Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Forks, 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

3h 54m

Distance

162.2 mi

261 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 42m ★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Forks, WA, WA

Forks, WA

Wilawan Pantukang

Trip Overview

The drive from Forks, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 162.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 16 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.4 miles on South Forks Avenue. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.95 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81.1 miles from Forks, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 162.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Forks, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 162.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Forks Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 55.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 92.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 101.6 miles (WA 104 / State Route 104): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
92.7 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

6
101.6 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | WA 104 / State Route 104

Enter roundabout onto WA 104 / State Route 104

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
108.2 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
108.3 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northeast

Merge onto WA 3 / State Highway 3 Northeast

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
159.9 mi into trip | ~3h 48m 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
South Forks Avenue 55.4 mi 1h 21m
East 1st Street 35.9 mi 53m
State Highway 16 26.1 mi 32m
State Highway 3 Northeast 23.2 mi 31m
State Route 104 5.2 mi 6m
State Highway 3 West 2.1 mi 3m
Hood Canal Floating Bridge 1.6 mi 2m
South 11th Street 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: South Forks Avenue — 55.4 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 101

55 mi · 1 hr 21 min · South Forks Avenue
2

Take the exit onto Lauridsen Boulevard

0.8 mi · 2 min · Lauridsen Boulevard
3

Turn left onto South Race Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Race Street
4

Turn right onto US 101

36 mi · 53 min · East 1st Street
5

Take the exit

8.7 mi · 11 min
6

Keep slight left at fork onto WA 104

0.1 mi · 9 sec · State Route 104
7

Enter roundabout onto WA 104

101 ft · 1 sec · State Route 104
8

Continue on WA 104

4.9 mi · 6 min · State Route 104
9

Enter roundabout onto WA 104

117 ft · 1 sec · State Route 104
10

Continue on WA 104

0.1 mi · 16 sec · State Route 104
11

Continue on WA 104

1.6 mi · 2 min · Hood Canal Floating Bridge
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Use the right lane.
13

Merge onto WA 3

23 mi · 31 min · State Highway 3 Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on WA 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West
15

Continue on WA 16

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West State Route 16
16

Continue on WA 16

26 mi · 32 min · State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 1A Toward Sprague Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn left

0.4 mi · 53 sec
19

Continue on Sprague Ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Sprague Ramp
20

Continue on South Sprague Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Sprague Avenue
21

Turn right onto South 11th Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · South 11th Street
22

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 81.1 miles from Forks, WA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 36 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.1 miles or 2h 1m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 14m

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 Forks, 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 Forks, WA

This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Forks, 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 South Forks Avenue for about 55.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 81.1 mi from Forks, WA · 2h 1m into the drive

city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Poulsbo, WA

81 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

Port Angeles, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Poulsbo, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Forks, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 139.8
View on nps.gov
Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park

National Park

With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of yea...

19 mi from route ~46 min detour $30 near mile 44.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.95 one way

$67.89 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $35.60 $71.20
premium $5.77 $36.83 $73.67
diesel $5.61 $35.81 $71.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.7 0 $17.03 $7.79
Efficient EV 40.6 0 $14.19 $6.49
EV Truck/SUV 64.9 0 $22.71 $10.38

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Forks, WA

Morning in Forks on Saturday

Local time

9:13 AM

PDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tacoma, WA

Morning in Tacoma on Saturday

Local time

9:13 AM

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

4 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

3h 54m 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 Forks, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 162.2 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 16. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 81.1 miles from Forks, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.95 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 92.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 101.6 miles (WA 104 / State Route 104): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Forks, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and Olympic National Park.

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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Tacoma, WA

Asotin, WA 325.8 mi · 7h Mead, WA 304.4 mi · 5h 49m Spokane Valley, WA 301.7 mi · 5h 39m Dayton, WA 283.6 mi · 6h 5m

More from Forks, WA

Federal Way, WA 173.4 mi · 4h 8m Seattle, WA 159.3 mi · 4h 27m

More trips to Tacoma, WA

Spokane, WA 292.9 mi Pomeroy, WA 290.8 mi Oroville, WA 290.7 mi Colfax, WA 284.7 mi Medical Lake, WA 282 mi Cheney, WA 280.4 mi
Scenic drives in WA

Explore more options from Forks, WA or browse trips ending in Tacoma, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.