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Trip from Arlington Heights, WA to Tacoma, WA

Data updated 1 second ago

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

86.6 mi

139 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 12m
8 PM
1h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Arlington Heights, WA, WA

Arlington Heights, WA

JOHN CALLERY

Trip Overview

The drive from Arlington Heights, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 86.6 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 5, WA 530, Oso Slide Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.3 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.12 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

43.3 miles from Arlington Heights, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 86.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and WA 530. The longest continuous stretch is about 74.3 miles on I 5.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 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 74.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 530. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 84.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 86.6 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 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
84.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 133 Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Ta...
7
84.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome St...
7
84.8 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 705 North: City Center

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 705 North: City Center
8
85.5 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward A Street, City Center

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward A Street, City Center
9
85.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 74.3 mi 1h 32m
WA 530 3.9 mi 6m
Oso Slide Memorial Highway 2.6 mi 3m
115th Avenue Northeast 2 mi 4m
228th Street Northeast 0.6 mi 1m
State Route 530 Northeast 0.3 mi <1m
East Division Street 0.3 mi <1m
I 705 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 74.3 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington Heights, WA and Tacoma, WA.

1

Start on 228th Street Northeast

0.6 mi · 1 min · 228th Street Northeast
2

Turn right onto 115th Avenue Northeast

2.0 mi · 4 min · 115th Avenue Northeast
3

Turn left onto WA 530

2.6 mi · 3 min · Oso Slide Memorial Highway
4

Continue on WA 530

0.3 mi · 34 sec · State Route 530 Northeast
5

Continue on WA 530

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Talcott Street
6

Continue on WA 530

517 ft · 23 sec · East Burke Avenue
7

Turn left onto Manhattan Avenue

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Manhattan Avenue
8

Turn right onto East Division Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · East Division Street
9

Enter roundabout onto East Division Street

60 ft · 1 sec · East Division Street
10

Continue on East Division Street

0.1 mi · 18 sec · East Division Street
11

Enter roundabout onto West Division Street

78 ft · 2 sec · West Division Street
12

Continue on West Division Street

345 ft · 11 sec · West Division Street
13

Continue on WA 530

1.1 mi · 1 min · WA 530
14

Enter roundabout onto WA 530

42 ft · 0 sec · WA 530
15

Continue on WA 530

0.3 mi · 26 sec · WA 530
16

Enter roundabout onto WA 530

58 ft · 1 sec · WA 530
17

Continue on WA 530

2.5 mi · 3 min · WA 530
18

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
19

Merge onto I 5

74 mi · 1 hr 32 min · I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Exit 133 Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
21

Keep slight right at fork

334 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Merge onto I 705

0.3 mi · 22 sec · I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center Use the slight left lane.
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue Use the slight left / straight lanes.
26

Continue on South 15th Street

0.3 mi · 59 sec · South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
27

Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
28

Turn right onto South 11th Street

43 ft · 1 sec · South 11th Street
29

Arrive at destination

South 11th Street

Trip Plan

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 43.3 miles from Arlington Heights, WA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.3 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 43.3 miles or 59m 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 37m

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 Arlington Heights, 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 Arlington Heights, WA

This is one driving day of about 86.6 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington Heights, 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 74.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43.3 mi from Arlington Heights, WA · 59m into the drive

city in King County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kenmore, WA

43 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

Federal Way, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seattle, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Arlington Heights, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 74.3 miles.

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

$18.12 one way

$36.25 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $19.01 $38.02
premium $5.77 $19.67 $39.33
diesel $5.61 $19.12 $38.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26 0 $9.09 $4.16
Efficient EV 21.7 0 $7.58 $3.46
EV Truck/SUV 34.6 0 $12.12 $5.54

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Arlington Heights, WA

Late night in Arlington Heights on Wednesday

Local time

4:35 AM

PDT

Current temp

42°F

Chance Light Rain

SSE 7 mph 48% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning issued April 14 at 12:10AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning issued April 13 at 11:34PM PDT until April 15 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Destination

Tacoma, WA

Late night in Tacoma on Wednesday

Local time

4:35 AM

PDT

Current temp

45°F

Chance Light Rain

SSW 10 mph 32% chance Live forecast

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning issued April 14 at 12:10AM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Winter Storm Warning

Winter Storm Warning issued April 13 at 11:34PM PDT until April 15 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 55m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Arlington Heights, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 86.6 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 530, Oso Slide Memorial 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 43.3 miles from Arlington Heights, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.12 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 19 significant decision points across 86.6 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 84.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 84.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington Heights, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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