Driving from Omak to Tacoma covers 250.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 16 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused route, you can realistically complete the journey in a single day, making it an efficient way to traverse this part of Washington. Budgeting approximately $53 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. By utilizing US 97, I-90, and State Route 18, you maintain a steady pace across the state. While it is certainly possible to make the drive in one go, planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed for the duration of the trek.
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
125.3 miles from Omak, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
113.4 mi
2h 23m
I 90
60 mi
1h 6m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
US 2
23.4 mi
30m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
I 5
7.2 mi
9m
Sunset Highway
3.1 mi
4m
Odabashian Bridge
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 113.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,355
Quietest
2 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
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 Omak, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on this road
56 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto WA 155 Spur
0.3 mi·56 sec·Omak Avenue East
3
Turn right onto WA 155
0.3 mi·46 sec·Dayton Street South
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 97; WA 20
78 mi·1 hr 39 min·US 97; WA 20
5
Continue on US 2; US 97
8.9 mi·11 min·US 2; US 97
6
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97
48 ft·1 sec·Sunset Highway
7
Continue on US 2; US 97
3.0 mi·4 min·Sunset Highway
8
Turn right onto US 2; US 97
0.8 mi·1 min·US 2/97
9
Continue on US 2; US 97
1.1 mi·1 min·Odabashian Bridge
10
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97
137 ft·5 sec·US 2; US 97
11
Continue on US 2; US 97
0.4 mi·44 sec·US 2; US 97
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 97
140 ft·2 sec·US 2; US 97
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2; US 97
14 mi·17 min·US 2; US 97
14
Take the exit onto US 97
0.3 mi·46 sec·US 2
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, SeattleUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn left onto US 97
35 mi·44 min·US 97
16
Continue on WA 970
9.8 mi·12 min·WA 970
17
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi·18 sec·WA 970
18
Turn left onto WA 970
0.2 mi·11 sec·Sunset Highway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 90 West
20
Merge onto I 90
60 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
24
Continue on WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, TacomaUse the straight lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
28
Merge onto I 5
7.2 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 133Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
30
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft·8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi·22 sec·I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward A Street, City CenterUse the slight left lane.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific AvenueUse the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi·59 sec·South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
36
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·Tacoma Avenue South
37
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft·1 sec·South 11th Street
38
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 250.6-mile trek, try to leave Omak early in the morning to avoid congestion as you approach the Tacoma region. With a 5-hour and 16-minute drive time, planning for one intentional stop is essential to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 113.4-mile segment on US 97, as this is your longest stretch without a major transition. Since the route is almost entirely highway-based, your pace will likely remain consistent, allowing for a predictable arrival time. Use the flexibility of a one-day trip to time your departure around peak traffic hours near your final destination.
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 125.3 miles from Omak, WA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.4 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 55 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.3 miles or 2h 42m 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 16m
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 Omak, 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 Omak, WA
This is one driving day of about 250.6 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Omak, 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 US 97 for about 113.4 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 106.7 and 249.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
106.7 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|US 97 / US 2
Take the exit onto US 97 / US 2 toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
9
212.9 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
240.6 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
249.6 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
249.9 mi into trip|~5h 14m 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
$48.82 one way
$97.64 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$51.15
$102.29
premium
$5.39
$53.19
$106.38
diesel
$4.80
$47.32
$94.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.2
0
$26.31
$12.03
Efficient EV
62.7
0
$21.93
$10.02
EV Truck/SUV
100.2
1
$35.08
$16.04
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Omak, WA
Morning
in Omak on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
W 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Morning
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
PDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 17 at 9:08PM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
91°F
Leavenworth, WA
125 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
8 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 16m 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 224.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 97% of the journey is spent on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 97, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 113.4 miles. Transitioning onto I-90 and finally State Route 18 shifts the character of the drive, moving you from primary corridors toward the Tacoma area. Because the vast majority of the mileage is highway-based, the experience is consistent and straightforward. Be prepared for a functional, high-speed transit that prioritizes efficiency over local road exploration.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.4 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 106.7 miles in near US 97 / US 2.
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 28 significant decision points across 250.6 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 106.7 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 240.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,435 ft250 ft
Total Climb
3,414 ft
Total Descent
4,008 ft
Highest Point
3,435 ft
~125.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,186 ft
Notable High Points
3,435 ft at ~125.3 miles+1,094 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Omak, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle and Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn.
Ellensburg
106.7 mi in|~2h 19m|via US 97
Seattle
106.7 mi in|~2h 19m|via US 97
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
212.9 mi in|~4h 25m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 16m. Total distance: 250.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m 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 113.4 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 106.7 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 212.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 240.6 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
