The drive from Forks, WA to Renton, WA covers 186.1 miles and takes about 4h 24m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 16 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.4 miles on South Forks Avenue.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
93 miles from Forks, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 186.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Forks, WA to Renton, WA covers 186.1 miles and takes about 4h 24m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Forks Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 55.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,017 ft17 ft
Total Climb
1,062 ft
Total Descent
1,322 ft
Highest Point
1,017 ft
~26.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,000 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 182.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 186.1 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 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
182.3 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
182.4 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
184.1 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
184.5 mi into trip|~4h 20m 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
184.8 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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...
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Forks Avenue
55.4 mi
1h 21m
East 1st Street
35.9 mi
53m
State Highway 16
26.5 mi
33m
State Highway 3 Northeast
23.2 mi
31m
I 5
20.9 mi
26m
State Route 104
5.2 mi
6m
State Highway 3 West
2.1 mi
3m
Hood Canal Floating Bridge
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
South Forks Avenue
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forks, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on US 101
55 mi·1 hr 21 min·South Forks Avenue
2
Take the exit onto Lauridsen Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Lauridsen Boulevard
3
Turn left onto South Race Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Race Street
4
Turn right onto US 101
36 mi·53 min·East 1st Street
5
Take the exit
8.7 mi·11 min
6
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 104
0.1 mi·9 sec·State Route 104
7
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
101 ft·1 sec·State Route 104
8
Continue on WA 104
4.9 mi·6 min·State Route 104
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
117 ft·1 sec·State Route 104
10
Continue on WA 104
0.1 mi·16 sec·State Route 104
11
Continue on WA 104
1.6 mi·2 min·Hood Canal Floating Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto WA 3
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 3 Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on WA 3
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 3 West
15
Continue on WA 16
0.2 mi·19 sec·West State Route 16
16
Continue on WA 16
27 mi·33 min·State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 5
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 5
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
21 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
21
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.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 405
1.3 mi·1 min·I 405
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 2Toward WA 167 South: Renton, AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the straight lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi·22 sec·Valley Freeway
28
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi·2 min·Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right
39 ft·2 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 93 miles from Forks, WA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 80 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
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 Forks, 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 Forks, WA
This is one driving day of about 186.1 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Forks, 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 South Forks Avenue for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93 mi from Forks, WA
· 2h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 93 miles from Forks, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
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 186.1
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of yea...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
$30
near mile 44.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.95 one way
$77.90 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$40.85
$81.69
premium
$5.77
$42.26
$84.52
diesel
$5.61
$41.09
$82.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.8
0
$19.54
$8.93
Efficient EV
46.5
0
$16.28
$7.44
EV Truck/SUV
74.4
0
$26.05
$11.91
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 13, 2026
Origin
Forks, WA
Night
in Forks on Friday
Local time
9:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Renton, WA
Night
in Renton on Friday
Local time
9:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Chance Light Rain
SW 9 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Winter Storm Watch
Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 2:38AM PDT until April 15 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Winter Storm Watch
Winter Storm Watch issued April 13 at 12:01AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland 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
10 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
4h 24m 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 Forks, WA to Renton, WA covers 186.1 miles and takes about 4h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 16. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93 miles from Forks, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.95 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 186.1 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 182.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 184.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Forks, WA to Renton, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
