Longview Heights, WA to Tacoma, WA is 97.6 miles and takes about 2h 7m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington and covers a short distance, making it an easy one-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a straightforward journey. This route is ideal if you're looking for a quick and efficient drive between these two points in the Pacific Coast region. It's a practical option for a day trip or a simple relocation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Longview Heights, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 97.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 91% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 5 and Westside Highway. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 88.4 miles on I 5, indicating a long period of consistent, faster-paced driving. While Columbia Heights Road offers a brief change of pace, the overall character is that of a direct and efficient connection between your starting and ending points. Expect smooth sailing for the majority of the trip, with minimal technical driving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 88.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Westside Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 97.6 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 94.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
8
94.6 mi into trip|~2h 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
6
94.9 mi into trip|~2h in|WA 16
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16 toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
95.4 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
88.4 mi
1h 41m
Westside Highway
1.6 mi
3m
Columbia Heights Road
1.6 mi
5m
Nevada Drive
1.4 mi
5m
South 11th Street
0.9 mi
2m
South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
WA 16
0.5 mi
<1m
Lexington Bridge Drive
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 88.4 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview Heights, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
29 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Crestmont Avenue
321 ft·15 sec·Crestmont Avenue
3
Turn left onto Alpine Way
283 ft·18 sec·Alpine Way
4
Turn left onto Cedar Gates Road
508 ft·23 sec·Cedar Gates Road
5
Turn right onto Laulainen Road
523 ft·24 sec·Laulainen Road
6
Turn left onto Gates Road
0.1 mi·35 sec·Gates Road
7
Turn right onto Columbia Heights Road
1.6 mi·5 min·Columbia Heights Road
8
Turn left onto Nevada Drive
1.4 mi·5 min·Nevada Drive
9
At end of road, turn left onto WA 411
1.6 mi·3 min·Westside Highway
10
Turn right onto Lexington Bridge Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Lexington Bridge Drive
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
12
Merge onto I 5
88 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 132Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma MallUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
0.5 mi·43 sec·WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward Sprague AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec·Sprague Ramp
19
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Sprague Avenue
20
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South 11th Street
21
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of just over two hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, with an estimated cost of $20. The longest stretch on I 5 means you can settle in, but be prepared for potential traffic as you approach Tacoma. A good tip is to check local traffic conditions before you leave Longview Heights to optimize your arrival time.
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 48.8 miles from Longview Heights, WA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.4 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 21 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 1h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 Longview Heights, 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 Longview Heights, WA
This is one driving day of about 97.6 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Longview Heights, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 88.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.8 mi from Longview Heights, WA
· 1h 7m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 97.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.43 one way
$40.85 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$21.42
$42.84
premium
$5.77
$22.16
$44.33
diesel
$5.61
$21.55
$43.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.3
0
$10.25
$4.68
Efficient EV
24.4
0
$8.54
$3.90
EV Truck/SUV
39
0
$13.66
$6.25
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Longview Heights, WA
Night
in Longview Heights on Friday
Local time
9:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Night
in Tacoma on Friday
Local time
9:54 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
12 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
2h 7m 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 Longview Heights, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 97.6 miles and takes about 2h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Westside Highway, Columbia Heights Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.8 miles from Longview Heights, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.43 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 97.6 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 94.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Longview Heights, 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.
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.
