Origin
Fairwood, WA
Evening in Fairwood on Friday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairwood, WA to Tacoma, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 49m
Distance
301.9 mi
486 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 36m
★
6 AM
5h 49m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 14m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairwood, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
The drive from Fairwood, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 301.9 miles and takes about 5h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, State Route 18, North Division Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 252 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $63.19 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
150.9 miles from Fairwood, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 301.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 49m highway drive covering 301.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Route 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 252 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 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 252 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,026 ft
250 ft
Total Climb
2,775 ft
Total Descent
4,338 ft
Highest Point
3,026 ft
~237.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,777 ft
Notable High Points
3,026 ft at ~237.2 miles
+924 ft prominence
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 263.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 301.9 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 263.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
263.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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
264.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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
291.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m 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
300.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m 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
301.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fairwood, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
264.2 mi in
|
~4h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 252 mi | 4h 32m |
| State Route 18 | 26.7 mi | 34m |
| North Division Street | 7.6 mi | 16m |
| I 5 | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| US 2 | 3 mi | 3m |
| West Hastings Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Browne Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 252 mi, about 4h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairwood, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
379 ft
·
29 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West Bellwood Drive
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Bellwood Drive
3
Turn right onto West Hastings Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Hastings Road
4
Turn right onto US 395
7.6 mi
·
16 min
·
North Division Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on US 2; US 395
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Browne Street
6
Take the ramp onto US 2; US 395
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 2; US 395
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 90; US 395
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
195 mi
·
3 hr 31 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
12
Continue on WA 18
27 mi
·
34 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
16
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
18
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
25
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
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 150.9 miles from Fairwood, WA, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 66 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.9 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
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 Fairwood, 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 Fairwood, WA
This is one driving day of about 301.9 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Fairwood, 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 252 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.9 mi from Fairwood, WA · 2h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 150.9 miles from Fairwood, 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 252 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
$63.19 one way
$126.37 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $66.26 | $132.53 |
| premium | $5.77 | $68.56 | $137.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.66 | $133.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.70 | $14.49 |
| Efficient EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.42 | $12.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.8 | 1 | $42.27 | $19.32 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Friday
Local time
6:27 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
14 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
5h 49m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairwood, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 301.9 miles and takes about 5h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, North Division 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 150.9 miles from Fairwood, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.19 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 301.9 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 263.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fairwood, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 250 ft to 3,026 ft elevation with about 2,775 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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