Origin
Medical Lake, WA
Night in Medical Lake on Tuesday
Local time
11:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medical Lake, WA to Tacoma, WA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
282 mi
454 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medical Lake, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
This 282-mile journey from Medical Lake, WA, to Tacoma, WA, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 5 hours and 22 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 97% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $59, and with only one planned stop, it's a straightforward drive. This highway-focused route offers a direct path across Washington, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
141 miles from Medical Lake, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 282-mile drive, with a significant 97% of the route utilizing major interstates. The bulk of your travel will be along I 90, where you'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 237.8 miles. This means extended periods of consistent speed and a focus on efficient transit. While the character is largely highway, State Route 18 offers a brief change of pace before you merge onto I 5 for the final approach to Tacoma. Overall, it's a drive built for covering distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 237.8 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 244 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 282 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 244 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
244 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
244.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m 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
272 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
280.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m 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
281.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m 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 Medical Lake, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
244.3 mi in
|
~4h 30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 237.8 mi | 4h 17m |
| State Route 18 | 26.7 mi | 34m |
| I 5 | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| South Salnave Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| South Lefevre Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| State Route 902 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 237.8 mi, about 4h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medical Lake, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on East Lake Street
125 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Lake Street
2
Turn left onto WA 902
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lefevre Street
3
Continue on WA 902
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 902
4
Continue on WA 902
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Salnave Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Seattle
6
Merge onto I 90; US 395
42 mi
·
45 min
·
I 90; US 395
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
195 mi
·
3 hr 31 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
11
Continue on WA 18
27 mi
·
34 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
15
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
17
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
24
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
25
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 22-minute duration, this route works well as a single-day trip. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Medical Lake to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach the Tacoma area. With a longest stretch of nearly 238 miles, plan for a single substantial break along I 90. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the route is heavily highway-focused, and gas stations can be spaced out between exits. The $59 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your travel expenses.
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 141 miles from Medical Lake, WA, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.8 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 38m 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 16m
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 Medical Lake, 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 Medical Lake, WA
This is one driving day of about 282 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Medical Lake, 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 237.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 141 mi from Medical Lake, WA · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 141 miles from Medical Lake, 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 237.8 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
$59.02 one way
$118.04 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $61.90 | $123.79 |
| premium | $5.77 | $64.04 | $128.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.26 | $124.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.61 | $13.54 |
| Efficient EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.8 | 1 | $39.48 | $18.05 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Night in Tacoma on Tuesday
Local time
11:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
141 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
28 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 22m 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 Medical Lake, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 282 miles and takes about 5h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, I 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141 miles from Medical Lake, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.02 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 20 significant decision points across 282 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 244 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Medical Lake, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
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