Trip from Renton, WA to Carson, WA

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

4h 9m

Distance

203.2 mi

327 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 56m ★

6 AM

4h 9m

8 AM

4h 35m

10 AM

4h 18m

12 PM

4h 16m

3 PM

4h 20m

5 PM

4h 34m

8 PM

4h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Carson, WA

William Jacobs

Trip Overview

This 203.2-mile drive from Renton, WA, to Carson, WA, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 9 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5 and local highways like Evergreen Highway and Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, it's an ideal one-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, this route offers a budget-friendly excursion. The drive takes you through the Pacific Coast region, making it a convenient option for those looking to explore more of Washington state. Its manageable length and focused highway profile mean you can easily reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.

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

101.6 miles from Renton, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 203.2-mile trip, with 78% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 146.5 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. While the bulk is highway, Evergreen Highway and Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway introduce more local road characteristics as you approach Carson. This blend means you’ll likely encounter a mix of faster-paced driving and more varied scenery, though the emphasis remains on efficient travel rather than winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 27 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 146.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Evergreen Highway. 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 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 203.2 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 150.2 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

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

150.2 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | I 205

Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 205 South: Salem

160.3 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center

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 27 Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center

160.4 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WA 14 East: Camas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward WA 14 East: Camas

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 Carson, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center along the way.

City Center

160.3 mi in | ~3h 7m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 5	146.5 mi	2h 47m
Evergreen Highway	22.3 mi	31m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway	10.1 mi	13m
I 205	10.1 mi	13m
Lewis and Clark Highway	4.9 mi	6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway	2.8 mi	4m
I 405	2 mi	2m
Wind River Road	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 5 — 146.5 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Carson, WA.

Start on this road

63 ft · 5 sec · this road

Turn left

71 ft · 8 sec

Turn left

98 ft · 12 sec

Turn left onto Rainier Avenue South

0.9 mi · 2 min · Rainier Avenue South

Continue on WA 167

324 ft · 7 sec · Valley Freeway

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward I 405 South: Burien, Seattle, Tacoma Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 405

2.0 mi · 2 min · I 405

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 5 South: Portland Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

20 mi · 25 min · I 5

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 5

126 mi · 2 hr 22 min · I 5

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 205

10 mi · 13 min · I 205

Toward I 205 South: Salem Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec

Exit 27 Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward WA 14 East: Camas Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto WA 14

5.6 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on WA 14

3.9 mi · 5 min · Lewis and Clark Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto WA 14

85 ft · 1 sec · Lewis and Clark Highway

Continue on WA 14

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lewis and Clark Highway

Enter roundabout onto WA 14

102 ft · 1 sec · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway

Continue on WA 14

4.5 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway

Continue on WA 14

22 mi · 31 min · Evergreen Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WA 14

0.7 mi · 2 min · 2nd Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on WA 14

2.8 mi · 4 min · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway

Enter roundabout onto Wind River Road

196 ft · 8 sec · Wind River Road

Toward Carson

Continue on Wind River Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Wind River Road

Toward Carson

Turn right onto Hot Springs Avenue

270 ft · 9 sec · Hot Springs Avenue

Turn right onto 1st Street

196 ft · 8 sec · 1st Street

Arrive at destination

1st Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, starting your drive from Renton in the morning is a good strategy to maximize daylight and arrive in Carson with ample time. While only one stop is factored into the duration, the longest stretch of 146.5 miles on I-5 means you'll want to plan for a fuel and rest break. Consider topping off your tank before departing Renton, as fuel prices can fluctuate. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the pressure of an extended journey.

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 101.6 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.5 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 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.6 miles or 1h 59m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carson, 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 203.2 miles and 4h 9m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 146.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 101.6 mi from Renton, WA · 1h 59m into the drive

city in Clark County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ridgefield, WA

102 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

Centralia, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centralia, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.6 miles from Renton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.5 miles.

Arriving in Carson, WA

The final approach into Carson, 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 Carson, 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

$42.53 one way

$85.06 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$44.60	$89.20
premium	$5.77	$46.14	$92.29
diesel	$5.61	$44.86	$89.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61	0	$21.34	$9.75
Efficient EV	50.8	0	$17.78	$8.13
EV Truck/SUV	81.3	1	$28.45	$13.00

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Renton, WA

Late night in Renton on Wednesday

Local time

2:02 AM

PDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carson, WA

Late night in Carson on Wednesday

Local time

2:02 AM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

40°F

Ridgefield, WA

102 mi in

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

2 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

4h 9m 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 Renton, WA to Carson, WA covers 203.2 miles and takes about 4h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 5, Evergreen Highway, Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 101.6 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 $42.53 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.