90; US 2; US 395
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 90; US 395
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
211 mi
·
3 hr 50 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 405 South: Renton
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 405
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 5
Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Southport Drive
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on Logan Avenue North
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on Airport Way South
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left
39 ft
·
2 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 5-hour duration, leaving Spokane in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Renton with plenty of daylight. With a single day recommended and most of the drive on I-90, you can comfortably complete this trip without needing to stop overnight. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the longest stretch on I-90 is nearly 270 miles; the estimated fuel cost is $57. The final portion of your drive will involve navigating surface roads like Logan Avenue North, so be prepared for potential traffic as you enter the Renton area.
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 139.3 miles from Spokane, WA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 269.6 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 61 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 33m 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 10m
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 Spokane, 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 Spokane, WA
This is one driving day of about 278.6 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Spokane, 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 269.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.3 miles from Spokane, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 269.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 276.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Freeway Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto West Freeway Avenue toward I 90 West: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
6
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
270.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
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 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
7
270.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 405 South: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 South: Renton
8
276.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
Take the exit toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset Boulevard Northeast
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 5
Toward WA 900 East: Park Avenue North, Sunset B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.66 one way
$117.32 round trip
$5.35/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.56 | $60.94 | $121.88 |
| premium | $5.76 | $63.13 | $126.27 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $61.41 | $122.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.25 | $13.37 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.38 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $39.00 | $17.83 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Morning in Renton on Friday
Local time
7:56 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°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
7 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
5h 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 99% highway share. You'll stay on I-90 for the longest stretch, covering 269.6 miles. The transition to surface streets will occur near the end of your trip, on Logan Avenue North as you approach Renton. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, with the potential for merging traffic as you get closer to the Seattle metropolitan area.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 269.6 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 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near West Freeway Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 278.6 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 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,485 ft
46 ft
Total Climb
2,199 ft
Total Descent
3,989 ft
Highest Point
2,485 ft
~218.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,439 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Spokane, WA
Full guide →Founded 1871
Spokane is the second-largest city in Washington State, and the largest between Seattle and Minneapolis. It is the economic hub of the "Inland Empire", a name used for Eastern Washington and the Idaho Panhandle (pre-dating by nearly a century the use of the same title by a region in Southern California). It is at the north edge of the Palouse, where gently rolling hills of wheat fields end at the Spokane River valley. This article also includes the suburbs of Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.
Top landmarks
- • Monroe Street Bridge — bridge in Spokane, Washington
- • Montvale Hotel — hotel in Spokane, Washington
- • Manito Park and Botanical Gardens — park in Spokane, Washington state, USA
Arriving in Renton, WA
Full guide →Founded 1875
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 278.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 269.6 miles on I 90. 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 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 0.6 miles (West Freeway Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 59.5 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 270.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Renton, WA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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