Origin
Mukilteo, WA
Morning in Mukilteo on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mukilteo, 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
1h 20m
Distance
59.1 mi
95 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mukilteo, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 59.1-mile drive from Mukilteo, WA to Tacoma, WA will take you about 1 hour and 20 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. Primarily following I-5, with initial segments on Mukilteo Speedway and Paine Field Boulevard, this route is heavily highway-focused. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for getting between these two Pacific Coast communities. You won't need to break this trip up, offering a straightforward journey with no designated stops. Plan for a smooth, efficient drive with minimal fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 47.9 mi | 59m |
| Mukilteo Speedway | 7.2 mi | 12m |
| Paine Field Boulevard | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| 84th Street Southwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Tacoma Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 11th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 47.9 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mukilteo, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on WA 525
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Mukilteo Speedway
2
Turn left onto WA 526
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
84th Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto WA 525 Spur
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Paine Field Boulevard
4
Turn slight left onto WA 525
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Mukilteo Speedway
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Seattle
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
491 ft
·
12 sec
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 5
48 mi
·
59 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
9
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
16
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
17
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.5 miles from Mukilteo, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 155 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 58.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.1 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 South: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Seattle
7
57.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome St...
7
57.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 705 North: City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 705 North: City Center
8
58 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
58.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
$12.37 one way
$24.74 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $12.97 | $25.94 |
| premium | $5.77 | $13.42 | $26.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.05 | $26.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.21 | $2.84 |
| Efficient EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.17 | $2.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Morning in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
7:39 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 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 20m 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?
Expect an 82% highway-focused experience on this route, dominated by I-5 for the longest stretch of 47.9 miles. The initial miles on Mukilteo Speedway and Paine Field Boulevard will transition you into the main interstate. This drive offers a consistent pace, characterized by the predictability of freeway travel. It’s the kind of journey where you can settle in and cover ground efficiently, with the landscape largely defined by the open road and surrounding infrastructure rather than dramatic natural changes.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Mukilteo Speedway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 59.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Mukilteo, WA to Tacoma, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Seattle along the way.
Seattle
8.4 mi in
|
~14m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 59.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.9 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.
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 9.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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