Origin
Tacoma, WA
Late night in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Big Lake, 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 9m
Distance
99.9 mi
161 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Lake, WA
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Tacoma, WA to Big Lake, WA is 99.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 9 minutes via I 5, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington, connecting two points in the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey primarily utilizing I 5, making it a convenient option for a quick transition north. Given its short duration and minimal stops, this route is ideal for a single-day trip where efficiency is key. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a smooth, albeit less varied, drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 92.2 mi | 1h 52m |
| East Division Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
| State Route 9 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| I 705 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mount Vernon Big Lake Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Broad Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South 13th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 92.2 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Big Lake, WA.
1
Start on South 11th Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
South 11th Street
2
Turn right onto Market Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Market Street
3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 13th Street
4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
213 ft
·
11 sec
·
I 705 SB Ramp
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Port of Tacoma
6
Merge onto I 705
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 705
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
92 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward WA 536 West: Kincaid Street
11
Turn sharp right onto Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broad Street
12
Turn left onto South 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
South 15th Street
13
Turn right onto East Division Street
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East Division Street
14
Enter roundabout onto East Division Street
76 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Division Street
15
Continue on East Division Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Division Street
16
Continue on Mount Vernon Big Lake Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Vernon Big Lake Road
17
At end of road, turn right onto WA 9
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 9
18
Arrive at destination
WA 9
Trip Plan
With a total duration under 2.5 hours and a fuel cost around $21, this is a trip best suited for a single day, leaving you plenty of flexibility. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in Tacoma. While there are no recommended stops, you'll want to be mindful of fuel; the longest stretch on I 5 is over 92 miles, so ensure your tank is adequately full before embarking. Rest areas are available along I 5 if needed, but the short distance means you won't need extensive breaks. A practical tip is to check traffic conditions on I 5 before you leave, as congestion can still impact this relatively short transit.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.2 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 22 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Lake, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tacoma, 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 Tacoma, WA
This is one driving day of about 99.9 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Tacoma, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 92.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50 miles from Tacoma, 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 92.2 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 0.1 and 2.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Market Street
Turn right onto Market Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South 13th Street
Turn left onto South 13th Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 5 North: Seattle
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.91 one way
$41.82 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $21.93 | $43.85 |
| premium | $5.77 | $22.69 | $45.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.06 | $44.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30 | 0 | $10.49 | $4.80 |
| Efficient EV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $4.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40 | 0 | $13.99 | $6.39 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Big Lake, WA
Late night in Big Lake on Sunday
Local time
3:16 AM
PDT
Current temp
63°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
4 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
2h 9m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 34.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major roads like I 5. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a continuous 92.2-mile segment on I 5. The route begins on East Division Street before merging onto the interstate. Expect a predictable driving experience with limited twists and turns, as the majority of the drive is on a well-maintained freeway. This profile means you'll cover ground efficiently, with the road character remaining largely the same for most of the 99.9 miles.
95% 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: 92.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and East Division Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Market Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 99.9 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 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 99.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.2 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 Big Lake, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (South 13th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 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 Big Lake, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Big Lake, WA
Explore more options from Tacoma, WA or browse trips ending in Big Lake, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.