Felida, WA to Tacoma, WA is 131 miles and takes about 2h 36m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily on the interstate, connecting two points within the Pacific Coast region of Washington state. Given its relatively short duration and the dominance of highway driving, it’s a trip best suited for those looking for efficient travel between these two cities. You'll spend most of your time on I 5, making it a practical option for commuting or a quick visit without extensive planning.
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
65.5 miles from Felida, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
121.6 mi
2h 16m
Northwest 179th Street
2.1 mi
3m
Northwest 41st Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
Northwest Seward Road
0.9 mi
1m
Northwest 36th Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
South 11th Street
0.9 mi
2m
South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
WA 16
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 121.6 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Felida, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on Northwest 34th Avenue
205 ft·9 sec·Northwest 34th Avenue
2
Turn right onto Northwest 122nd Street
452 ft·21 sec·Northwest 122nd Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto Northwest 36th Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Northwest 36th Avenue
4
Continue on Northwest Seward Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Northwest Seward Road
5
Continue on Northwest 41st Avenue
1.3 mi·2 min·Northwest 41st Avenue
6
Turn right onto Northwest 179th Street
2.1 mi·3 min·Northwest 179th Street
7
Continue on Northeast 179th Street
0.4 mi·55 sec·Northeast 179th Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the left / straight lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
122 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 132Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma MallUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
0.5 mi·43 sec·WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward Sprague AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec·Sprague Ramp
16
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Sprague Avenue
17
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South 11th Street
18
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only 131 miles and takes under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning will likely help you avoid the worst of any potential traffic, especially as you approach Tacoma. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $27, you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 121.6-mile stretch on I 5, ensuring you have enough to comfortably complete that long segment without needing to exit for gas.
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 65.5 miles from Felida, WA, or about 1h 18m 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 65.5 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
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 Felida, 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 Felida, WA
This is one driving day of about 131 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Felida, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 128.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
127.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m 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
127.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
128 mi into trip|~2h 29m 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
7
128.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
$27.42 one way
$54.83 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$28.75
$57.51
premium
$5.77
$29.75
$59.50
diesel
$5.61
$28.92
$57.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.29
Efficient EV
32.8
0
$11.46
$5.24
EV Truck/SUV
52.4
0
$18.34
$8.38
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Felida, WA
Night
in Felida on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Night
in Tacoma on Saturday
Local time
9:23 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
2 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 36m 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 131
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey on major highways like I 5. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 121.6 miles on I 5, which means consistent speed limits and minimal traffic interruptions for much of the trip. The initial and final segments may involve local roads like Northwest 179th Street and Northwest 41st Avenue, but these are brief transitions before merging onto the main interstate. Expect a steady pace with limited opportunities for spontaneous scenic detours.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Northwest 179th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 131 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 5.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.8 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 36m. Total distance: 131 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m 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 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 5.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.8 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.
