Commuting From South King County to the Eastside: What the Drive and Transit Actually Look Like

The Honest Commute Question for South King County Buyers

Prices in Renton, Kent, Auburn, and Federal Way are often lower than in Bellevue. That is why so many buyers look south. Then they ask the next question: what will the drive cost me every day?

I will not give you a magic number. Drive times change by hour, by day, and by crash. So I am going to show you what the roads and transit lines are, what is changing, and where to check the live facts yourself.

I cite only the agencies that run these roads and routes: WSDOT, Sound Transit, and King County Metro. Everything below is current as of October 12, 2026.

Driving: I-405, SR 167, and the Toll Lanes

Most drivers from South King County reach Bellevue on I-405. From Renton, you head north past Kennydale and into Bellevue. From Kent, Auburn, and Federal Way, many people use SR 167 or I-5 first and then join I-405 near Renton.

I-405 express toll lanes. These lanes run between Bellevue and Lynnwood. They are not yet in place between Renton and Bellevue. WSDOT says the Renton to Bellevue widening project is under construction, with a forecast opening of Summer 2027. When it finishes, the HOV lane and a new lane will become a two-lane express toll system between SR 167 in Renton and Northeast 6th Street in Bellevue. Expect lane closures and delays while crews work.

How the toll lanes work. On the existing I-405 toll lanes, tolls apply weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rates change with traffic. WSDOT lists them as ranging from $1 to $15 with a Good To Go! pass. Without a pass, you pay by mail at a rate $2 higher. Carpools with enough people can ride free with a Flex Pass. The toll lanes are free on weekends and overnight.

SR 167 toll lanes. These lanes run between Renton and Sumner. There is one tolled lane in each direction. The other lanes stay free. WSDOT says tolls apply from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, with rates that range from $1 to $15. Carpools of two or more can ride free with a Flex Pass.

Here is a plain way to compare your driving choices.

Source: WSDOT, I-405 Express Toll Lanes and Tolling on SR 167 pages; WSDOT I-405 Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project page, October 2026.

I-90 and I-5: The Other Ways to Cross

Some drivers take I-5 north and cross Lake Washington on I-90 into Bellevue. That can make sense when I-405 is backed up, but it adds miles. I do not have a verified drive time for this, so please check a live map at your own commute hour.

My advice is simple. Do a test run. Drive it at 7:30 a.m. on a Tuesday and again at 5:00 p.m. on a Thursday. Your real answer is worth more than any average I could quote.

Transit: Buses, Sounder, and Link

This part trips up many buyers. They hear “light rail” and think there is a train from South King County to Bellevue. There is not one today. Here is what each choice does.

Bus: Sound Transit 566. Route 566 runs between Auburn and Redmond, with stops in Kent, Renton, and Bellevue. It is a weekday route with limited trips. Northbound trips start in the early morning and end by mid-morning. Southbound trips run in the afternoon and early evening. The adult fare is $3.00. King County Metro operates it. Sound Transit’s page also says it is being rerouted around Bellevue Transit Center from August 29 through December 20, 2026, due to construction.

Bus: Sound Transit 560. Route 560 connects Bellevue, Renton, Sea-Tac Airport, Burien, and West Seattle. Its timetable shows buses about once an hour through the day. That works for some schedules and not for others.

Sounder. The Sounder S Line runs from Lakewood to King Street Station in Seattle. It stops in Auburn and Kent. It is a weekday commuter train with a limited number of trips, and it goes to Seattle, not Bellevue. Sound Transit also lists reduced parking at Kent Station from August 10, 2026 through February 16, 2027. If you plan to park there, check the page first.

Link light rail. The 1 Line now reaches Federal Way. Service to Federal Way Downtown began on December 6, 2025. The 2 Line now crosses Lake Washington. It opened between Seattle and the Eastside on March 28, 2026. You switch between the 1 and 2 Lines at International District/Chinatown Station. So a Federal Way rider could go north on the 1 Line and transfer to the 2 Line toward Bellevue. I have not verified that trip time, so test it on Sound Transit’s trip planner before you count on it.

Stride bus rapid transit. The Stride S1 Line is planned to connect Burien, Renton, and Bellevue along I-405 and SR 518. Sound Transit says it is in construction. The Renton Transit Center service start is anticipated for 2028, with buses planned every 10 to 15 minutes. Do not buy a home today based on a service that has not started.

A Simple Plan to Test Your Commute

Here is how I would test it before making an offer.

1. Pick your real hours. Write down when you leave and when you need to be at work.
2. Drive it twice. Try a morning peak and an evening peak on two different weekdays.
3. Price the toll. Look at WSDOT’s current toll rate page if you plan to use toll lanes. Rates change with traffic, so check at your hours.
4. Try the bus or train once. Use Sound Transit’s trip planner and King County Metro’s tools. Ride it before you rely on it.
5. Add the cost. Include gas, tolls, parking, and fares. Then compare it with the savings on the home price.

I assess property values professionally every day, and I drive South and East King County most weekdays. The lower price in one city can be real, and the commute can eat part of it. That is why I want you to run the whole math, not just the price tag.

How the Commute Fits Each City

Here is how I think about each city on the commute question, without making up drive times.

Renton is the closest South King County city to Bellevue. It sits next to I-405 and the future toll lane project. My Living in Renton guide covers the city. Compare it with my Living in Bellevue guide to see what each side offers.

Kent has the Sounder station and quick access to SR 167 and I-405. Read my Living in Kent guide.

Auburn has a Sounder station and Route 566 service. See my Living in Auburn guide.

Federal Way now has Link light rail. That helps if your job is near a light rail line. See my Living in Federal Way guide.

If you are moving here from out of state, my relocating to King County guide explains the area as a whole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a train from South King County to Bellevue?

Not a direct one. Sounder runs from Auburn and Kent to Seattle. Link now reaches Federal Way, and the 2 Line crosses Lake Washington to the Eastside. You transfer at International District/Chinatown Station. Check Sound Transit’s trip planner for your exact trip.

Do I have to pay a toll to drive from Renton to Bellevue?

Not today. The I-405 express toll lanes run from Bellevue north. The Renton to Bellevue toll lane project is under construction, with a forecast opening of Summer 2027, according to WSDOT. SR 167 does have toll lanes between Renton and Sumner.

How much are the I-405 and SR 167 tolls?

WSDOT lists a range from $1 to $15 with a Good To Go! pass. The rate changes with traffic, and you lock it in when you enter the lane. Check WSDOT’s toll rate page for the current price.

When will Stride bus rapid transit start?

Sound Transit says the S1 Line is in construction, and the Renton Transit Center service start is anticipated for 2028. Check Sound Transit’s Stride pages for updates.

Commute and transit information from WSDOT (I-405 Express Toll Lanes, Tolling on SR 167, and the I-405 Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project page), Sound Transit (Routes 560 and 566, Sounder S Line, Stride S1 Line, and news releases dated December 6, 2025, February 4, 2026, and March 28, 2026), and King County Metro, as reviewed October 12, 2026. Routes, tolls, and schedules change, so confirm with the agencies before you decide. This post is general information, not a guarantee of travel time.