This 218.9-mile journey from Connell, WA to Tacoma, WA, will take approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing major roads like I-90 and WA 26, before connecting to State Route 18. Given its manageable duration, this trip works well as a single-day adventure. You can expect to spend around $46 on fuel for this drive. Traveling within the same state and region, you'll experience a consistent Pacific Coast feel throughout your travels.
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
109.4 miles from Connell, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
112.3 mi
2h 2m
WA 26
57.4 mi
1h 19m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
I 5
7.2 mi
9m
Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
4m
South Roxboro Road
2.6 mi
4m
Lind-Hatton Road
1.3 mi
2m
North Columbia Avenue
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 112.3 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Connell, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on East Clark Street
46 ft·6 sec·East Clark Street
2
Turn right onto North Columbia Avenue
259 ft·8 sec·North Columbia Avenue
3
Continue on North Columbia Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·North Columbia Avenue
4
Continue on Lind Road
0.1 mi·16 sec·Lind Road
5
Turn left onto US 395
4.5 mi·4 min·Thomas S. Foley Memorial Highway
6
Turn left onto Muse Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Muse Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto South Roxboro Road
2.6 mi·4 min·South Roxboro Road
8
Continue on Lind-Hatton Road
0.3 mi·28 sec·Lind-Hatton Road
9
Continue on 1st Avenue
386 ft·7 sec·1st Avenue
10
Turn slight right onto Bronson Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·Bronson Street
11
Continue on Lind-Hatton Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Lind-Hatton Road
12
Turn left onto WA 26
57 mi·1 hr 19 min·WA 26
13
Continue on this road
0.7 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
14
Merge onto I 90
112 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
18
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
22
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 133Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
24
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi·22 sec·I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward A Street, City CenterUse the slight left lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific AvenueUse the slight left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·Tacoma Avenue South
31
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft·1 sec·South 11th Street
32
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Tacoma with plenty of time to spare. With only one stop recommended, you have the flexibility to make it a quick pit stop or a more extended break. A good tip for this route is to be mindful of the 112.3-mile stretch on I-90; ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering this longer section, as services can be spaced out. Budgeting around $46 for fuel is a reasonable estimate for this trip.
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 109.4 miles from Connell, WA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.3 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 48 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.4 miles or 2h 22m 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 39m
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 Connell, 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 Connell, WA
This is one driving day of about 218.9 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Connell, 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 90 for about 112.3 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 180.9 and 218.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
180.9 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
181.2 mi into trip|~3h 41m 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
208.9 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
217.8 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
218.1 mi into trip|~4h 30m 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
$45.81 one way
$91.63 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$48.05
$96.09
premium
$5.77
$49.71
$99.42
diesel
$5.61
$48.33
$96.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.7
0
$22.98
$10.51
Efficient EV
54.7
0
$19.15
$8.76
EV Truck/SUV
87.6
1
$30.65
$14.01
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Connell, WA
Late night
in Connell on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Late night
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
109 mi in
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
16 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 32m 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 196.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 93% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 112.3 miles on I-90, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While much of the drive is highway-focused, the inclusion of WA 26 and State Route 18 provides some variation from the interstate. This mix means you'll spend most of your time on faster roads but will encounter different types of highway travel as you progress towards Tacoma.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WA 26. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 180.9 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 218.9 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 180.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.9 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 Connell, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn along the way.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
181.2 mi in|~3h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 218.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 180.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.9 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Tacoma, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
