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Trip from Sumas, WA to Tacoma, WA

Drive Time

3h 7m

Distance

144.9 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Whatcom County, Washington, United States

Sumas, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Sumas, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 144.9 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 5, Everson Goshen Road, Nooksack Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 120.6 miles on I 5. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.41 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

72.4 miles from Sumas, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 144.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and Everson Goshen Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 120.6 miles on I 5.

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 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 120.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Everson Goshen Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 142.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 144.9 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 142.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
142.9 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in

Take the exit toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 133 Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Ta...
7
143 mi into trip | ~3h 3m 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
143.1 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 705 North: City Center

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 705 North: City Center
8
143.8 mi into trip | ~3h 4m 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
144.1 mi into trip | ~3h 4m 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 5 120.6 mi 2h 25m
Everson Goshen Road 7.8 mi 11m
Nooksack Road 3.3 mi 5m
Mount Baker Highway 2.4 mi 3m
East Sunset Drive 2.4 mi 4m
Easterbrook Road 1.8 mi 2m
East Badger Road 1.5 mi 2m
East Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 120.6 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sumas, WA and Tacoma, WA.

1

Start on WA 9

0.8 mi · 2 min · Cherry Street
2

Continue on WA 9

1.8 mi · 2 min · Easterbrook Road
3

Continue on WA 9

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Badger Road
4

Turn left onto WA 9

3.3 mi · 5 min · Nooksack Road
5

Turn right onto WA 544

0.3 mi · 29 sec · West Columbia Street
6

Continue on WA 544

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
7

Continue on WA 544

0.5 mi · 40 sec · Everson Road
8

Turn straight onto WA 544

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Kale Street
9

Turn straight onto WA 544

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Mead Avenue
10

Continue on WA 544

1.7 mi · 2 min · Everson Goshen Road
11

Continue on Everson Goshen Road

6.1 mi · 9 min · Everson Goshen Road
12

At end of road, turn right onto WA 542

2.4 mi · 3 min · Mount Baker Highway
13

Continue on WA 542

2.4 mi · 4 min · East Sunset Drive
14

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 5 South
15

Merge onto I 5

121 mi · 2 hr 25 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

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 72.4 miles from Sumas, WA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.6 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 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.4 miles or 1h 37m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 33m

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 Sumas, 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 Sumas, WA

This is one driving day of about 144.9 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sumas, 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 5 for about 120.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.4 mi from Sumas, WA · 1h 37m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Everett, WA

72 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.

Popular next leg

Everett, WA to Tacoma, WA

61.5 mi · 1h 7m

Pacing Suggestions

Kenmore, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mill Creek, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Sumas, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.6 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 109.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.41 one way

$60.82 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $31.76 $63.52
premium $5.77 $32.92 $65.84
diesel $5.64 $32.19 $64.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.5 0 $15.21 $6.96
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.68 $5.80
EV Truck/SUV 58 0 $20.29 $9.27

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Sumas, WA

Afternoon in Sumas on Monday

Local time

2:58 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tacoma, WA

Afternoon in Tacoma on Monday

Local time

2:58 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 7m 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 Sumas, WA to Tacoma, WA covers 144.9 miles and takes about 3h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Everson Goshen Road, Nooksack Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.4 miles from Sumas, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.41 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 144.9 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 142.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sumas, WA to Tacoma, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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