Origin
Redmond, WA
Evening in Redmond on Sunday
Local time
8:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Redmond, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
58m
Distance
43.2 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Redmond, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
Connecting Redmond to Tacoma is a straightforward 43.2-mile journey that typically takes about 58 minutes. Because the trip is short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a route primarily supported by I-5, I-405, and WA-520. Expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the trip, making this an economical excursion within the Pacific Coast region. This drive is ideal for those looking to traverse the area efficiently rather than focusing on a leisurely pace. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of exploration, the logistics are simple and predictable.
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
21.6 miles from Redmond, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 90% of your time will be spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will face a predominantly interstate-heavy drive, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 20.3 miles on I-5. The road maintains a consistent pace, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding scenic detours. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for the steady rhythm of high-speed travel characteristic of these major Washington corridors. It is an efficient, functional commute that avoids the technical challenges of local roads in favor of direct interstate routing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 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 20.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 43.2 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 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 520 West: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 520 West: Seattle
7
41.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome St...
7
41.4 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 705 North: City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 705 North: City Center
8
42.1 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
42.4 mi into trip
|
~55m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 20.3 mi | 25m |
| I 405 | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| WA 520 | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Leary Way | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Tacoma Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 76th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 20.3 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redmond, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on WA 202
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
164th Avenue Northeast
Use the none lane.
2
Enter roundabout onto Northeast 76th Street
5 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northeast 76th Street
3
Continue on Northeast 76th Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Northeast 76th Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn slight left onto Leary Way
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Leary Way
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward WA 520 West
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Merge onto WA 520
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
·
WA 520
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Northeast 40th Street
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
Toward WA 520 West: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto WA 520
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
WA 520
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 405 South: Renton
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 405
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 405
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
15
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
22
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
23
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 58-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak congestion. With zero mandatory stops required by the route, you can easily manage the trip in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Redmond, as your estimated $9 cost is based on average consumption for the 43.2-mile distance. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for I-5 and I-405 before you start, as these major arteries are prone to varying delays. Planning your departure around rush hour will ensure you maintain the efficiency this route is intended to provide.
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 21.6 miles from Redmond, WA, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.3 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 43.2 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.6 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
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 Redmond, 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 Redmond, WA
This is one driving day of about 43.2 miles and 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Redmond, 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 I 5 for about 20.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.6 mi from Redmond, WA · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from Redmond, 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
$9.07 one way
$18.13 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $9.47 | $18.94 |
| premium | $5.77 | $9.82 | $19.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.60 | $19.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.05 | $2.76 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Evening in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
8:54 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
14 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
58m 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 Redmond, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 43.2 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, WA 520. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.6 miles from Redmond, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.07 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 22 significant decision points across 43.2 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 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Redmond, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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