The drive from Renton, WA to Friday Harbor, WA covers 110.9 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor, WA 900 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.4 miles on I 5.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.4 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 110.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 11m highway drive covering 110.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor. The longest continuous stretch is about 43.4 miles on I 5.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 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 43.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor. 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.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 110.9 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 1.7 miles (WA 900): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These 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.
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...
7
110.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|Spring Street
Enter roundabout onto Spring Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Renton, WA and Friday Harbor, WA, road signs point toward Vancouver British Columbia, Anacortes and San Juans Ferry.
Vancouver British Columbia
27 mi in|~36m
Anacortes
83.7 mi in|~1h 48m|via State Route 20 Spur
San Juans Ferry
83.7 mi in|~1h 48m|via State Route 20 Spur
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
43.4 mi
51m
Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor
19 mi
1h 4m
WA 900
15 mi
19m
I 405
10.3 mi
12m
State Route 20
7 mi
9m
Memorial Highway
4 mi
6m
State Route 20 Spur
2.6 mi
3m
Oakes Avenue
2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 43.4 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Friday Harbor, 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 EastUse 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 ColumbiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 5
43 mi·51 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward WA 536 West: Kincaid Street
16
Turn left onto WA 536
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Kincaid Street
17
Turn right onto WA 536
0.3 mi·27 sec·South 3rd Street
18
Continue on WA 536
0.8 mi·2 min·West Division Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on WA 536
4.0 mi·6 min·Memorial Highway
20
Take the ramp onto WA 536
0.3 mi·29 sec·WA 536
21
Merge onto WA 20
7.0 mi·9 min·State Route 20
22
Keep slight right at fork onto State Route 20 Spur
2.6 mi·3 min·State Route 20 Spur
Toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
23
Turn right onto R Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·R Avenue
24
Keep slight left at fork onto R Avenue
90 ft·5 sec·R Avenue
25
Keep slight right at fork onto R Avenue
0.4 mi·58 sec·R Avenue
26
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
101 ft·5 sec·R Avenue
27
Continue on R Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·R Avenue
28
Turn left onto 20th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·20th Street
29
Turn right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.5 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
30
Turn left onto WA 20 SPUR
1.1 mi·2 min·12th Street
31
Continue on WA 20 SPUR
1.6 mi·3 min·Oakes Avenue
32
Enter roundabout onto WA 20 SPUR
99 ft·2 sec·Oakes Avenue
33
Continue on WA 20 SPUR
0.4 mi·1 min·Oakes Avenue
34
Turn slight right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.7 mi·1 min·Ferry Terminal Road
35
Turn straight onto WA 20 SPUR
301 ft·22 sec·WA 20 SPUR
36
Turn straight onto WA 20 Spur
19 mi·1 hr 4 min·Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor
37
Continue on Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal
266 ft·19 sec·Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal
38
Turn right onto Front Street South
210 ft·7 sec·Front Street South
39
Enter roundabout onto Spring Street
189 ft·6 sec·Spring Street
40
Continue on Spring Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Spring Street
41
Turn right onto Second Street South
58 ft·3 sec·Second Street South
42
Arrive at destination
Second Street South
Trip Plan
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 55.4 miles from Renton, WA, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.4 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friday Harbor, 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 110.9 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.4 mi from Renton, WA
· 1h 9m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Juan Island National Historical Park
National Historical Park
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 110.9
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 11.5
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.3
0
$11.64
$5.32
Efficient EV
27.7
0
$9.70
$4.44
EV Truck/SUV
44.4
0
$15.53
$7.10
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Renton, WA
Evening
in Renton on Friday
Local time
8:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Friday Harbor, WA
Evening
in Friday Harbor on Friday
Local time
8:40 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°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
13 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
3h 11m 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 Friday Harbor, WA covers 110.9 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor, 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 55.4 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 $23.21 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 110.9 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 1.7 miles (WA 900): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles (I 405): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Renton, WA and Friday Harbor, WA, road signs point toward Vancouver British Columbia, Anacortes and San Juans Ferry.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
