Origin
Boulevard Park, WA
Evening in Boulevard Park on Sunday
Local time
6:36 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boulevard Park, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
37m
Distance
26.6 mi
43 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boulevard Park, WA
Bhaskar Barman
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit through the Pacific Coast region, the 26.6-mile trip from Boulevard Park to Tacoma is a straightforward endeavor. Expect to spend about 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes I-5, WA-518, and Des Moines Memorial Drive South to navigate between these two Washington locations. With a fuel budget of just $6, it is a highly economical journey for a solo traveler or a small group. Because the trip is short and efficient, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to arrive in Tacoma without needing to plan for intermediate stops.
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
13.3 miles from Boulevard Park, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will experience a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 19.5 miles while cruising along I-5, which defines the bulk of the driving experience. While the transit begins on local roads like Des Moines Memorial Drive South, the route quickly transitions into a more industrial highway pace as you merge onto the interstate. You should prepare for a consistent, functional drive rather than a winding backroad tour. Expect a predictable experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers or varying terrain.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 19.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 518. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 26.6 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 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
7
24.7 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
24.8 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 705 North: City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 705 North: City Center
8
25.5 mi into trip
|
~34m 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
25.8 mi into trip
|
~34m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Boulevard Park, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Portland, Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Dome Station.
Portland
4.3 mi in
|
~6m
Tacoma Dome
24.6 mi in
|
~32m
Tacoma Dome Station
24.7 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 19.5 mi | 24m |
| WA 518 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Des Moines Memorial Drive South | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Tacoma Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 128th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 14th Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 19.5 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulevard Park, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on 14th Avenue South
266 ft
·
14 sec
·
14th Avenue South
2
Turn left onto South 128th Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South 128th Street
3
Turn right onto Des Moines Memorial Drive South
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Des Moines Memorial Drive South
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto WA 518
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
WA 518
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 5
19 mi
·
24 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
9
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
16
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
17
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short commute, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure around peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother ride. Since the entire trip takes less than an hour and covers only 26.6 miles, you don't need to worry about complex fuel stops or rest breaks along the way. Your best strategy is to fuel up before you leave Boulevard Park, as the $6 budget suggests a very light consumption rate for the duration of the trip. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the local sections onto the 19.5-mile stretch of I-5 to avoid missing your highway merges. Use the simplicity of this short route to your advantage by focusing on a direct, non-stop arrival in Tacoma.
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 13.3 miles from Boulevard Park, WA, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.5 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 26.6 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.3 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 Boulevard Park, 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 Boulevard Park, WA
This is one driving day of about 26.6 miles and 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boulevard Park, 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 19.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.3 mi from Boulevard Park, WA · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.3 miles from Boulevard Park, 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
$5.58 one way
$11.17 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $5.83 | $11.66 |
| premium | $5.77 | $6.04 | $12.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.91 | $11.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8 | 0 | $2.79 | $1.28 |
| Efficient EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.33 | $1.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
6:36 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
18 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
37m 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 Boulevard Park, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 26.6 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, WA 518, Des Moines Memorial Drive South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.3 miles from Boulevard Park, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.58 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 15 significant decision points across 26.6 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 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Boulevard Park, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Portland, Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Dome Station.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tacoma, WA
More trips to Tacoma, WA
Explore more options from Boulevard Park, WA or browse trips ending in Tacoma, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Boulevard Park, WA or Tacoma, WA on MapSof.net.