Origin
Seattle, WA
Night in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Renton, WA
Drive Time
18m
Distance
11.7 mi
19 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 17m
★
6 AM
0h 18m
8 AM
0h 22m
10 AM
0h 19m
12 PM
0h 19m
3 PM
0h 20m
5 PM
0h 21m
8 PM
0h 17m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute or a short hop within the Pacific Coast region, the 11.7-mile drive from Seattle to Renton is a straightforward trip. You can expect to reach your destination in about 18 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting for this route is simple, as you will likely spend only about $2 on fuel. The journey utilizes a mix of I-5, Martin Luther King Junior Way South, and South 132nd Street to bridge the two cities. Because the entire route remains within Washington state, it functions as a highly efficient transit corridor rather than a sprawling multi-day adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.8 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is a highway-focused journey, with 66% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-5, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 7.7 miles. The experience transitions from the dense urban atmosphere of Seattle onto faster-paced highway lanes before shifting to local roads like South 132nd Street as you approach Renton. Expect a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed over winding scenic detours. It is a practical route for those who want to navigate between these two points with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 7.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Martin Luther King Junior Way South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Spring Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 11.7 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 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Spring Street
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
8
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward Airport Way
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward Airport Way
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
7
8.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward WA 900 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 157
Toward WA 900 East
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Renton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Portland
1 mi in
|
~2m
|
via I 5
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| Martin Luther King Junior Way South | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South 132nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South 133rd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Renton Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Southwest Victoria Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Spring Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 7.7 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Renton, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
204 ft
·
11 sec
·
Madison Street
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
308 ft
·
14 sec
·
4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
Continue on I 5
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
147 ft
·
2 sec
·
I 5
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 5
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
305 ft
·
4 sec
·
I 5
Toward Airport Way
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 5
Toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 157
Toward WA 900 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto WA 900
303 ft
·
5 sec
·
Martin Luther King Junior Way South
13
Continue on WA 900
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Martin Luther King Junior Way South
Toward Renton, Martin Luther King Way
Use the none lane.
14
Turn slight left onto South 133rd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 133rd Street
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on South 132nd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 132nd Street
16
Turn slight right onto Renton Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Renton Avenue South
17
Turn slight right onto Southwest Victoria Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Southwest Victoria Street
18
Turn straight
39 ft
·
2 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 11.7-mile sprint, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire trip in under 20 minutes, so there is no need to plan for mid-route rest stops. Keep in mind that because I-5 accounts for the majority of the highway share, traffic volume can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day. Check local traffic reports before you head out to ensure the 18-minute duration remains accurate. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from I-5 onto South 132nd Street, as this shift from highway to local surface streets is where your navigation will require the most attention.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 5.8 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.7 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 11.7 miles or 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.8 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Renton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 11.7 miles and 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Seattle, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 7.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.8 mi from Seattle, WA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.8 miles from Seattle, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Renton, WA
The final approach into Renton, 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 Renton, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.46 one way
$4.91 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $2.56 | $5.13 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.66 | $5.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.60 | $5.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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 Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°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
1 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
18m 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 Seattle, WA to Renton, WA covers 11.7 miles and takes about 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Martin Luther King Junior Way South, South 132nd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.8 miles from Seattle, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.46 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 11.7 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 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Seattle, WA to Renton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
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