Origin
Dollar Corner, WA
Evening in Dollar Corner on Sunday
Local time
8:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dollar Corner, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
128.8 mi
207 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dollar Corner, WA
Tony Began
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Dollar Corner to Tacoma, expect a straightforward journey covering 128.8 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 2 hours and 32 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should keep you covered for the duration of the ride. Since the entire route remains within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you won't need to worry about significant climate or terrain shifts. It is a practical, efficient path that works well if you need to reach your destination 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
64.4 miles from Dollar Corner, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 93% of your travel occurring on major routes like I-5. You will spend the vast majority of your time on a long, 119.5-mile stretch of interstate, which offers a consistent and predictable driving experience. While you start your journey on local roads like Northeast 219th Street and conclude via South 11th Street, the bulk of the drive is a high-speed transit. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy grind that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. It is the kind of drive where you can settle into a steady pace and focus on the miles ahead.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 119.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Northeast 219th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 128.8 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 125.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
125.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m 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
125.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
125.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
126.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
126.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m 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 | 119.5 mi | 2h 14m |
| Northeast 219th Street | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| South 11th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Sprague Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| WA 16 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Sprague Ramp | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 119.5 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dollar Corner, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on WA 502
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 219th Street
2
Continue on WA 502
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Northeast 219th Street
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward Seattle
4
Merge onto I 5
119 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sprague Ramp
11
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sprague Avenue
Use the none lane.
12
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
To keep your travel stress-free, plan for at least one stop during the 2 hour and 32 minute trek to stretch your legs. Because the route relies so heavily on I-5, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion common on major interstate corridors. The flexibility of a one-day drive means you don't need to worry about complex lodging arrangements, so focus your preparation on having your fuel budget of $27 ready. Since the longest stretch spans 119.5 miles on the interstate, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained highway speeds before you leave Dollar Corner. Keep an eye on your dashboard navigation as you transition from the interstate onto South 11th Street to ensure a smooth 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.4 miles from Dollar Corner, WA, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 119.5 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.4 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
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 Dollar Corner, 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 Dollar Corner, WA
This is one driving day of about 128.8 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dollar Corner, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 119.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.4 mi from Dollar Corner, WA · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.4 miles from Dollar Corner, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 119.5 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.03 one way
$54.07 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $28.23 | $56.46 |
| premium | $5.77 | $29.26 | $58.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.61 | $57.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.52 | $6.18 |
| Efficient EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.27 | $5.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.5 | 0 | $18.03 | $8.24 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
8:53 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
20 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
2h 32m 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 Dollar Corner, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 128.8 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Northeast 219th Street, South 11th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.4 miles from Dollar Corner, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.03 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 128.8 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 125.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Dollar Corner, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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