Origin
Aberdeen, WA
Evening in Aberdeen on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aberdeen, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
78.2 mi
126 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aberdeen, WA
Frederick Adegoke Snr.
Trip Overview
Connecting the Pacific Coast hub of Aberdeen to Tacoma, this 78.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Washington state. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $16, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly. Because the entire journey takes place within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in landscape, but you will transition from a coastal town to a major urban center. It is a highly practical drive if you need to reach the Tacoma area quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
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
39.1 miles from Aberdeen, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of WA 8, the Olympic Highway, and I-5 to reach your destination. The experience is characterized by steady highway cruising rather than technical, winding roads. Be prepared for a long, consistent stretch of 26.7 miles once you merge onto I-5, which serves as the primary artery for the latter portion of your trip. Overall, the route offers a reliable and predictable pace that keeps you moving toward your destination without unnecessary local road complications.
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 26.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74.8 miles in.
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 78.2 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 74.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
74.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
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 132
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
9
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma Mall
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
8
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
8
75.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
WA 16
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16 toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
76 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Sprague Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 26.7 mi | 33m |
| WA 8 | 21.1 mi | 26m |
| Olympic Highway | 19.1 mi | 25m |
| US 101 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| East Wishkah Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| South 11th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Sprague Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| WA 16 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 26.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aberdeen, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on US 101
310 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Wishkah Street
2
Turn left onto South I Street
365 ft
·
23 sec
·
South I Street
3
Turn left onto US 101
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Heron Street
4
Continue on US 12
474 ft
·
13 sec
·
Hornsby Way
5
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Wishkah Street
6
Continue on US 12
19 mi
·
25 min
·
Olympic Highway
7
Continue on WA 8
21 mi
·
26 min
·
WA 8
8
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 101
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
10
Merge onto I 5
27 mi
·
33 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 132
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma Mall
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sprague Ramp
17
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sprague Avenue
Use the none lane.
18
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
Use the none lane.
19
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 45-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. You should aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the I-5 portion of your drive. Because there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the 78.2-mile distance in one go. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind as you prep your vehicle, and ensure your tank is full before leaving Aberdeen to avoid mid-route refueling. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to plan your arrival in Tacoma with confidence and ease.
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 39.1 miles from Aberdeen, WA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.7 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 78.2 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tacoma, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aberdeen, 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 Aberdeen, WA
This is one driving day of about 78.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Aberdeen, 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 26.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.1 mi from Aberdeen, WA · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 78.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Aberdeen, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tacoma, WA
The final approach into Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, 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
$16.41 one way
$32.83 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $17.14 | $34.28 |
| premium | $5.77 | $17.77 | $35.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.37 | $34.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.21 | $3.75 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.84 | $3.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.00 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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
Tacoma, WA
Evening in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°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
2 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
1h 45m 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 Aberdeen, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 78.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 8, Olympic Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.1 miles from Aberdeen, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.41 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 78.2 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 74.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Aberdeen, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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