Origin
Brush Prairie, WA
Evening in Brush Prairie on Saturday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brush Prairie, WA to Tacoma, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
132.5 mi
213 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 27m
★
6 AM
2h 37m
8 AM
2h 58m
10 AM
2h 45m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 46m
5 PM
2h 57m
8 PM
2h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brush Prairie, WA
Robert So
Trip Overview
This 132.5-mile drive from Brush Prairie, WA to Tacoma, WA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes. The majority of your journey, 92% to be exact, will be on the interstate. With a projected fuel cost of around $28, it's an affordable excursion. This route focuses heavily on highway travel, making it a straightforward and efficient way to get between these two points in the Pacific Coast region. It's a practical option for those prioritizing speed and directness.
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
66.2 miles from Brush Prairie, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 121.6 mi | 2h 16m |
| Northeast 179th Street | 4 mi | 6m |
| Northeast 92nd Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 156th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South 11th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Sprague Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| WA 16 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Caples Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 121.6 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brush Prairie, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on Northeast 153rd Street
227 ft
·
13 sec
·
Northeast 153rd Street
2
Turn left onto WA 503 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Northeast Caples Road
3
Turn right onto WA 503
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Northeast 117th Avenue
4
Turn left onto Northeast 154th Street
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northeast 154th Street
5
Continue on Northeast 112th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Northeast 112th Avenue
6
Turn left onto Northeast 156th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 156th Street
7
Continue on Northeast 92nd Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 92nd Avenue
8
Turn left onto Northeast 179th Street
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Northeast 179th Street
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 5
122 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 132
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
Use 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 Mall
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use 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 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Use 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
Given the 2-hour 37-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one day. Aim for an early departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Tacoma. With only one suggested stop and a longest stretch of over 120 miles on I-5, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Consider filling up before you leave Brush Prairie to potentially save on gas prices further south. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your timing as needed, but keeping an eye on the clock will help you make the most of your time.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.2 miles from Brush Prairie, WA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.6 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.2 miles or 1h 19m 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 6m
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 Brush Prairie, 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 Brush Prairie, WA
This is one driving day of about 132.5 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Brush Prairie, 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 121.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.2 miles from Brush Prairie, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 129 and 130.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
129 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m 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
129.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
129.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
129.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
130.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
$27.73 one way
$55.46 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $29.08 | $58.16 |
| premium | $5.77 | $30.09 | $60.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.25 | $58.51 |
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: 46.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.91 | $6.36 |
| Efficient EV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.59 | $5.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53 | 0 | $18.55 | $8.48 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Tacoma, WA
Evening in Tacoma on Saturday
Local time
7:54 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
9 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
2h 37m 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 132.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 132.5-mile journey. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-5, with a longest uninterrupted stretch of 121.6 miles on this major artery. While Northeast 179th Street and Northeast 92nd Avenue play a role early on, the character quickly shifts to sustained highway cruising. This route is designed for efficiency, offering a consistent driving pace for the duration.
92% 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: 121.6 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Northeast 179th Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 129 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 132.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 129 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 37m. Total distance: 132.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.6 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 129 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.5 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tacoma, WA
More from Brush Prairie, WA
More trips to Tacoma, WA
Explore more options from Brush Prairie, WA or browse trips ending in Tacoma, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.