Tacoma, WA to Chewelah, WA is 341.9 miles and takes about 6h 36m via I 90, US 395, and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day drive primarily traverses Washington state, moving from the Pacific Coast region towards inland areas. The bulk of the trip is on major highways, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you need a practical way to cover a significant distance within the state with minimal fuss.
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
170.9 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
254.6 mi
4h 36m
US 395
27.5 mi
33m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
North Division Street
15.1 mi
19m
I 5
7.7 mi
9m
US 2
6.3 mi
15m
I 705
0.8 mi
1m
South 13th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 254.6 mi, about 4h 36m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~977 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,772
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Tacoma, WA and Chewelah, 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
7.7 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 18
27 mi·34 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi·8 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
14
Merge onto I 90
252 mi·4 hr 32 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395
2.9 mi·3 min·I 90; US 2; US 395
16
Take the exit onto US 2; US 395
0.2 mi·32 sec·US 2; US 395
Toward US 395 North, US 2 East: Colville, Newport
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 395
6.1 mi·14 min·US 2; US 395
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395
15 mi·19 min·North Division Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 395
128 ft·1 sec·US 395
20
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·US 395
21
Enter roundabout onto US 395
125 ft·1 sec·US 395
22
Continue on US 395
10 mi·12 min·US 395
23
Turn slight right
188 ft·2 sec
24
Enter roundabout
108 ft·1 sec
25
Continue
254 ft·3 sec
26
Turn straight onto US 395
16 mi·20 min·US 395
27
Arrive at destination
US 395
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 36-minute estimated drive time, leaving Tacoma in the morning should allow you to reach Chewelah well before evening. With a single recommended stop and 95% highway travel, you can easily cover the 341.9 miles in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach Chewelah, and plan your last refill accordingly, as there are limited services on the final stretch. The $69 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting your trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170.9 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 254.6 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 75 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.9 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chewelah, 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 341.9 miles and 6h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Tacoma, 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 254.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 299.2 — 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
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
9.8 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
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 142A
Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservat...
6
299.2 mi into trip|~5h 42m in|US 395 / North Division Street
Keep slight left at fork onto US 395 / North Division Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.15 one way
$146.29 round trip
$5.43/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$76.46
$152.91
premium
$5.89
$79.30
$158.59
diesel
$6.28
$84.48
$168.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.6
1
$35.90
$16.41
Efficient EV
85.5
0
$29.92
$13.68
EV Truck/SUV
136.8
1
$47.87
$21.88
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Tacoma, WA
Afternoon
in Tacoma on Thursday
Local time
1:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Cloudy
NNW 1 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Chewelah, WA
Afternoon
in Chewelah on Thursday
Local time
1:05 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Cloudy
N 2 mph1% 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
11 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
6h 36m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 23.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 341.9 miles on major roads like I 90 and US 395. You'll spend most of your time on this type of high-speed cruising, with the longest continuous stretch covering 254.6 miles on I 90. The transition to State Route 18 marks the end of the highway portion, meaning you'll experience minimal surface street driving overall. Expect consistent travel speeds for the vast majority of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 254.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 395. 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 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 19 significant decision points across 341.9 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,525 ft250 ft
Total Climb
3,743 ft
Total Descent
2,320 ft
Highest Point
2,525 ft
~73.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,275 ft
Notable High Points
2,525 ft at ~73.3 miles+630 ft prominence
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 Chewelah, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Newport along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 36m. Total distance: 341.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 254.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Chewelah, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Chewelah, WA before the return drive.
