Origin
Renton, WA
Night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
290.5 mi
468 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mead, WA
Dmytro Glazunov
This 290.5-mile drive from Renton, WA to Mead, WA is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 29 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 90 and the North Spokane Corridor, this highway-focused route has a 96% highway share, making it a straightforward journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $61, you can anticipate a consistent driving experience. Since the longest stretch without a significant road change is 272.9 miles on I 90, this trip is well-suited for a one-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
145.3 miles from Renton, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
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Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 290.5-mile trip, with 96% of the route being on major roadways like I 90 and the North Spokane Corridor. The drive features a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 272.9 miles along I 90, meaning long periods of consistent speed. While WA 900 offers a brief change of pace, the overall character is that of a swift, efficient transit. You'll find yourself covering ground quickly, with the road primarily facilitating travel rather than showcasing dramatic scenery.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 290.5 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900 / Sunset Boulevard North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the ramp onto WA 900 toward I 405 North, WA 900 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 272.9 mi | 4h 57m |
| WA 900 | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| North Spokane Corridor | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| North Freya Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South Freya Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Market Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North 3rd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Greene Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Renton, WA and Mead, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn left
Turn right onto Rainier Avenue South
Turn right onto Airport Way
Continue on Logan Avenue South
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Turn left onto WA 900
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 900
Take the ramp onto WA 900
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 90
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
Take the exit
Continue on East 3rd Avenue
Turn left onto South Freya Street
Continue on North Freya Way
Continue on North Greene Street
Turn right onto East Carlisle Avenue
Turn left onto North Freya Street
Enter roundabout onto East Wellesley Avenue
Continue on East Wellesley Avenue
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto Future US 395
Take the exit
Turn right onto East Parksmith Drive
Turn left onto North Market Street
Arrive at destination
Starting your journey from Renton, WA, early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach the Spokane area. With a total duration of 5 hours and 29 minutes and a longest stretch of 272.9 miles on I 90, plan for one main stop to refuel and stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $61 makes budgeting straightforward. A key consideration for this route is the consistent highway driving; ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained speeds. Be aware that the North Spokane Corridor is a newer route, so confirm any specific signage or lane configurations before your trip.
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.
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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.3 miles or 2h 42m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mead, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 290.5 miles and 5h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.3 mi from Renton, WA · 2h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 145.3 miles from Renton, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 272.9 miles.
The final approach into Mead, 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 Mead, 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.
Regular Gas
$60.80 one way
$121.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $63.76 | $127.52 |
| premium | $5.77 | $65.97 | $131.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.14 | $128.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.1 | 1 | $30.50 | $13.94 |
| Efficient EV | 72.6 | 0 | $25.42 | $11.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.2 | 1 | $40.67 | $18.59 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Renton on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Mead on Tuesday
Local time
11:52 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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