Origin
Renton, WA
Afternoon in Renton on Wednesday
Local time
1:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Bethel, WA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
48.4 mi
78 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bethel, WA
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
This 48.4-mile drive from Renton, WA to Bethel, WA is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like I-5, WA-16, and I-405, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With a low estimated fuel cost of around $10, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region throughout, so expect consistent scenery. This journey is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
24.2 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-dominated experience on this route, with 89% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 21.6 miles on I-5, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The roads are designed for efficient travel, so while it's not a winding scenic byway, it's efficient for getting from point A to point B. The road conditions primarily consist of well-maintained interstate and state highways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.4 miles you will encounter 15 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: 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 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
8
25.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
25.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
6
45.8 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward Mullenix Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Mullenix Road
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 Renton, WA to Bethel, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
Bremerton
25.4 mi in
|
~33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 21.6 mi | 27m |
| WA 16 | 19.4 mi | 24m |
| I 405 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Bethel Burley Road Southeast | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Bethel Road Southeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Southeast Mullenix Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Valley Freeway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 21.6 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Bethel, WA.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
71 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left
98 ft
·
12 sec
4
Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
5
Continue on WA 167
324 ft
·
7 sec
·
Valley Freeway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 405
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto WA 16
19 mi
·
24 min
·
WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward Mullenix Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Southeast Mullenix Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Southeast Mullenix Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Burley Road Southeast
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Bethel Burley Road Southeast
17
Continue on Bethel Road Southeast
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bethel Road Southeast
18
Turn right onto Southeast Cedar Road
129 ft
·
3 sec
·
Southeast Cedar Road
19
Arrive at destination
Southeast Cedar Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over an hour, this trip offers great flexibility. You can leave anytime that suits your schedule, and with no designated stops, you can easily adjust your plans on the fly. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially if you're traveling during peak commuting hours on I-5 or I-405, as delays can occur. The estimated fuel cost of $10 means you likely won't need to worry about frequent stops for gas. Consider making your longest stretch on I-5 a good time to grab a quick snack or use a rest area if needed.
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 24.2 miles from Renton, WA, or about 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 11 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.2 miles or 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bethel, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Renton, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Renton, WA
This is one driving day of about 48.4 miles and 1h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 11 miles from Renton, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 21.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.2 mi from Renton, WA · 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.2 miles from Renton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bethel, WA
The final approach into Bethel, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.13 one way
$20.26 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $10.62 | $21.25 |
| premium | $5.77 | $10.99 | $21.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.69 | $21.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
| Efficient EV | 12.1 | 0 | $4.23 | $1.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.78 | $3.10 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Bethel, WA
Afternoon in Bethel on Wednesday
Local time
1:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
1h 5m 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 Renton, WA to Bethel, WA covers 48.4 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 16, 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 24.2 miles from Renton, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.13 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.4 miles you will encounter 15 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: 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 25.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Renton, WA to Bethel, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
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