Origin
Gig Harbor, WA
Evening in Gig Harbor on Sunday
Local time
8:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gig Harbor, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
19m
Distance
12.5 mi
20 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gig Harbor, WA
William Jacobs
Trip Overview
Crossing from Gig Harbor to Tacoma is a quick 12.5-mile journey that typically takes about 19 minutes behind the wheel. This Pacific Coast transit is best suited for a single-day trip, as it serves as a straightforward connection between these two Washington locations. Budgeting roughly $3 for fuel should cover your needs for the entire distance. Since the route relies heavily on WA 16, South 11th Street, and Pioneer Way, you can expect a very efficient transit. It is a highly practical drive if you are looking to move between these points 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
6.3 miles from Gig Harbor, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 73% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythmic flow for the longest uninterrupted stretch, which covers 9.1 miles along WA 16. The transition from the highway to local roads like Pioneer Way and South 11th Street marks a shift in the driving experience as you reach your destination. Expect a consistent pace throughout the 12.5-mile trek, as the route balances high-speed highway travel with the necessary navigation into the city. It is a functional path designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 9.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 16 and South 11th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pioneer Way.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Pioneer Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (WA 16): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pioneer Way
Turn left onto Pioneer Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
3
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
WA 16
Merge onto WA 16
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
10.2 mi into trip
|
~13m 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
5
11.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
South 11th Street
Turn right onto South 11th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 16 | 9.1 mi | 11m |
| South 11th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pioneer Way | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Sprague Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Sprague Ramp | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Harborview Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 16
— 9.1 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gig Harbor, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on Harborview Drive
188 ft
·
9 sec
·
Harborview Drive
2
Turn left onto Pioneer Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pioneer Way
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
4
Merge onto WA 16
9.1 mi
·
11 min
·
WA 16
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
7
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sprague Ramp
8
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sprague Avenue
Use the none lane.
9
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
Use the none lane.
10
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Because this drive is only 19 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You will not need to worry about mid-trip stops, as the distance is short enough to complete in one easy run. Keep in mind that with no planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, given the $3 estimated cost. Since a large majority of the route is on WA 16, stay alert for typical highway traffic patterns as you approach Tacoma. Use the short travel time to your advantage by planning your arrival to avoid peak congestion on the main highway segments.
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 6.3 miles from Gig Harbor, WA, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.1 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 12.5 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.3 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 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 Gig Harbor, 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 Gig Harbor, WA
This is one driving day of about 12.5 miles and 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gig Harbor, 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 WA 16 for about 9.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.3 mi from Gig Harbor, WA · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 12.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.3 miles from Gig Harbor, 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
$2.62 one way
$5.25 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $2.74 | $5.48 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.84 | $5.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.78 | $5.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.31 | $0.60 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
8:23 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
19m 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 Gig Harbor, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 12.5 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 16, South 11th Street, Pioneer Way. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.3 miles from Gig Harbor, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.62 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 straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Pioneer Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (WA 16): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gig Harbor, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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