Trip from Renton, WA to College Place, WA

Drive Time

5h 6m

Distance

269.8 mi

434 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 53m ★

6 AM

5h 7m

8 AM

5h 34m

10 AM

5h 16m

12 PM

5h 14m

3 PM

5h 18m

5 PM

5h 33m

8 PM

4h 59m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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College Place, WA

david hou

Trip Overview

Traveling from Renton to College Place covers 269.8 miles across Washington state. With a drive time of approximately 5 hours and 6 minutes, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey. You will spend the vast majority of your time—about 98%—on major highways, specifically I-90, I-82, and US-12. Budgeting roughly $57 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since the route stays entirely within the Pacific Coast region, you won't face drastic climate shifts, though the transition from the Puget Sound area toward the inland regions is notable. It is a straightforward trek that serves as a reliable connection between these two points.

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

134.9 miles from Renton, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, offering a consistent and efficient pace for the duration of your trip. You will encounter a mix of interstate transit and highway driving, with your longest uninterrupted stretch lasting 100.5 miles while on I-90. Because 98% of the route is highway-based, expect a predictable experience behind the wheel rather than technical or winding local roads. The character of the drive shifts as you move from the more densely populated areas near Renton to the open stretches connected by I-82 and US-12. It is a functional, high-speed transit route that prioritizes getting you to your destination with minimal detours.

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

There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 100.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. 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 19 significant decision points across 269.8 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 0.7 miles (North 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

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

0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | North 3rd Street

Turn right onto North 3rd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

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

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

108.9 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | US 97

Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima

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 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima

210.9 mi into trip | ~3h 56m in | US 12

Take the exit onto US 12 toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco

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 102 Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco

Towns Along This Route

Between Renton, WA and College Place, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.

I‑182 East

210.9 mi in | ~3h 56m | via US 12

Pasco

210.9 mi in | ~3h 56m | via US 12

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	100.5 mi	1h 51m
I 82	64.1 mi	1h 8m
US 12	54.8 mi	1h 2m
US 97	37.8 mi	42m
WA 900	6.2 mi	8m
Wallula Avenue	2.1 mi	3m
Old Highway 12	1.2 mi	2m
North 3rd Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 100.5 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

63 ft · 5 sec · this road

Turn left

71 ft · 8 sec

Turn left

98 ft · 9 sec

Turn right onto Rainier Avenue South

520 ft · 12 sec · Rainier Avenue South

Turn right onto Airport Way

0.4 mi · 1 min · Airport Way

Continue on Logan Avenue South

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Logan Avenue South

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto North 3rd Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North 3rd Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto WA 900

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Sunset Boulevard North

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Sunset Boulevard North

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 11 Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 90 East: Spokane Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 90

101 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 90

Use the none lane.

Take the exit onto US 97

38 mi · 42 min · US 97

Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12

64 mi · 1 hr 8 min · I 82; US 12

Take the exit onto US 12

55 mi · 1 hr 2 min · US 12

Exit 102 Toward I‑182 east, US 12 east: Richland, Pasco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Spalding Road

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Spalding Road

Turn left onto Old Highway 12

1.2 mi · 2 min · Old Highway 12

Turn right onto Wallula Avenue

2.1 mi · 3 min · Wallula Avenue

Enter roundabout

17 ft · 0 sec

Continue

103 ft · 4 sec

Continue on North College Avenue

0.2 mi · 23 sec · North College Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto North College Avenue

0.3 mi · 40 sec · North College Avenue

Turn left onto East Whitman Drive

61 ft · 1 sec · East Whitman Drive

Arrive at destination

East Whitman Drive

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 6-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the longest stretch is over 100 miles, timing your break to coincide with the transition between major highway segments can help keep your energy levels consistent. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you exit the Renton area. Keep your fuel budget of $57 in mind, and consider filling up before you hit the more remote stretches of the route to avoid fluctuating prices. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the lack of complex navigation allows you to easily adjust your pace to fit your schedule.

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 134.9 miles from Renton, WA, or about 2h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.5 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 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 134.9 miles or 2h 34m 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 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Place, 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 269.8 miles and 5h 6m.

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 90 for about 100.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 134.9 mi from Renton, WA · 2h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

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

Monroe, WA

Fuel and coffee

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

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.9 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 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.5 miles.

Arriving in College Place, WA

The final approach into College Place, 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 College Place, 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

$56.63 one way

$113.25 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.57	$59.13	$118.27
premium	$5.77	$61.30	$122.60
diesel	$5.64	$59.94	$119.88

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: 94.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	80.9	0	$28.33	$12.95
Efficient EV	67.5	0	$23.61	$10.79
EV Truck/SUV	107.9	1	$37.77	$17.27

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Renton, WA

Evening in Renton on Sunday

Local time

6:09 PM

PDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

College Place, WA

Evening in College Place on Sunday

Local time

6:09 PM

PDT

Current temp

37°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

3 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 6m 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 College Place, WA covers 269.8 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, I 82, US 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 134.9 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 $56.63 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.

Between Renton, WA and College Place, WA, road signs point toward I‑182 East and Pasco.

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Return Trip

College Place, WA to Renton, WA

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269 mi 5h 6m

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Trip from Renton, WA to College Place, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in College Place, WA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Renton, WA

College Place, WA

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 6m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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