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Trip from Union Gap, WA to Renton, WA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 48m

Distance

145.9 mi

235 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Union Gap, WA, WA

Union Gap, WA

Jack Davis

Trip Overview

This 145.9-mile drive from Union Gap, WA, to Renton, WA, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like US 97, I-82, and I-405, this route is about 97% highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $31, it's an efficient journey across Washington's Pacific Coast region. The drive is straightforward, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B without needing an overnight stop. Expect a focused highway experience for most of your travel time.

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

73 miles from Union Gap, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 97 101.4 mi 1h 53m
I 82 35.6 mi 39m
I 405 4.9 mi 6m
Logan Avenue North 1.1 mi 2m
Airport Way South 0.4 mi <1m
North Southport Drive 0.3 mi <1m
Rudkin Road 0.3 mi <1m
East Valley Mall Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 97 — 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union Gap, WA and Renton, WA.

1

Start on this road

78 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn right

69 ft · 7 sec
3

Turn right onto East Ahtanum Road

132 ft · 7 sec · East Ahtanum Road
4

Turn right onto Main Street

353 ft · 8 sec · Main Street
5

Turn slight right

225 ft · 8 sec
6

Continue on Rudkin Road

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Rudkin Road
7

Enter roundabout onto East Valley Mall Boulevard

9 ft · 0 sec · East Valley Mall Boulevard
8

Continue on East Valley Mall Boulevard

460 ft · 9 sec · East Valley Mall Boulevard
9

Enter roundabout onto East Valley Mall Boulevard

108 ft · 2 sec · East Valley Mall Boulevard
10

Continue on East Valley Mall Boulevard

506 ft · 10 sec · East Valley Mall Boulevard
11

Enter roundabout

8 ft · 0 sec
12

Continue

0.2 mi · 25 sec
13

Merge onto I 82; US 12; US 97

4.6 mi · 5 min · I 82; US 12; US 97
14

Continue on I 82; US 97

31 mi · 33 min · I 82; US 97
15

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97

101 mi · 1 hr 53 min · US 97
Toward I 90 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 10 Toward I 405: Renton, Everett Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 405 South: Renton Use the slight left lane.
18

Merge onto I 405

4.9 mi · 6 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

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.
20

Turn right onto North Southport Drive

0.3 mi · 48 sec · North Southport Drive
Use the right lane.
21

Continue on Logan Avenue North

1.1 mi · 2 min · Logan Avenue North
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on Airport Way South

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Airport Way South
Use the left lane.
23

Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
24

Turn left

39 ft · 2 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip from Union Gap to Renton is easily completed in a single day. You can depart at your convenience, but an early start will help you avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Renton. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 100 miles, plan your fuel and restroom breaks strategically, perhaps during the transition between US 97 and I-82. The $31 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.

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 73 miles from Union Gap, WA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 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 32 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 73 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m

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 Union Gap, 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 Union Gap, WA

This is one driving day of about 145.9 miles and 2h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Union Gap, 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 US 97 for about 101.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Tanner, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tanner, WA

73 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

Kittitas, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Cle Elum, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73 miles from Union Gap, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Tina’s Kitfo, Restaurant & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seattle, Washington

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12064204871

Visit website

Anchovies and Salt

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Renton, Washington

1.5 mi

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ellensburg, Washington

2 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Renton, Washington

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12532368630

Visit website

Tina’s Kitfo, Restaurant & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12064204871

Visit website

Anchovies and Salt

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately

Renton, Washington

Hours: 12–9 pm

+14259703154

Visit website

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+15099252327

Visit website

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15099685441

Visit website

Bai Tong Thai Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Redmond, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14257478424

Visit website

Sunset Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12067220342

Visit website

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $100 or ab

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14254560010

Visit website

The Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Salish Lodge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour Expensive

Snoqualmie, Washington

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14258882556

Visit website

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Renton, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12532368630

Visit website

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Daisy Mae's Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Kent, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–5 pm

+12538725580

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.1 mi from route

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15099251777

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cle Elum, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

North Bend, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Cle Elum, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Circle K Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Central Washington Agricultural Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Union Gap, Washington

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15094578735

Visit website

Escape the Maddness

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Union Gap, Washington

Hours: Closed

+15099300432

Visit website

Dick and Jane's Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Ellensburg, Washington

+15099253224

Visit website

Sure Lock Escapes- Renton

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Renton, Washington

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+12539876899

Visit website

Wilburton Hill Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–8:30 pm

+14254526914

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 143.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

7
36.5 mi into trip | ~41m in | US 97

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 90 West
8
137.8 mi into trip | ~2h 35m 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
138.1 mi into trip | ~2h 35m 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
143.6 mi into trip | ~2h 43m 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

$30.54 one way

$61.07 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $32.02 $64.05
premium $5.77 $33.13 $66.26
diesel $5.61 $32.21 $64.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.8 0 $15.32 $7.00
Efficient EV 36.5 0 $12.77 $5.84
EV Truck/SUV 58.4 0 $20.43 $9.34

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 17, 2026

Origin

Union Gap, WA

Late night in Union Gap on Tuesday

Local time

3:45 AM

PDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Renton, WA

Late night in Renton on Tuesday

Local time

3:45 AM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Mostly Sunny

N 1 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR

Freeze Warning

Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR

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

9 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

2h 48m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 140.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 145.9-mile journey, with 97% of the drive being on major roads. You'll spend a good portion of your time on US 97, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 101.4 miles. The route transitions to I-82 and then I-405, offering a consistent, high-speed driving environment. This isn't a winding, scenic byway; it's designed for efficient travel, meaning you'll likely encounter more commercial traffic and fewer opportunities for spontaneous roadside exploration.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.4 mi on US 97.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 145.9 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 36.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Union Gap, WA to Renton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Everett along the way.

Everett

137.8 mi in | ~2h 35m

About the Cities

Arriving in Renton, WA

Full guide →

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.

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 2h 48m. Total distance: 145.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 101.4 miles on US 97. 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 36.5 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.8 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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