Origin
Central Park, WA
Evening in Central Park on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
PDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Central Park, 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
1h 34m
Distance
71.9 mi
116 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central Park, WA
Hc Digital
Trip Overview
Central Park, WA to Tacoma, WA is 71.9 miles and takes about 1h 34m via I 5, WA 8, and Olympic Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip connecting two points within Washington's Pacific Coast region. With a highway-focused profile, this route is designed for efficient travel, making it a practical choice for moving between these locations. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so expect a consistent pace for the majority of the journey. If you're looking for a quick and easy transit, this drive fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36 miles from Central Park, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 26.7 mi | 33m |
| WA 8 | 21.1 mi | 26m |
| Olympic Highway | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| US 101 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| South 11th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South Sprague Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| WA 16 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Sprague Ramp | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 26.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Central Park, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on US 12
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Olympic Highway
2
Continue on WA 8
21 mi
·
26 min
·
WA 8
3
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 101
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
5
Merge onto I 5
27 mi
·
33 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
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.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sprague Ramp
12
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sprague Avenue
13
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
14
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1.5 hours, this trip offers great flexibility; you can leave Central Park at your leisure. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical journey, so monitor your fuel gauge but major refueling stops are unlikely to be a necessity for this distance. The longest stretch is 26.7 miles on I 5, so plan for a brief break before or after that segment if needed. Since this is a single-day, highway-focused drive, focus on a smooth and direct transit rather than extensive sightseeing along the way.
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 36 miles from Central Park, WA, or about 45m 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36 miles or 45m 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 17m
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 Central Park, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Central Park, WA
This is one driving day of about 71.9 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Central Park, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36 miles from Central Park, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 68.5 and 69.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
68.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m 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
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m 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
$15.05 one way
$30.10 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $15.78 | $31.56 |
| premium | $5.77 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.87 | $31.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.55 | $3.45 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.29 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.07 | $4.60 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
7:50 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
13 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 34m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 75% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience the efficiency of interstates and state highways for most of the 71.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 26.7 miles on I 5, allowing for a steady pace without frequent interruptions. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of WA 8 and Olympic Highway might introduce slight variations in road type as you approach your destination. Overall, expect a driving experience characterized by consistent speeds and straightforward navigation.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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 68.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 68.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.9 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 1h 34m. Total distance: 71.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). 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 68.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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