Origin
Renton, WA
Late night in Renton on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Bellingham, WA
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
99.7 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellingham, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 99.7-mile journey from Renton, WA, to Bellingham, WA, is easily manageable as a single-day road trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. The route relies heavily on major highways, with 96% of it being on interstates and state routes like I-5, WA-900, and I-405. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical option for exploring the Pacific Coast region within Washington state. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward and efficient way to get from point A to point B. Given its relatively short length and highway nature, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay.
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
49.9 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 99.7-mile route. Ninety-six percent of your travel will be on major roads, including I-5, which hosts the longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.2 miles. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and a straightforward driving experience for the majority of your trip. While the primary roads are interstates, you'll also navigate segments of WA-900 and I-405, offering a slight variation in the highway landscape. The character is less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel on well-maintained, high-speed roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 70.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 900. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near North 3rd Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 99.7 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.7 miles (WA 900): 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.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 3rd Street
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
WA 900
Take the ramp onto WA 900 toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
6
16.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
27 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
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.
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Co...
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 Bellingham, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.
Vancouver British Columbia
27 mi in
|
~36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 70.2 mi | 1h 22m |
| WA 900 | 15 mi | 19m |
| I 405 | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Holly Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dupont Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Lakeway Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 70.2 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Bellingham, WA.
1
Start on this road
63 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
71 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn left
98 ft
·
9 sec
4
Turn right onto Rainier Avenue South
520 ft
·
12 sec
·
Rainier Avenue South
5
Turn right onto Airport Way
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Airport Way
6
Continue on Logan Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Logan Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 3rd Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto WA 900
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard North
Use the left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard North
10
Take the ramp onto WA 900
15 mi
·
19 min
·
WA 900
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 405
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 North: Everett, Vancouver British Columbia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
70 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 253
Toward Lakeway Drive
16
Turn right onto King Street
471 ft
·
9 sec
·
King Street
17
Turn right onto Lakeway Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeway Drive
18
Continue on East Holly Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holly Street
19
Turn right onto Bay Street
77 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bay Street
20
Turn left onto Prospect Street
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Prospect Street
21
Continue on Dupont Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Dupont Street
22
Arrive at destination
Dupont Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 5-minute drive, leaving Renton in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon congestion on I-5. Since the route is mostly highway with no designated stops, you can easily pace yourself and make spontaneous detours if you see something interesting along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 70.2-mile stretch on I-5, as services can be more spread out on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost of $21 makes this a budget-friendly trip, so you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling stops.
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 49.9 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.2 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.9 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellingham, 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.
+
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 99.7 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Renton, 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 I 5 for about 70.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.9 mi from Renton, WA · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 49.9 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 70.2 miles.
Arriving in Bellingham, WA
The final approach into Bellingham, 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 Bellingham, 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
$20.87 one way
$41.73 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $21.88 | $43.77 |
| premium | $5.77 | $22.64 | $45.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.01 | $44.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.47 | $4.79 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Bellingham, WA
Late night in Bellingham on Wednesday
Local time
3:30 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
19 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
2h 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 Bellingham, WA covers 99.7 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 900, 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 49.9 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 $20.87 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 15 significant decision points across 99.7 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.7 miles (WA 900): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Renton, WA to Bellingham, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Vancouver British Columbia along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bellingham, WA
More trips to Bellingham, WA
Explore more options from Renton, WA or browse trips ending in Bellingham, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Renton, WA or Bellingham, WA on MapSof.net.