Trip from Tacoma, WA to Dayton, WA

Data updated 27 minutes ago

Drive Time

6h 5m

Distance

283.6 mi

456 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 52m ★

6 AM

6h 5m

8 AM

6h 31m

10 AM

6h 14m

12 PM

6h 12m

3 PM

6h 16m

5 PM

6h 30m

8 PM

5h 58m

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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Dayton, WA

Harrison Reilly

Trip Overview

This 283.6-mile drive from Tacoma, WA, to Dayton, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, with an estimated driving time of 6 hours and 5 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-90 and WA-26, with a short section of WA-261, making it a 97% highway experience. You can expect a fuel cost of around $59 for this trip. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entirety of this Washington State excursion.

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

141.8 miles from Tacoma, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

The majority of this 283.6-mile route is spent on high-speed highways, specifically I-90 and WA-26, contributing to its 97% highway share. Prepare for a long, uninterrupted stretch of 111.9 miles on I-90, which means you’ll experience consistent driving speeds for a significant portion of the journey. While the profile is highway-focused, the transition to WA-26 and then WA-261 might offer a slight change in scenery and road conditions as you approach your destination. This drive prioritizes efficient travel over winding, scenic byways.

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.

I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WA 26. 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 17 significant decision points across 283.6 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 (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 17 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Market Street

Turn right onto Market Street

Navigation decision point

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | South 13th Street

Turn left onto South 13th Street

Navigation decision point

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

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

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 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 Dayton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.

Pullman

150.1 mi in | ~2h 53m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	111.9 mi	2h 2m
WA 26	82.8 mi	1h 49m
WA 261	29.3 mi	51m
State Route 18	27.3 mi	34m
US 12	14.6 mi	18m
I 5	7.7 mi	9m
North Main Street	6.4 mi	11m
I 705	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 111.9 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South 11th Street

0.1 mi · 29 sec · South 11th Street

Turn right onto Market Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Market Street

Turn left onto South 13th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · South 13th Street

Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp

213 ft · 11 sec · I 705 SB Ramp

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward Port of Tacoma

Merge onto I 705

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 705

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 5 North: Seattle Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 5

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 5

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto WA 18

27 mi · 34 min · State Route 18

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on WA 18

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 East: Spokane

Merge onto I 90

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman

Turn straight onto WA 26

83 mi · 1 hr 49 min · WA 26

Turn right onto WA 260; WA 261

6.4 mi · 11 min · North Main Street

Turn left onto WA 261

29 mi · 51 min · WA 261

At end of road, turn right onto US 12

15 mi · 18 min · US 12

Turn left onto Patit Road

85 ft · 3 sec · Patit Road

Arrive at destination

Patit Road

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 6 hours and 5 minutes, this 283.6-mile trip is well-suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Tacoma to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. The longest stretch without a major road change is 111.9 miles on I-90, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, especially as you transition onto WA-26 and WA-261, where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $59.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 141.8 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 141.8 miles or 2h 44m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, 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 283.6 miles and 6h 5m.

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 I 90 for about 111.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.8 mi from Tacoma, WA · 2h 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

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

Monroe, WA

Fuel and coffee

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

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.8 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 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 miles.

Arriving in Dayton, WA

The final approach into Dayton, 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 Dayton, 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

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 29.3

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.36 one way

$118.71 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$62.25	$124.49
premium	$5.77	$64.40	$128.80
diesel	$5.61	$62.62	$125.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.1	1	$29.78	$13.61
Efficient EV	70.9	0	$24.82	$11.34
EV Truck/SUV	113.4	1	$39.70	$18.15

Gas CO2

99 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Tacoma, WA

Late night in Tacoma on Wednesday

Local time

1:38 AM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dayton, WA

Late night in Dayton on Wednesday

Local time

1:38 AM

PDT

Current temp

64°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 5m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Dayton, WA covers 283.6 miles and takes about 6h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, WA 26, WA 261. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 141.8 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 $59.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.

On the drive from Tacoma, WA to Dayton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.

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