Origin
Tacoma, WA
Morning in Tacoma on Wednesday
Local time
10:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Edmonds, WA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
50.6 mi
81 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 5m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 22m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 15m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edmonds, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 50.6-mile drive from Tacoma to Edmonds, Washington, will take you about 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete. Primarily on I-5, this route is a convenient option for a day trip, requiring no overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, it's an economical choice for exploring the Pacific Coast region within Washington. The journey is largely highway-focused, making it a quick and efficient way to travel between these two Puget Sound communities. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a direct and uninterrupted trip.
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
25.3 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 33m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect an 87% highway-focused experience on this route, with the majority of your travel occurring on I-5. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 43.2 miles, offering a consistent pace. As you transition from I-5 to Edmonds Way and 5th Avenue South, the road character will shift from high-speed interstate to more urban arterial roads. This segment is characterized by its efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss. The drive is designed for speed and directness, rather than scenic detours.
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 43.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Edmonds Way. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 50.6 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
45.3 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward WA 104: Edmonds, Lake Forest Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 177
Toward WA 104: Edmonds, Lake Forest Park
8
45.6 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 104 West: Edmonds
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WA 104 West: Edmonds
9
45.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 104 West: Edmonds, Kingston Ferry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 104 West: Edmonds, Kingston Ferry
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tacoma, WA and Edmonds, WA, road signs point toward Lake Forest Park and Kingston Ferry.
Lake Forest Park
45.3 mi in
|
~58m
Kingston Ferry
45.9 mi in
|
~59m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 43.2 mi | 54m |
| Edmonds Way | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| 5th Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| I 705 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South 13th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Market Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 43.2 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Edmonds, 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: 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
43 mi
·
54 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 177
Toward WA 104: Edmonds, Lake Forest Park
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward WA 104 West: Edmonds
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward WA 104 West: Edmonds, Kingston Ferry
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto WA 104
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way
14
Continue on WA 104
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
North 205th Street - Lake Ballinger Way
15
Keep slight right at fork onto WA 104
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Edmonds Way
16
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue South
17
Turn right onto Main Street
40 ft
·
28 sec
·
Main Street
18
Continue on Main Street
25 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
19
Turn sharp right onto 5th Avenue North
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
5th Avenue North
20
Arrive at destination
5th Avenue North
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 10 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the heaviest commuter traffic on I-5. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but if you choose to take a break, the longest stretch is 43.2 miles on I-5, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $11, but it's always wise to have a buffer. For a smooth arrival in Edmonds, be aware that the final approach involves local roads after exiting the interstate.
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 25.3 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 50.6 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 25.3 miles or 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edmonds, 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 50.6 miles and 1h 10m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 43.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 25.3 mi from Tacoma, WA · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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 50.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.3 miles from Tacoma, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Edmonds, WA
The final approach into Edmonds, 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 Edmonds, 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
$10.59 one way
$21.18 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $11.11 | $22.21 |
| premium | $5.77 | $11.49 | $22.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.17 | $22.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
| Efficient EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.43 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.08 | $3.24 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Edmonds, WA
Morning in Edmonds on Wednesday
Local time
10:44 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°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
17 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 10m 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 Edmonds, WA covers 50.6 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Edmonds Way, 5th 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 25.3 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 $10.59 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 15 significant decision points across 50.6 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Tacoma, WA and Edmonds, WA, road signs point toward Lake Forest Park and Kingston Ferry.
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