Origin
Ephrata, WA
Evening in Ephrata on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ephrata, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
184.1 mi
296 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ephrata, WA
Ahmad Shaufi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ephrata to Tacoma covers 184.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $39 on fuel for the journey. The route primarily utilizes I-90 and State Route 18, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of your travel. Whether you are heading west for business or a change of scenery, this trip offers a direct connection between these two points in Washington. It is a manageable distance for most drivers, allowing you to reach your destination without excessive fatigue.
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
92.1 miles from Ephrata, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is defined by its efficiency, with 87% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90, which features a long, 125.7-mile stretch that allows for steady cruising. After transitioning off the interstate, you will navigate via State Route 18 and Basin Street Southwest to reach your final destination. While the experience is largely a high-speed interstate grind, the shift from the interior landscape to the coastal region provides a noticeable change in the environment. Being behind the wheel here is about steady progress, so prepare for a consistent, high-velocity pace for nearly the entire duration of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 125.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 146.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 184.1 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 146.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
146.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
146.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
8
174.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
183.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
183.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
On the drive from Ephrata, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
146.4 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 125.7 mi | 2h 17m |
| State Route 18 | 26.7 mi | 34m |
| Basin Street Southwest | 20.1 mi | 27m |
| I 5 | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Tacoma Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 125.7 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ephrata, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on 3rd Avenue Southwest
43 ft
·
6 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
2
Turn left onto WA 28
20 mi
·
27 min
·
Basin Street Southwest
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
4
Merge onto I 90
126 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
I 90
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
8
Continue on WA 18
27 mi
·
34 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
Use the none lane.
12
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
14
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
21
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
22
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the 3-hour and 37-minute duration and keep yourself alert. Given that the longest stretch on I-90 spans 125.7 miles, make sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary stress. Because the route relies heavily on major highways, keep an eye on traffic reports for I-90 and State Route 18, as these roads can become congested during peak hours. Budgeting $39 for gas is a solid baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for potential fluctuations or local traffic detours.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92.1 miles from Ephrata, WA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.7 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 51m
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 Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA
This is one driving day of about 184.1 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ephrata, 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 90 for about 125.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.1 mi from Ephrata, WA · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 92.1 miles from Ephrata, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.7 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
$38.64 one way
$77.28 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $40.35 | $80.70 |
| premium | $5.77 | $41.83 | $83.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.90 | $81.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.33 | $8.84 |
| Efficient EV | 46 | 0 | $16.11 | $7.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.77 | $11.78 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
92 mi in
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
4 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
3h 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 Ephrata, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 184.1 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, Basin Street Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.1 miles from Ephrata, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 19 significant decision points across 184.1 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 146.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ephrata, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
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