Origin
SeaTac, WA
Night in SeaTac on Friday
Local time
10:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from SeaTac, WA to Renton, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
11m
Distance
6.3 mi
10 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 11m
★
6 AM
0h 12m
8 AM
0h 14m
10 AM
0h 12m
12 PM
0h 12m
3 PM
0h 12m
5 PM
0h 14m
8 PM
0h 11m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
SeaTac, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from SeaTac to Renton is a quick 6.3-mile trip that typically takes just 11 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is so brief, this route is perfect for a single-day excursion and requires no overnight stops. You will navigate through the Pacific Coast region, moving between these two Washington hubs with ease. Budgeting for this drive is incredibly simple, as you will likely spend only about $1 on fuel. It is an ideal, straightforward commute for those looking to move efficiently between these locations without any complex planning required.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
This 6.3-mile drive is an easy same-day round trip, perfect for a quick weekend getaway, taking only about 11 minutes.
Family Friendly
With a 10/10 complexity rating, navigating this 6.3-mile route might be challenging with kids, though the short 11-minute drive is a plus.
Solo Traveler
While the distance is comfortable for a solo traveler at just 6.3 miles, the 10/10 complexity might make it less engaging than desired.
EV Driver
This route is extremely short at 6.3 miles, making it easily manageable on a single charge without needing any EV DC fast chargers.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between highway speeds and local traffic flow. You will spend roughly 45% of your journey on major thoroughfares, including I-405 and WA-518, before transitioning onto Rainier Avenue South. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 1.5-mile segment on I-405, which provides a brief period of steady speed. This route balances the fast pace of interstate travel with the more measured feel of surface streets. You will find that the character of the road changes quickly as you shift from the busier highway environment into the local access roads nearing Renton.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 405 is the longest continuous segment at about 1.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
433 ft
26 ft
Total Climb
41 ft
Total Descent
428 ft
Highest Point
433 ft
Elevation Range
407 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South 170th Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 6.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 11m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 170th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 170th Street
At end of road, turn left onto South 170th Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
WA 518
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518 toward I 405 North: Renton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 405 North: Renton
8
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
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 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
8
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
9
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue Sou...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between SeaTac, WA and Renton, WA, road signs point toward Auburn and Rainier Avenue South.
Auburn
4.3 mi in
|
~7m
Rainier Avenue South
4.7 mi in
|
~7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| WA 518 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Rainier Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| International Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Valley Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 170th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 32nd Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 405
— 1.5 mi, about 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between SeaTac, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on this road
140 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
52 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn left onto 32nd Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
32nd Avenue South
4
At end of road, turn left onto South 170th Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South 170th Street
5
Turn right onto WA 99
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
International Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward WA 518 East
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto WA 518
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 518
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 518
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
WA 518
Toward I 405 North: Renton
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on I 405
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 405
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto WA 167
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Valley Freeway
14
Continue on WA 167
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Rainier Avenue South
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right
39 ft
·
2 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.32 one way
$2.64 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $1.38 | $2.77 |
| premium | $5.77 | $1.43 | $2.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 1.9 | 0 | $0.66 | $0.30 |
| Efficient EV | 1.6 | 0 | $0.55 | $0.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.88 | $0.40 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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.
Destination
Renton, WA
Night in Renton on Friday
Local time
10:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
12 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
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 SeaTac, WA to Renton, WA covers 6.3 miles and takes about 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 405, WA 518, Rainier Avenue South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.1 miles from SeaTac, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 6.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 11m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South 170th Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles (WA 518): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between SeaTac, WA and Renton, WA, road signs point toward Auburn and Rainier Avenue South.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 26 ft to 433 ft elevation with about 41 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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