How far is Kelso, WA from Renton, WA?

The driving distance from Kelso, WA to Renton, WA is about 118.1 miles (190.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.9 miles (157.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
118.15 mi
01h 57m
Flight
97.93 mi
157.61 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kelso.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
97.93 mi
Kilometers
157.61 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
118.15 mi
Kilometers
190.14 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Renton
Tue, May 12, 6:50 PM PDT
Return by in Kelso
Tue, May 12, 8:48 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kelso
2026-05-12T16:52
Arrive Renton
Tue, May 12, 6:50 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:34 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kelso
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Tumwater
WA

City in Thurston County, Washington, United States

From Kelso
59 mi
00h 58m
To Renton
59.2 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph NNW
Destination
82°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kelso and Renton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kelso and Renton.

  1. 1

    Start on North 4th Avenue

    10 m · 6 sec · North 4th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Cowlitz Way

    532 ft · 13 sec · Cowlitz Way

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Pacific Avenue

    900 ft · 25 sec · North Pacific Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on North Kelso Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Kelso Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1486 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    92.4 mi · 1 hr 46 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    20.7 mi · 26 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue

    136 m · 11 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue

    2062 ft · 50 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 167 South: Renton, Auburn

    2161 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Renton, Rainier Avenue South

    1520 ft · 27 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on WA 167 North: Renton, Rainier Avenue South

    1005 ft · 43 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

    1102 ft · 23 sec · Valley Freeway

  15. 15

    Continue on Rainier Avenue South

    1.5 km · 2 min · Rainier Avenue South

  16. 16

    Turn right

    12 m · 3 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kelso and Renton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Kelso Avenue
114 mi · 97%
I 405 North
1.69 mi · 1%
Rainier Avenue South
0.91 mi · 1%
WA 167 South
0.7 mi · 1%
Valley Freeway
0.21 mi
WA 167 North
0.19 mi
Longest Stretch

North Kelso Avenue

Merge slight left

92.4 mi · 01h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.2 mi
97.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tumwater
00h 58m from Kelso
Leave By
2:34 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Kelso and Mostly Sunny near Renton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kelso to Renton?

The road trip is about 118.1 miles (190.1 km) and usually takes 01h 57m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Tumwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59 miles from Kelso and 59.2 miles from Renton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 97.9 miles (157.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:34 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.82 one way or $43.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Kelso and Mostly Sunny near Renton.

Stop Ideas Near Tumwater

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Tumwater and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 8.8 mi away

City of Lacey - City Hall Parking

Olympia , WA
402 College St SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 7.2 mi away

Olympia Urban Forestry

Olympia , WA
601 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501
Forestry service,City government office
Olympia City Hall
Meeting point 7.2 mi away

Olympia City Hall

Olympia , WA
601 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501
Rating 3.2/5 17 reviews City Hall,City government office,Government
Lacey Community Center
Nearby stop 9.4 mi away

Lacey Community Center

Olympia , WA
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Rating 4.5/5 280 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tumwater.

RAIL

Centennial Station

9 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Centralia station

32 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

45 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

71 mi away
7301 South 158th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kelso and Renton. Straight-line distance: 97.93 mi (157.61 km).

Kelso

#1 Kelso

Town and parish in Scottish Borders, Scotland

Population12,438
Coordinates46.1467800, -122.9084400
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Renton

#2 Renton

The second most populous city in King County, Washington.

Population101,494
Coordinates47.4828800, -122.2170700
Altitude12
CountryUnited States
Start: North 4th Avenue (-122.908521, 46.146794)
End: (-122.217044, 47.482897)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 190 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.17 gal
15.78 L · about $21.82
Round trip
$43.64
8.34 gal · 31.56 L
Estimated CO2
37.1 kg one way
Round trip: 74.1 kg / 163 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $21.82 $43.64
Mid-grade $5.57 $23.21 $46.43
Premium $5.77 $24.07 $48.13
Diesel $5.47 $22.80 $45.59

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Washington · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Kelso and Renton. The current time is 16:52:51.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.