This 83.7-mile drive from Tacoma, WA to Bryant, WA takes approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes and is a perfect option for a single-day trip. With 98% of the journey on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I-5 and State Route 9. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $18, making it an affordable option. Given the relatively short duration and focused highway profile, this trip is best undertaken without an overnight stop. It's a straightforward connection within the Pacific Coast region, ideal for getting you efficiently from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
74.4 mi
1h 32m
State Route 9
3.2 mi
5m
State Highway 530 Northeast
2.3 mi
3m
WA 530
1.4 mi
2m
I 705
0.8 mi
1m
South 13th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Market Street
0.1 mi
<1m
South 11th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 74.4 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Bryant, 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: SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 5
74 mi·1 hr 32 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 208Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, DarringtonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto WA 530
2.3 mi·3 min·State Highway 530 Northeast
12
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
51 ft·0 sec·WA 530
13
Continue on WA 530
0.3 mi·26 sec·WA 530
14
Enter roundabout onto WA 530
89 ft·1 sec·WA 530
15
Continue on WA 530
1.1 mi·1 min·WA 530
16
Turn left onto WA 9; WA 530
3.2 mi·5 min·State Route 9
17
Turn right onto Grandview Road
202 ft·11 sec·Grandview Road
18
Turn left
13 ft·1 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 48-minute drive, leaving in the morning will likely help you avoid any potential traffic delays as you traverse I-5. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick fuel stop before you depart or be aware of services along I-5. The longest stretch of 74.4 miles on I-5 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. Given the relatively short distance, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. A practical tip: check your tire pressure before you leave, especially if you plan to maintain highway speeds for the majority of the 83.7-mile trip.
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 41.8 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.4 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 54m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bryant, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tacoma, WA
This is one driving day of about 83.7 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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 74.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 76.5 — 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
8
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
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 208
Toward WA 530 East: Arlington, Darrington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.52 one way
$35.04 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$18.37
$36.74
premium
$5.77
$19.01
$38.01
diesel
$5.61
$18.48
$36.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.1
0
$8.79
$4.02
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.32
$3.35
EV Truck/SUV
33.5
0
$11.72
$5.36
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tacoma, WA
Late night
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bryant, WA
Late night
in Bryant on Sunday
Local time
2:54 AM
PDT
Current temp
65°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
6 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 48m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 98% of the 83.7 miles spent on major roadways like I-5 and State Route 9. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 74.4 miles, primarily on I-5. This means you'll experience consistent, faster-paced travel for the majority of your journey. While the specific changes in scenery aren't detailed, the shift from I-5 to State Route 9 suggests a transition from a major interstate to a significant state highway, likely offering a different driving feel as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and State Route 9. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.7 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 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.
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 Tacoma, WA to Bryant, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Darrington along the way.
Darrington
76.5 mi in|~1h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 83.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.4 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 Bryant, 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 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 Bryant, WA before heading back.
