The drive from Tacoma, WA to Arlington Heights, WA covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, Oso Slide Memorial Highway, State Highway 530 Northeast for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 74.4 miles on I 5.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.15 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.
Midpoint
43.3 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 86.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 86.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and Oso Slide Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 74.4 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 27 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 74.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Oso Slide Memorial Highway. 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 Market Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.7 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|South 13th Street
Turn left onto South 13th Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 208
Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tacoma, WA to Arlington Heights, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Darrington along the way.
Darrington
76.5 mi in|~1h 37m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
74.4 mi
1h 32m
Oso Slide Memorial Highway
2.6 mi
3m
State Highway 530 Northeast
2.3 mi
3m
115th Avenue Northeast
2 mi
4m
WA 530
1.5 mi
2m
I 705
0.8 mi
1m
228th Street Northeast
0.6 mi
1m
State Route 530 Northeast
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Arlington Heights, WA.
1
Start on South 11th Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·South 11th Street
2
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·Market Street
3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·South 13th Street
4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
213 ft·11 sec·I 705 SB Ramp
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward Port of Tacoma
6
Merge onto I 705
0.8 mi·1 min·I 705
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
74 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 208Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, DarringtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto WA 530
2.3 mi·3 min·State Highway 530 Northeast
12
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
51 ft·0 sec·WA 530
13
Continue on WA 530
0.3 mi·26 sec·WA 530
14
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
89 ft·1 sec·WA 530
15
Continue on WA 530
1.1 mi·1 min·WA 530
16
Enter roundabout onto West Division Street
96 ft·2 sec·West Division Street
17
Continue on West Division Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·West Division Street
18
Enter roundabout onto East Division Street
65 ft·2 sec·East Division Street
19
Continue on East Division Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Division Street
20
Turn left onto Manhattan Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·Manhattan Avenue
21
At end of road, turn right onto WA 530
517 ft·17 sec·East Burke Avenue
22
Continue on WA 530
0.1 mi·13 sec·Talcott Street
23
Continue on WA 530
0.3 mi·34 sec·State Route 530 Northeast
24
Continue on WA 530
2.6 mi·3 min·Oso Slide Memorial Highway
25
Turn right onto 115th Avenue Northeast
2.0 mi·4 min·115th Avenue Northeast
26
Turn left onto 228th Street Northeast
0.6 mi·1 min·228th Street Northeast
27
Arrive at destination
228th Street Northeast
Trip Plan
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 43.3 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington Heights, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tacoma, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tacoma, WA
This is one driving day of about 86.7 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Tacoma, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 74.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.3 mi from Tacoma, WA
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43.3 miles from Tacoma, 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 74.4 miles.
Arriving in Arlington Heights, WA
The final approach into Arlington Heights, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.15 one way
$36.29 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$19.03
$38.06
premium
$5.77
$19.69
$39.38
diesel
$5.61
$19.14
$38.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26
0
$9.10
$4.16
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.59
$3.47
EV Truck/SUV
34.7
0
$12.14
$5.55
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tacoma, WA
Evening
in Tacoma on Friday
Local time
5:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington Heights, WA
Evening
in Arlington Heights on Friday
Local time
5:48 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°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
2 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
1h 55m 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 Tacoma, WA to Arlington Heights, WA covers 86.7 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Oso Slide Memorial Highway, State Highway 530 Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.3 miles from Tacoma, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.15 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.7 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tacoma, WA to Arlington Heights, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Darrington along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
