Benton City, WA to Tacoma, WA is 220.7 miles and takes about 4h 14m via I 82, US 97, and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive mostly sticks to major highways, making it a straightforward trip across Washington's Pacific Coast region. You'll transition from eastern Washington's drier landscapes towards the more populated areas west of the Cascades. Given its efficiency and single-day potential, this route is a solid choice for a quick transit or a day trip, especially if you're looking for a no-fuss drive.
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
110.3 miles from Benton City, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 82
95.4 mi
1h 43m
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
I 5
7.2 mi
9m
Babs Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
1st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
9th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 82
— 95.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,355
Quietest
2 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton City, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on WA 225
0.4 mi·57 sec·9th Street
2
Continue on WA 225
0.5 mi·1 min·Babs Avenue
3
Turn straight onto WA 225
0.4 mi·52 sec·1st Street
4
Enter roundabout
29 ft·0 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi·19 sec
6
Merge onto I 82; US 12
64 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 82; US 12
7
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
12
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
16
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 133Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
18
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi·22 sec·I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward A Street, City CenterUse the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific AvenueUse the slight left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·Tacoma Avenue South
25
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft·1 sec·South 11th Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 14m drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you get closer to Tacoma. With only one recommended stop and a 98% highway profile, you can easily cover the 220.7 miles in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $46, and utilize the services available along I 82 for your longest stretch of 95.4 miles. Since it's a relatively short and direct route, you have flexibility to stop more if needed, but planning for one main break should suffice.
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 110.3 miles from Benton City, WA, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.4 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 49 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
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 Benton City, 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 Benton City, WA
This is one driving day of about 220.7 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Benton City, 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 82 for about 95.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 97 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
97 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
9
183 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
8
210.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway Sou...
8
219.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward A Street, City Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward A Street, City Center
9
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.99 one way
$85.99 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$45.04
$90.09
premium
$5.39
$46.84
$93.68
diesel
$4.80
$41.67
$83.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.31
$8.83
EV Truck/SUV
88.3
1
$30.90
$14.12
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Benton City, WA
Late night
in Benton City on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
W 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Late night
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
3:50 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny
NNW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
25 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
4h 14m 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.
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 197.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend most of your time on the highway, with 98% of the 220.7 miles covered on major routes like I 82, US 97, and State Route 18. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 95.4 miles on I 82. This means you'll experience mostly uninterrupted cruising, with a significant portion of the drive featuring dense highway exits and merges as you approach urban areas. Surface roads will only become prominent in the final miles.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.4 mi on I 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 82 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97 miles in near US 97.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 220.7 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 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,602 ft85 ft
Total Climb
3,087 ft
Total Descent
3,335 ft
Highest Point
2,602 ft
~141.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,517 ft
Notable High Points
2,003 ft at ~78.8 miles+567 ft prominence
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 Benton City, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Tacoma, a major port on the Puget Sound, is the third-largest city in Washington State, with about 220,000 residents. It has a dynamic art scene and a great ballet.
Top landmarks
•Tacoma Narrows Bridge — suspension bridge that collapsed in 1940
•Browns Point Light — lighthouse in Washington, United States
•Fort Nisqually — an important fur trading and farming post of the Hudson's Bay Company
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 220.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.4 miles on I 82. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Tacoma, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
