Drive Time
19m
Distance
10.2 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Chris G
The drive from Puyallup, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 10.2 miles and takes about 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 4th Street Southeast, 7th Avenue Southeast, 3rd Street Southeast for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.10 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.1 miles from Puyallup, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Expect a 19m drive with frequent turns across 10.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Street Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 7th Avenue Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Street Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Stewart | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Street Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bay Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Puyallup, WA and Tacoma, WA.
Start on the route
Turn left
At the end of the road, turn left onto 4th Street Southeast
Turn left onto 7th Avenue Southeast
Turn sharp right onto 3rd Street Southeast
Continue on 2nd Street Northeast
Turn left onto East Stewart
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto 4th Street Northwest
Turn left onto River Road
Continue on Bay Street
Take the ramp slight left toward I 5 South: Olympia, Portland
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
Merge slight right
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Continue on South 15th Street
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
Turn right onto South 11th Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 10.2 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.1 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tacoma, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Puyallup, 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 Puyallup, WA
This is one driving day of about 10.2 miles and 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.1 mi from Puyallup, WA · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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.
A short stop after about 10.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 5.1 miles from Puyallup, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$2.10 one way
$4.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $2.24 | $4.47 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.32 | $4.63 |
| diesel | $5.47 | $2.20 | $4.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.07 | $0.49 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.89 | $0.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.65 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Puyallup on Saturday
Local time
4:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Tacoma on Saturday
Local time
4:34 AM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
38°F
Federal Way, WA
5 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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