Drive Time
54m
Distance
46.1 mi
74 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Photo: Chris G
The drive from Sammamish, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 46.1 miles and takes about 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Redmond Way, WA 520 West, Northeast 40th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.68 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
23 miles from Sammamish, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Expect a 54m drive with frequent turns across 46.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Sammamish, WA to Tacoma, WA is easy. At 54m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sammamish, WA to Tacoma, WA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Redmond Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WA 520 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast 40th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 405 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 5 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 705 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| A Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 15 Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Sammamish, WA and Tacoma, WA.
Start on East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Turn slight left onto Redmond Way
Take the ramp straight toward WA 520 West: Seattle
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward Northeast 40th Street
Keep slight left to continue on WA 520 West: Seattle
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 405 South: Renton
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: 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 46.1 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tacoma, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sammamish, 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 Sammamish, WA
This is one driving day of about 46.1 miles and 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23 mi from Sammamish, WA · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 46.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23 miles from Sammamish, 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
$9.68 one way
$19.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $10.10 | $20.21 |
| premium | $5.77 | $10.47 | $20.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.24 | $20.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Afternoon in Sammamish on Saturday
Local time
3:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Tacoma on Saturday
Local time
3:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
40°F
Renton, WA
23 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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