Origin
Colfax, WA
Evening in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colfax, WA to Renton, WA
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
270.5 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, WA
Abraham Castro
Trip Overview
Spanning 270.5 miles across Washington state, the journey from Colfax to Renton is a straightforward drive that typically takes 5 hours and 28 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing WA 26, I-90, and I-405, you will transition from the rural landscapes of Colfax into the more densely populated regions near Renton. It is a highly efficient path that prioritizes speed and connectivity over winding backroads.
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
135.2 miles from Colfax, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its reliance on high-speed infrastructure, with 97% of the journey consisting of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on WA 26, which features the route’s longest uninterrupted stretch of 129.3 miles. As you transition from the state highway onto the major arteries of I-90 and I-405, the character of the road shifts from regional transit to heavy-traffic interstate travel. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience behind the wheel that favors directness. The lack of complex, technical road segments makes for a predictable drive, though you should remain alert during the long highway stretches.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 272 / East Canyon Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 270.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WA 272 / East Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 134.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 272 / East Canyon Street
Turn right onto WA 272 / East Canyon Street
Navigation decision point
5
134.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
262.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
262.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
268.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m 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...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 26 | 129.3 mi | 2h 44m |
| I 90 | 127.9 mi | 2h 21m |
| I 405 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Colfax Airport Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Logan Avenue North | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Fairview Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 129.3 mi, about 2h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on this road
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto WA 272
138 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Canyon Street
3
Turn left onto US 195
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
4
Continue on South Main Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Main Street
5
Turn right onto West Fairview Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Fairview Street
6
Continue on West Almota Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Almota Road
7
Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Colfax Airport Road
8
Turn left onto WA 26
129 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
WA 26
9
Continue on this road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 90
128 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
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
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 5.5-hour trek. Since the majority of your time will be spent on the highway, aiming for an early departure can help you avoid potential congestion as you approach the Renton area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 129.3-mile stretch on WA 26, as service intervals may be spaced out. Because this is a relatively long single-day commitment, having your snacks and entertainment ready before you leave Colfax will help you maintain momentum. Flexibility is your best asset on this route, so monitor traffic reports for I-90 to adjust your timing if necessary.
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 135.2 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.3 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.2 miles or 2h 55m 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 30m
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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, WA
This is one driving day of about 270.5 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colfax, 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 WA 26 for about 129.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.2 mi from Colfax, WA · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.2 miles from Colfax, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WA 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.3 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.77 one way
$113.55 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $59.29 | $118.57 |
| premium | $5.77 | $61.46 | $122.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.10 | $120.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.40 | $12.98 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.67 | $10.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.2 | 1 | $37.87 | $17.31 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Evening in Renton on Sunday
Local time
7:13 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
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 28m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Colfax, WA to Renton, WA covers 270.5 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 26, I 90, I 405. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.2 miles from Colfax, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 270.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WA 272 / East Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 134.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Colfax, WA to Renton, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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