Origin
Renton, WA
Evening in Renton on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Renton, WA to Colfax, WA
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
270.5 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, WA
Abraham Castro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Renton to Colfax spans 270.5 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is almost entirely highway-focused, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day. Expect to budget roughly $57 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily utilize I-90 and WA 26 to navigate across the state. While this works well as a direct day trip, having a one-day timeline provides enough flexibility to manage the drive without feeling overly rushed. It is a straightforward transit route that connects the Pacific Coast region to the interior of Washington.
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
135.3 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its efficiency, with 99% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will start by linking up with WA 900 and I-90 before transitioning onto the open stretches of WA 26. Be prepared for a significant push, as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip covers 133.3 miles on WA 26 alone. The road maintains a consistent pace, making it a reliable choice if you prefer highway-focused driving over technical or winding local roads. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that allows you to cover substantial ground quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 270.5 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 14 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
8
7.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
7
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Renton, WA to Colfax, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
Pullman
136.2 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 26 | 133.3 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 90 | 127.8 mi | 2h 20m |
| WA 900 | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Airport Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Sunset Boulevard North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Logan Avenue South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 133.3 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Colfax, 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 none / 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
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
WA 900
Toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 11
Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 90
128 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
15
Turn straight onto WA 26
133 mi
·
2 hr 50 min
·
WA 26
16
Continue on WA 26
415 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Walla Walla Highway
17
Merge onto US 195
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
18
Turn left onto East Spring Street
139 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Spring Street
19
Turn right
257 ft
·
18 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 27-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, checking for traffic conditions on I-90 before you depart Renton is a smart move. Given the long 133.3-mile stretch on WA 26, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before leaving the interstate to avoid any range anxiety in more remote sections. Aiming for an early morning departure will help you clear the busier stretches of the drive before midday congestion sets in. Keeping these logistics in mind will ensure a smooth, predictable transit to Colfax.
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 135.3 miles from Renton, WA, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.3 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.3 miles or 2h 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 4h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, 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 270.5 miles and 5h 27m.
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 WA 26 for about 133.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.3 mi from Renton, WA · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 135.3 miles from Renton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WA 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.3 miles.
Arriving in Colfax, WA
The final approach into Colfax, 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 Colfax, 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
$56.77 one way
$113.55 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $59.29 | $118.57 |
| premium | $5.77 | $61.46 | $122.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $60.10 | $120.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.40 | $12.98 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.67 | $10.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.2 | 1 | $37.87 | $17.31 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Colfax, WA
Evening in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
33°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
7 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
5h 27m 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 Colfax, WA covers 270.5 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 26, I 90, WA 900. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.3 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 $56.77 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 14 significant decision points across 270.5 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 Colfax, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
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