The drive from Tacoma, WA to Friday Harbor, WA covers 134.2 miles and takes about 3h 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 5, Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor, State Route 20 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92.2 miles on I 5.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.09 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
67.1 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 134.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 40m highway drive covering 134.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 5 and Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor. The longest continuous stretch is about 92.2 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 37 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 92.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 134.2 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 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
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
6
107 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|State Route 20 Spur
Keep slight right at fork onto State Route 20 Spur toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
7
134 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|Spring Street
Enter roundabout onto Spring Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Friday Harbor, WA, road signs point toward Anacortes and San Juans Ferry.
Anacortes
107 mi in|~2h 16m|via State Route 20 Spur
San Juans Ferry
107 mi in|~2h 16m|via State Route 20 Spur
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
92.2 mi
1h 52m
Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor
19 mi
1h 4m
State Route 20
7 mi
9m
Memorial Highway
4 mi
6m
State Route 20 Spur
2.6 mi
3m
Oakes Avenue
2 mi
5m
12th Street
1.1 mi
2m
R Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 92.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Friday Harbor, 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
92 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward WA 536 West: Kincaid Street
11
Turn left onto WA 536
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Kincaid Street
12
Turn right onto WA 536
0.3 mi·27 sec·South 3rd Street
13
Continue on WA 536
0.8 mi·2 min·West Division Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on WA 536
4.0 mi·6 min·Memorial Highway
15
Take the ramp onto WA 536
0.3 mi·29 sec·WA 536
16
Merge onto WA 20
7.0 mi·9 min·State Route 20
17
Keep slight right at fork onto State Route 20 Spur
2.6 mi·3 min·State Route 20 Spur
Toward Anacortes, San Juans Ferry
18
Turn right onto R Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·R Avenue
19
Keep slight left at fork onto R Avenue
90 ft·5 sec·R Avenue
20
Keep slight right at fork onto R Avenue
0.4 mi·58 sec·R Avenue
21
Enter roundabout onto R Avenue
101 ft·5 sec·R Avenue
22
Continue on R Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·R Avenue
23
Turn left onto 20th Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·20th Street
24
Turn right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.5 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
25
Turn left onto WA 20 SPUR
1.1 mi·2 min·12th Street
26
Continue on WA 20 SPUR
1.6 mi·3 min·Oakes Avenue
27
Enter roundabout onto WA 20 SPUR
99 ft·2 sec·Oakes Avenue
28
Continue on WA 20 SPUR
0.4 mi·1 min·Oakes Avenue
29
Turn slight right onto WA 20 SPUR
0.7 mi·1 min·Ferry Terminal Road
30
Turn straight onto WA 20 SPUR
301 ft·22 sec·WA 20 SPUR
31
Turn straight onto WA 20 Spur
19 mi·1 hr 4 min·Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor
32
Continue on Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal
266 ft·19 sec·Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal
33
Turn right onto Front Street South
210 ft·7 sec·Front Street South
34
Enter roundabout onto Spring Street
189 ft·6 sec·Spring Street
35
Continue on Spring Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·Spring Street
36
Turn right onto Second Street South
58 ft·3 sec·Second Street South
37
Arrive at destination
Second Street South
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 67.1 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.2 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.1 miles or 1h 23m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friday Harbor, 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 134.2 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 5 for about 92.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.1 mi from Tacoma, WA
· 1h 23m into the drive
The midpoint is around 67.1 miles from Tacoma, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Friday Harbor, WA
The final approach into Friday Harbor, 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 Friday Harbor, WA.
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...
San Juan Island is well known for its splendid vistas, saltwater shores, quiet woodlands, orca whales and one of the last remaining native prairies in the Puget Sound/Northern Straits region. But it w...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 134.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.09 one way
$56.17 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$29.46
$58.91
premium
$5.77
$30.48
$60.95
diesel
$5.61
$29.63
$59.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.3
0
$14.09
$6.44
Efficient EV
33.6
0
$11.74
$5.37
EV Truck/SUV
53.7
0
$18.79
$8.59
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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
7:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Friday Harbor, WA
Evening
in Friday Harbor on Friday
Local time
7:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 40m 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 Friday Harbor, WA covers 134.2 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Anacortes ↔ Friday Harbor, State Route 20. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.1 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 $28.09 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 24 significant decision points across 134.2 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 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.
Between Tacoma, WA and Friday Harbor, WA, road signs point toward Anacortes and San Juans Ferry.
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.
