Origin
Burien, WA
Night in Burien on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burien, WA to Renton, WA
Drive Time
12m
Distance
7.8 mi
12 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 11m
★
6 AM
0h 12m
8 AM
0h 14m
10 AM
0h 13m
12 PM
0h 13m
3 PM
0h 13m
5 PM
0h 14m
8 PM
0h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burien, WA
BM Amaro
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick connection across the Pacific Coast region, the 7.8-mile drive from Burien to Renton is a breeze. Clocking in at just 12 minutes, this trip is best suited as a simple day outing that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via State Route 518, I-405, and Rainier Avenue South. With a fuel cost of only $2, it is an incredibly economical route to manage. Since the distance is so short, you won't need to worry about planning for any formal stops along the way. It is a straightforward, practical commute that moves you between these two Washington cities with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
3.9 miles from Burien, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 69% of this 7.8-mile journey takes place on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during your 3.4-mile trek on State Route 518, which sets the pace for the majority of the drive. While the route transitions from the arterial flow of the highway onto local surface streets like Rainier Avenue South, the transition is quick and direct. You won't encounter a monotonous long-haul grind here; instead, the drive feels like a efficient transit between two neighboring urban hubs. Behind the wheel, you will notice a fast-paced environment that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity over winding, leisurely backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Route 518 is the longest continuous segment at about 3.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Route 518 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near WA 518.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 7 significant decision points across 7.8 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 4 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
WA 518
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518 toward I 405 North: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 North: Renton
8
5.7 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
6.2 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
6.4 mi into trip
|
~8m 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...
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge onto WA 167 / Valley Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Burien, WA and Renton, WA, road signs point toward Auburn and Rainier Avenue South.
Auburn
5.7 mi in
|
~7m
Rainier Avenue South
6.2 mi in
|
~8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Route 518 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| I 405 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Southwest 148th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| WA 518 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Valley Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Route 518
— 3.4 mi, about 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burien, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on Southwest 148th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest 148th Street
Use the none lane.
2
Continue on WA 518
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Route 518
Use the none lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
WA 518
Toward I 405 North: Renton
Use the slight left lane.
4
Continue on I 405
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Valley Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left / none lanes.
10
Turn right
39 ft
·
2 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is such a brief 12-minute trip, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You do not need to budget for extra rest breaks or extensive refueling, given the low $2 cost to complete the full 7.8 miles. Keep in mind that since there are zero scheduled stops on this route, you should ensure your vehicle is ready to go before leaving Burien. If you find yourself hitting traffic on I-405, remain patient, as the total duration is short enough that delays rarely add significant time to your journey. Use the brevity of this drive to your advantage by planning your arrival in Renton around your specific schedule needs rather than worrying about road fatigue.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 3.9 miles from Burien, WA, or about 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.4 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 7.8 miles or 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.9 miles or 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9m
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 Burien, 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 Burien, WA
This is one driving day of about 7.8 miles and 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Burien, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on State Route 518 for about 3.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.9 mi from Burien, WA · 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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
Arriving in Renton, WA
The final approach into Renton, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Renton, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.64 one way
$3.27 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $1.71 | $3.42 |
| premium | $5.77 | $1.77 | $3.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.73 | $3.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.82 | $0.37 |
| Efficient EV | 2 | 0 | $0.68 | $0.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Night in Renton on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°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
12m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Burien, WA to Renton, WA covers 7.8 miles and takes about 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Route 518, I 405, Rainier Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.9 miles from Burien, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 7 significant decision points across 7.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Burien, WA and Renton, WA, road signs point toward Auburn and Rainier Avenue South.
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