Richland, WA to Tacoma, WA is 216.1 miles and takes about 4h 25m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Pacific Coast region, moving from eastern Washington towards the Puget Sound area. With 75% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct trip. This is a solid option for a single-day excursion, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Washington cities.
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
108.1 miles from Richland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
112.3 mi
2h 2m
Vantage Highway
48.1 mi
1h 2m
State Route 18
26.7 mi
34m
State Route 243
14.3 mi
21m
I 5
7.2 mi
9m
Stevens Drive
1.2 mi
3m
WA 26
1 mi
1m
Jadwin Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 112.3 mi, about 2h 2m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 70 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,108
Quietest
2 AM
~99 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
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 Richland, WA and Tacoma, WA.
1
Start on Williams Boulevard
111 ft·7 sec·Williams Boulevard
2
Turn right onto Stevens Drive
1.2 mi·3 min·Stevens Drive
3
Turn right onto Catskill Street
285 ft·14 sec·Catskill Street
4
Turn left onto WA 240 Bus
0.3 mi·45 sec·Jadwin Avenue
5
Continue on WA 240
8.3 mi·11 min·Vantage Highway
6
Turn slight left
119 ft·2 sec
7
Enter roundabout
105 ft·1 sec
8
Continue
247 ft·4 sec
9
Turn straight onto WA 240
40 mi·50 min·Vantage Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto WA 243
86 ft·1 sec·State Route 243
Toward Vantage
11
Continue on WA 243
14 mi·21 min·State Route 243
Toward Vantage
12
At end of road, turn left onto WA 26
1.0 mi·1 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 4h 25m drive, leaving Richland, WA in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. There's one recommended stop, but with the relatively short duration, you can be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading into longer stretches; the estimated fuel cost is $48. The longest segment without a major road change is over 112 miles on I 90, so plan your breaks accordingly before or after this part of the drive. This route is easily manageable in a single day.
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 108.1 miles from Richland, WA, or about 2h 16m 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 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.1 miles or 2h 16m 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 32m
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 Richland, 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 Richland, WA
This is one driving day of about 216.1 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Richland, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 178.2 and 215.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
178.2 mi into trip|~3h 33m 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
178.4 mi into trip|~3h 34m 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
206.1 mi into trip|~4h 10m 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
215.1 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
215.3 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
$42.10 one way
$84.19 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$44.10
$88.21
premium
$5.39
$45.87
$91.73
diesel
$4.80
$40.80
$81.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.8
0
$22.69
$10.37
Efficient EV
54
0
$18.91
$8.64
EV Truck/SUV
86.4
1
$30.25
$13.83
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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 13, 2026
Origin
Richland, WA
Late night
in Richland on Monday
Local time
12:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
E 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Late night
in Tacoma on Monday
Local time
12:19 AM
PDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 8 mph0% chanceLive 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
25 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 25m 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 193.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 75% of this 216.1-mile drive on highways. The longest uninterrupted highway stretch is 112.3 miles on I 90. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, including Vantage Highway and State Route 18. Expect a change from consistent highway cruising to a more rural feel as you move off the main interstate.
75% 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 Vantage Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 178.2 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 22 significant decision points across 216.1 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 178.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.1 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
2,483 ft84 ft
Total Climb
3,642 ft
Total Descent
3,776 ft
Highest Point
2,483 ft
~138.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,399 ft
Notable High Points
2,404 ft at ~77.2 miles+890 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richland, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Vantage and Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn.
Richland is a city of 51,000 people (2020) in the Columbia River Plateau, where the Yakima River flows into the Columbia. It is the closest city to the Hanford Nuclear Site, where development of its historic nuclear reactor lead to a large national research lab and a waste remediation effort that is the single largest construction project in the country.
Richland is one of the Tri-Cities of Washington, which also includes Kennewick and Pasco. The Tri-Cities are the third most populous metropolitan area in the state, after Seattle-Tacoma and Spokane.
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 4h 25m. Total distance: 216.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). 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.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 178.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 178.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.1 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tacoma, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
