Origin
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Seattle, WA to Tacoma, WA
Drive Time
45m
Distance
33.6 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
Connecting Seattle to Tacoma, this 33.6-mile journey is a quick Pacific Coast trip that typically takes about 45 minutes to complete. Because of the short distance, you can easily handle this as a one-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $7 on fuel for the entire drive. The route primarily utilizes I-5 to link these two major Washington hubs. It is a straightforward, practical transition between cities that keeps travel simple and efficient for your schedule.
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
16.8 miles from Seattle, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is dominated by I-5, which accounts for 94% of your travel time. You will spend the vast majority of your journey—31.2 miles—on this single interstate stretch before transitioning onto I-705 and Tacoma Avenue South. While the drive is efficient, anticipate a very consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroad journey. The route feels like a standard metropolitan commute, maintaining a steady pace as you move south through the region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 31.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 705. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Spring Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 33.6 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 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Spring Street
Turn right onto Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
8
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5 toward Airport Way
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward Airport Way
8
32.6 mi into trip
|
~42m 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
32.9 mi into trip
|
~43m 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 Along This Route
Between Seattle, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Dome Station.
Tacoma Dome
31.7 mi in
|
~40m
Tacoma Dome Station
31.8 mi in
|
~41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 31.2 mi | 39m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Tacoma Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Spring Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 11th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 31.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
204 ft
·
11 sec
·
Madison Street
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
308 ft
·
14 sec
·
4th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Spring Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
Continue on I 5
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
147 ft
·
2 sec
·
I 5
Toward I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
I 5
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
305 ft
·
4 sec
·
I 5
Toward Airport Way
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
30 mi
·
38 min
·
I 5
Toward I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
12
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
19
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
20
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is brief, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though keep in mind that I-5 traffic can be heavy during peak hours. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops given the short 45-minute duration. Focus your energy on navigating the transition from the interstate into the local streets of Tacoma. Since you will spend nearly your entire trip on high-speed roads, ensure your vehicle is ready for highway speeds before you merge onto I-5.
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 16.8 miles from Seattle, WA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.2 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 33.6 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.8 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
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 Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA
This is one driving day of about 33.6 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Seattle, 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 31.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.8 mi from Seattle, WA · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.8 miles from Seattle, 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
$7.05 one way
$14.10 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $7.36 | $14.73 |
| premium | $5.77 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.46 | $14.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.53 | $1.61 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.94 | $1.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.70 | $2.15 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
7:46 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
3 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
45m 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 Seattle, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 33.6 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 705, Tacoma Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.8 miles from Seattle, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.05 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 33.6 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 0.1 miles (Spring Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.2 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Seattle, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma Dome and Tacoma Dome Station.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tacoma, WA
More trips to Tacoma, WA
Explore more options from Seattle, WA or browse trips ending in Tacoma, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Seattle, WA or Tacoma, WA on MapSof.net.