Spanning 284.7 miles across Washington, this trip from Colfax to Tacoma typically takes about 5 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because the route is straightforward, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey, though you should budget approximately $60 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via WA 26, I-90, and State Route 18, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of the transit. While this trek stays within the Pacific Coast region, it transitions you from the eastern plains toward the western urban centers. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a direct path between these two points.
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
142.4 miles from Colfax, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 26
129.3 mi
2h 44m
I 90
112.3 mi
2h 2m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
I 5
7.2 mi
9m
Colfax Airport Road
3 mi
4m
West Fairview Street
0.6 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.5 mi
1m
Snoqualmie Parkway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 129.3 mi, about 2h 44m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,108
Quietest
2 AM
~99 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
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 Colfax, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
98 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto WA 272
138 ft·12 sec·East Canyon Street
3
Turn left onto US 195
0.4 mi·1 min·South Main Street
4
Continue on South Main Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·South Main Street
5
Turn right onto West Fairview Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Fairview Street
6
Continue on West Almota Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Almota Road
7
Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road
3.0 mi·4 min·Colfax Airport Road
8
Turn left onto WA 26
129 mi·2 hr 44 min·WA 26
9
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
10
Merge onto I 90
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
14
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
18
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 133Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
20
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi·22 sec·I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward A Street, City CenterUse the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific AvenueUse the slight left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·Tacoma Avenue South
27
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft·1 sec·South 11th Street
28
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a long, highway-dominated haul, aim to depart early in the day to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Tacoma area. You only have one planned stop in your itinerary, so use it wisely to stretch your legs and refuel before hitting the final stretch on State Route 18. Given the $60 fuel estimate, it is smart to check your vehicle's range before leaving Colfax to ensure you don't get caught needing to fill up in high-traffic zones. Because the drive is essentially a straight shot, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you feel fatigue setting in. Prioritize your comfort on the 129.3-mile WA 26 leg, as that initial, lengthy stretch sets the tone for your entire day on the road.
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 142.4 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.3 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 63 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.4 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, WA
This is one driving day of about 284.7 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Colfax, 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 WA 26 for about 129.3 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 246.8 and 283.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
246.8 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
247 mi into trip|~4h 57m 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
274.7 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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
283.7 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
283.9 mi into trip|~5h 46m 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
$55.46 one way
$110.92 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$58.11
$116.21
premium
$5.39
$60.43
$120.85
diesel
$4.80
$53.76
$107.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.4
1
$29.89
$13.67
Efficient EV
71.2
0
$24.91
$11.39
EV Truck/SUV
113.9
1
$39.86
$18.22
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Colfax, WA
Late night
in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Smoke
SW 1 to 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Late night
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
2:55 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 2 to 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 11:13AM PDT until July 17 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
1 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
5h 49m 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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 265.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 97% of this route consists of highway travel. The most significant portion of your drive occurs on WA 26, where you will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 129.3 miles. This creates a consistent rhythm that requires focus, especially as you transition from the relative openness of the eastern highways onto the busier lanes of I-90 and State Route 18. The road’s personality is defined by its efficiency and reliance on major arteries, making it a functional drive rather than a winding backroads excursion. You should prepare for a steady, highway-focused pace that demands alertness throughout the nearly six-hour duration.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.3 mi on WA 26.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 246.8 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 284.7 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 246.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 247 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,288 ft250 ft
Total Climb
2,341 ft
Total Descent
4,066 ft
Highest Point
2,288 ft
~203.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,039 ft
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 Colfax, 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 5h 49m. Total distance: 284.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.3 miles on WA 26. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 246.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 247 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.7 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tacoma, WA before the return drive.
