10 Best Short Road Trips from Renton, Washington (King County)

10 Easy Out‑of‑County Road Trips From Renton, Washington

If you live in Renton, Washington, you already know it’s a great home base. But sometimes you just want to hop in the car, leave King County behind, and explore somewhere new for the day. The good news? Within a couple of hours’ drive you’ve got mountains, islands, lakes, wine country, and small towns that feel a world away. Below are 10 short road trips from Renton that take you into nearby counties like Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, Kittitas, Chelan, and Yakima—without needing a whole week of vacation. All drive times are ballpark estimates from Renton, assuming normal traffic. Your mileage (and patience) may vary.

1. Tacoma Waterfront & Museum District (Pierce County)

Approx. drive time: 40–55 minutes Best for: Art, history, waterfront walks, easy urban exploring Head south on I‑5 and in under an hour you can be strolling ’s revitalized waterfront. If you’ve only ever blown past Tacoma on the freeway, it’s worth a slow visit. Things to do in Tacoma:

Walk the Thea Foss Waterway and watch boats and kayaks glide by.
Visit the Museum of Glass and watch live glassblowing in the hot shop amphitheater.
Check out classic cars and local history at the America’s Car Museum.
Stroll the Bridge of Glass, a colorful outdoor art walk connecting downtown to the waterfront.

On my first real visit, I planned to stay two hours and ended up spending the entire day just bouncing between coffee shops and museums. Tacoma has that “big city but not too big” vibe that’s perfect for a relaxed day trip.

2. Point Defiance Park & Five Mile Drive (Pierce County)

Approx. drive time: 55–70 minutes Best for: Scenic drives, short hikes, family fun Still in Pierce County, but a whole different feel from downtown Tacoma. Point Defiance Park is a huge green escape jutting into Puget Sound. Highlights at Point Defiance:

Drive or bike the Five Mile Drive loop for forest and water views.
Walk to Owen Beach and look across at Vashon Island.
Visit the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with the kids.
Stop at one of the many overlooks for sweeping views of the water and, on clear days, Mount Rainier.

If you want a low‑effort day in nature, this is great. You can see a lot just by driving, hopping out at viewpoints, and doing short, easy walks.

3. Edmonds & the Snohomish County Coastline (Snohomish County)

Approx. drive time: 45–60 minutes Best for: Beach walks, small‑town charm, ferry watching Head north instead of south and you can reach the mellow waterfront town of Edmonds in less than an hour. What to do in Edmonds:

Walk along Edmonds Marina Beach and watch the ferries come and go.
Grab coffee in the walkable downtown Edmonds and browse local shops and galleries.
Fish or just wander out on the fishing pier for great views of the Olympic Mountains.
Time your visit around sunset for an especially pretty show over the water.

If you need a low‑key date idea or a mellow Sunday drive from Renton, Edmonds is a solid choice. It feels like a little coastal town, yet you’re not that far from home.

4. Snohomish Historic Downtown & Antique Shops (Snohomish County)

Approx. drive time: 45–70 minutes Best for: Antiques, river views, small‑town strolls The city of Snohomish calls itself the “Antique Capital of the Northwest,” and it’s not far off. In downtown Snohomish you can:

Wander the historic district lined with old brick buildings.
Pop into antique shops and vintage stores—great if you like hunting for old signs, records, or furniture.
Walk the trail along the Snohomish River for peaceful views.
Grab a bite at one of the small bakeries or pubs in town.

This is the kind of place where you say, “We’ll just look around for an hour,” and suddenly you’re debating whether to bring home a 1960s lamp you definitely don’t need.

5. Bainbridge Island Day Trip (Kitsap County)

Approx. drive time (including ferry): About 1.5–2 hours total Best for: Island vibes, easy walking, local shops A trip to Bainbridge Island feels like a mini‑vacation, but you can still be back in Renton the same evening. How to get there from Renton:

Drive to downtown Seattle’s ferry terminal (about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic).
Take the Seattle–Bainbridge ferry (about 35 minutes on the water).

Once you roll into Winslow, the main town on the island, you can:

Stroll along Main Street and browse bookstores, galleries, and cafes.
Walk down to the waterfront park for picnic spots and harbor views.
Rent bikes or just wander the nearby neighborhoods under big old trees.

The ferry ride itself is half the fun. On a clear day, you get views of Seattle’s skyline, the Olympics, and sometimes even whales if you’re really lucky.

6. Poulsbo, “Little Norway” on the Fjord (Kitsap County)

Approx. drive time: 1.75–2.25 hours (via Seattle–Bainbridge ferry, then drive) Best for: Scandinavian flavor, bakery treats, waterfront strolls Once you’re on Bainbridge, you’re just a short drive from Poulsbo, a cute town with Norwegian roots on Liberty Bay. What to do in Poulsbo:

Walk the waterfront boardwalk and check out the marina.
Stop at a Scandinavian bakery for pastries and bread.
Browse gift shops full of Nordic decor and local crafts.
Let kids burn off energy at the small waterfront park.

The town is small enough that you can see a lot in an afternoon, which makes it perfect to pair with a ferry ride and a quick stop on Bainbridge Island.

7. Cle Elum & Lake Easton Escape (Kittitas County)

Approx. drive time: 1.5–2 hours Best for: Mountain air, lakes, relaxed outdoor time Head east on I‑90, over Snoqualmie Pass, and suddenly you’re in Kittitas County, where the air is drier and the sky feels a little bigger. Two easy stops are:

Cle Elum – A small town with a historic main street, old‑school bakeries, and nearby trailheads.
Lake Easton State Park – A peaceful lake for picnics, short hikes, and easy shoreline exploring.

What I like about this area is how fast the scenery changes. One minute you’re in thick forest; the next, you’re in sun‑soaked hills. It’s a quick way to get that “Eastern Washington” feeling without driving all day.

8. Leavenworth Bavarian Village (Chelan County)

Approx. drive time: 2.5–3 hours Best for: Themed town fun, mountain views, festivals Leavenworth is one of the most famous day trips in Washington, and it’s in Chelan County. It’s a bit longer of a drive, but still very doable as a long day trip from Renton. In Leavenworth you can:

Walk through the Bavarian‑style village with Alpine‑inspired buildings.
Enjoy German food like bratwurst, pretzels, and schnitzel.
Stroll along the Waterfront Park trails beside the Wenatchee River.
Visit during seasonal events like Oktoberfest or the Christmas Lighting Festival for full‑on holiday vibes.

It can get crowded on summer weekends and during big events, so consider a weekday if you can swing it. The mountain views on the drive alone are worth the trip.

9. Yakima Valley Wine Country (Yakima County)

Approx. drive time: 2.5–3 hours Best for: Wine tasting, sunshine, farm stands If you’re craving sunshine and open landscapes, head southeast to Yakima County, one of Washington’s major wine and hop‑growing regions. Ideas for a Yakima area day trip:

Visit a few wineries for tastings—many have patios with grassy lawns and valley views.
Stop at roadside fruit stands for cherries, apples, or peaches in season.
Walk or bike part of the Yakima Greenway, a trail system along the Yakima River.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who doesn’t drink, look for wineries with outdoor space and games. They can hang out on the lawn while you sample a flight.

10. Mount Rainier’s Sunrise Area (Pierce County)

Approx. drive time: 2–2.5 hours Best for: Mountain views, wildflowers, short hikes While Mount Rainier National Park is huge, one of the most rewarding and less crowded sides for Renton folks is the Sunrise area in Pierce County. At Sunrise you can:

Drive to one of the highest points in the park you can reach by car.
Walk easy trails to stunning viewpoints of Rainier and the surrounding peaks.
See wildflower meadows in mid to late summer.

Always check road conditions and park alerts before you go—snow can linger well into summer. But on a clear day, the views from Sunrise are some of the best you can get without a long, steep hike.

Tips for Planning Your Renton Road Trips

A few quick pointers to keep things smooth:

Check travel times: Traffic around Seattle and Tacoma can add 30–60 minutes, especially on weekends or rush hour.
Pack the basics: Water, snacks, layers, and comfortable shoes go a long way.
Watch the weather: Mountain and island trips can feel very different from Renton on the same day.
Reserve ahead when needed: Wineries, popular restaurants, and some attractions may need reservations.

Even if you only have a single free Saturday, a simple day trip can make it feel like you got a full vacation reset.

Where Will You Drive Next?

Living in or near Renton, WA means you’ve got a ton of short road trips at your fingertips—beaches in Kitsap County, historic streets in Snohomish County, mountain views in Pierce and Kittitas Counties, and sunshine in Yakima and Chelan Counties. Which of these out‑of‑county adventures are you planning to try first?

Have you done any of these drives already?
Do you have a hidden‑gem stop along the way that locals should know about?

Share your favorite day trips from Renton in the comments—and if you found this guide helpful, please share it with a friend or on social media. Your ideas might inspire someone’s next weekend escape!

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