Cle Elum to Tacoma is 96.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via I 90 and I 5, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Washington, traversing the Pacific Coast region for its entirety. It's a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single day, offering a practical connection between two points without requiring extensive planning. The bulk of the travel is on major highways, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Cle Elum, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
57.2 mi
1h 3m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
I 5
7.2 mi
9m
West 2nd Street
0.6 mi
1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
I 705
0.3 mi
<1m
Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
<1m
South 15th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 57.2 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cle Elum, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
206 ft·20 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto West 2nd Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
3
Turn left onto North Pine Street
488 ft·22 sec·North Pine Street
4
Turn right onto West 1st Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·West 1st Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 90 West
6
Merge onto I 90
57 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
10
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
14
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 133Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
16
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi·22 sec·I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward A Street, City CenterUse the slight left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific AvenueUse the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·Tacoma Avenue South
23
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft·1 sec·South 11th Street
24
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under two hours, you have the flexibility to leave Cle Elum whenever it suits you. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid any potential early rush hour traffic near Tacoma. Given the short duration and limited stops, you likely won't need more than one brief break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $20, and plan to refuel before you get too low, especially if you're not familiar with the service areas along I 90 or I 5.
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 48.2 miles from Cle Elum, WA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 55m 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 33m
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 Cle Elum, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cle Elum, WA
This is one driving day of about 96.5 miles and 1h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Cle Elum, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 57.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.5 and 95.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
86.5 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
95.7 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
$20.20 one way
$40.39 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$21.18
$42.36
premium
$5.77
$21.91
$43.83
diesel
$5.61
$21.31
$42.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29
0
$10.13
$4.63
Efficient EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
EV Truck/SUV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Cle Elum, WA
Morning
in Cle Elum on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Morning
in Tacoma on Tuesday
Local time
7:07 AM
PDT
Current temp
45°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
7 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 59m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 69.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for 95% of this 96.5-mile trip, with the longest continuous stretch covering 57.2 miles on I 90. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising, with frequent exits and merges as you transition between I 90, State Route 18, and I 5. Expect a consistent driving environment with minimal time spent on surface roads, especially as you approach Tacoma.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.2 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 58.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 58.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Cle Elum, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Cle Elum is a city in the North Central Cascades of Washington State. This sawmill and railroad town is a popular base for outdoor recreation. This article also includes the neighboring town of Roslyn, a coal-mining company town that retained enough charm through the years to become an occasional filming location. It was most prominently used for the 90's TV sitcom Northern Exposure.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 59m. Total distance: 96.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.2 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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.
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 58.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.5 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.
