Joy's Once Upon a Thyme
Around the midpoint, short detour
Chehalis, Washington
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+13607408944
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
155.8 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barberton, WA
cottonbro studio
The drive from Renton, WA to Barberton, WA covers 155.8 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, I 205, I 405 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 146.5 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
77.9 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 3m. Total distance: 155.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 3m highway drive covering 155.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and I 205. The longest continuous stretch is about 146.5 miles on I 5.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 155.8 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 146.5 mi | 2h 47m |
| I 205 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| I 405 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Andresen Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 72nd Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Padden Parkway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Valley Freeway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Barberton, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn left
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
Continue on WA 167
Take the exit
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
Take the exit
Turn right onto Northeast Padden Parkway
Turn right onto Northeast Andresen Road
Continue on Northeast 72nd Avenue
Turn right onto Northeast 99th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barberton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Renton, 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 Renton, WA
This is one driving day of about 155.8 miles and 3h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.9 mi from Renton, WA · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Renton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.5 miles.
The final approach into Barberton, 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 Barberton, 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Chehalis, Washington
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+13607408944
Hash: Centralia
Centralia, Washington
Tina’s Kitfo, Restaurant & Coffee Shop
Seattle, Washington
Top Coffee Stop
Lakewood, Washington
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 5 am–8 pm
+12534478740
Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters
Tacoma, Washington
Candor Coffee
Renton, Washington
Around the midpoint, short detour
Chehalis, Washington
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+13607408944
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Centralia, Washington
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+13606690120
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Seattle, Washington
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+12064204871
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tumwater, Washington
Hours: 11 am–8 pm
+13607099020
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Renton, Washington
Hours: 12–9 pm
+14259703154
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tumwater, Washington
Hours: Closed
+13607049232
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tumwater, Washington
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+13609158780
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Chehalis, Washington
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+13607484417
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Lakewood, Washington
Hours: 5 am–8 pm
+12534478740
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tacoma, Washington
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+12532373403
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Renton, Washington
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+12532368630
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Vancouver, Washington
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+13609524877
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Federal Way, Washington
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12064605185
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Olympia, Washington
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+13607052103
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Kent, Washington
Hours: 4:30 am–5 pm
+12538725580
Early in the drive, right off the route
Olympia, Washington
+13607539467
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tumwater, Washington
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+13607544160
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tacoma, Washington
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+12533051000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Tumwater, Washington
Hours: Closed
+13607053925
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Tacoma, Washington
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12536276031
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
McChord AFB, Washington
Hours: 12–4 pm
+12539822485
Near the start, short detour
Renton, Washington
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+12539876899
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Vancouver, Washington
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+13608333227
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$32.61 one way
$65.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $34.20 | $68.39 |
| premium | $5.77 | $35.38 | $70.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.40 | $68.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.36 | $7.48 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.63 | $6.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.81 | $9.97 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Renton on Friday
Local time
10:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:49AM PDT until April 17 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:33AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Morning in Barberton on Friday
Local time
10:01 AM
PDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Sunny
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:49AM PDT until April 17 at 8:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:33AM 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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