Connecting the Pacific Coast hub of Aberdeen to Tacoma, this 78.2-mile journey is a straightforward trek across Washington state. You can expect a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of roughly $16, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly. Because the entire journey takes place within the Pacific Coast region, you won't experience drastic shifts in landscape, but you will transition from a coastal town to a major urban center. It is a highly practical drive if you need to reach the Tacoma area quickly without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Aberdeen, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
26.7 mi
33m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
East Wishkah Street
1.5 mi
3m
South 11th Street
0.9 mi
2m
South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
WA 16
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 26.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aberdeen, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on US 101
310 ft·16 sec·East Wishkah Street
2
Turn left onto South I Street
365 ft·23 sec·South I Street
3
Turn left onto US 101
0.4 mi·59 sec·East Heron Street
4
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
5
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
6
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
7
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
8
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
10
Merge onto I 5
27 mi·33 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 132Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma MallUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
0.5 mi·43 sec·WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward Sprague AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec·Sprague Ramp
17
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Sprague Avenue
18
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South 11th Street
19
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 45-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. You should aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the I-5 portion of your drive. Because there are no designated stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the 78.2-mile distance in one go. Keep your $16 fuel budget in mind as you prep your vehicle, and ensure your tank is full before leaving Aberdeen to avoid mid-route refueling. Taking advantage of the route's simplicity allows you to plan your arrival in Tacoma with confidence and ease.
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 39.1 miles from Aberdeen, WA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.7 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 52m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tacoma, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aberdeen, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aberdeen, WA
This is one driving day of about 78.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Aberdeen, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 26.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 74.8 and 76 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
74.8 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
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 132
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
9
75 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma Mall
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South...
8
75.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
6
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|WA 16
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16 toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
76 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward Sprague Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.37 one way
$32.73 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$17.16
$34.33
premium
$5.77
$17.76
$35.52
diesel
$5.61
$17.27
$34.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.21
$3.75
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.84
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.95
$5.00
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 19, 2026
Origin
Aberdeen, WA
Afternoon
in Aberdeen on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Afternoon
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°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
14 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
1h 45m 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 78.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of WA 8, the Olympic Highway, and I-5 to reach your destination. The experience is characterized by steady highway cruising rather than technical, winding roads. Be prepared for a long, consistent stretch of 26.7 miles once you merge onto I-5, which serves as the primary artery for the latter portion of your trip. Overall, the route offers a reliable and predictable pace that keeps you moving toward your destination without unnecessary local road complications.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.7 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 74.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Aberdeen is a city in the Olympic Peninsula region of Washington. The city is the economic center of Grays Harbor County, bordering the cities of Hoquiam and Cosmopolis. The population was about 17,000 in 2019.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 78.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.7 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tacoma, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 74.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tacoma, WA before heading back.
