Origin
Tacoma, WA
Night in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
9:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Colfax, WA
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
284.4 mi
458 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 34m
★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 13m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, WA
Abraham Castro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tacoma to Colfax covers 284.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 47 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day trip for those looking to reach their destination efficiently. You should budget approximately $60 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes I-90, WA 26, and State Route 18, keeping you on major thoroughfares for 99% of the trip. Because the drive is straightforward, you can easily manage it without needing an overnight stay, making it a practical choice for a direct commute across the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
142.2 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a consistent, highway-centric experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. With 99% of your travel occurring on highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising on major routes rather than navigating local streets. The character of the drive shifts significantly as you transition from the initial stretches to the 133.3-mile run along WA 26, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. This is an ideal route for drivers who prefer a steady, predictable pace rather than technical or complex road conditions. You will find that the rhythm of the drive stays steady, allowing you to cover the distance with minimal navigation stress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. 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.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 284.4 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 (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 16 key pointsThese 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
9.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Tacoma, WA to Colfax, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
Pullman
150.1 mi in
|
~2h 53m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 26 | 133.3 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 90 | 111.9 mi | 2h 2m |
| State Route 18 | 27.3 mi | 34m |
| I 5 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| I 705 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South 13th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 133.3 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Colfax, 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
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi
·
34 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
14
Merge onto I 90
112 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
16
Turn straight onto WA 26
133 mi
·
2 hr 50 min
·
WA 26
17
Continue on WA 26
415 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Walla Walla Highway
18
Merge onto US 195
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn left onto East Spring Street
139 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Spring Street
20
Turn right
257 ft
·
18 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 47-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on WA 26 and I-90, traffic patterns on these main arteries will dictate your best departure time; leaving early in the morning often helps you avoid the heaviest congestion. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before hitting the longer 133.3-mile stretch on WA 26, where service options might be more limited. Because this trip is designed as a single-day commitment, having a flexible start time gives you a major advantage in managing fatigue. Always double-check your vehicle's fluids before departing, as the consistent highway speeds will put steady demand on your engine.
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 142.2 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.3 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.2 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, 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.
+
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 Tacoma, WA
This is one driving day of about 284.4 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tacoma, 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 WA 26 for about 133.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.2 mi from Tacoma, WA · 2h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.2 miles from Tacoma, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WA 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.3 miles.
Arriving in Colfax, WA
The final approach into Colfax, 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 Colfax, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.69 one way
$119.38 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $62.33 | $124.67 |
| premium | $5.77 | $64.62 | $129.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.18 | $126.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.3 | 1 | $29.86 | $13.65 |
| Efficient EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.88 | $11.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.82 | $18.20 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Colfax, WA
Night in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
9:04 PM
PDT
Current temp
33°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
5 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
5h 47m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Colfax, WA covers 284.4 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 26, I 90, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.2 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 $59.69 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 284.4 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 (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 Colfax, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
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