Origin
Fern Prairie, WA
Evening in Fern Prairie on Saturday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fern Prairie, 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
2h 52m
Distance
143.7 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fern Prairie, WA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Fern Prairie, WA to Tacoma, WA is 143.7 miles and takes about 2h 52m via I 5, I 205, and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington state, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. The drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended one-day duration, you can expect a relatively quick transit between these two locations, suitable for a day trip or a travel day.
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
71.8 miles from Fern Prairie, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 123.4 mi | 2h 19m |
| I 205 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard | 4 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Ingle Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 28th Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| South 11th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| WA 500 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Brunner Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 123.4 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fern Prairie, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
9 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto WA 500
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Northeast 267th Avenue
3
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Brunner Road
4
Continue on WA 500
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northeast 25th Street
5
Continue on WA 500
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Northeast Dresser Road
6
Continue on Northeast 28th Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 28th Street
7
Continue on Northeast Goodwin Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northeast Goodwin Road
8
Turn right onto Northeast Ingle Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Ingle Road
9
Continue on Northeast 199th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Northeast 199th Avenue
10
At end of road, turn left onto WA 500
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Northeast 58th Street
11
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
12
Enter roundabout onto WA 500
103 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
13
Continue on WA 500
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
14
Turn left onto WA 500
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 500
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 205
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 5
123 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 16
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
WA 16
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward Sprague Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on Sprague Ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sprague Ramp
24
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sprague Avenue
25
Turn right onto South 11th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South 11th Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 52m estimated drive time and a single recommended stop, this trip is easily manageable in one day. Aim to depart Fern Prairie in the morning to maximize daylight hours and allow for any unexpected traffic. The fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you begin. With the majority of the drive on I 5, be aware of potential congestion, especially as you approach the Tacoma area. This straightforward route offers flexibility, so you can adjust your departure time as needed.
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 71.8 miles from Fern Prairie, WA, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.4 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 32 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.8 miles or 1h 28m 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 19m
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 Fern Prairie, 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 Fern Prairie, WA
This is one driving day of about 143.7 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Fern Prairie, 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 123.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.8 miles from Fern Prairie, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.4 miles.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 141.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 205 North: Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
8
140.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
140.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
140.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m 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
141.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
$30.08 one way
$60.15 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $31.54 | $63.08 |
| premium | $5.77 | $32.63 | $65.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.73 | $63.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.09 | $6.90 |
| Efficient EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.5 | 0 | $20.12 | $9.20 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
7:54 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
10 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 52m 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 route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey on major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on Interstate 5, including a longest stretch of 123.4 miles on this freeway. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel. The use of I 205 and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard provides some variation, but the overall feel remains that of a swift transit.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 143.7 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.5 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 52m. Total distance: 143.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.4 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 140.5 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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