Origin
Tacoma, WA
Morning in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
7:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Clear 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 13m
Distance
102.7 mi
165 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clear Lake, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
This 102.7-mile drive from Tacoma, WA to Clear Lake, WA, is a straightforward 2 hour and 13 minute journey primarily on I-5. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical option for a single day trip. The route sticks to major highways for 95% of its length, making it a convenient option for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Both your origin and destination are within the Pacific Coast region, so you'll experience a consistent feel throughout. This drive is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for a relaxed pace without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.3 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 93.5 mi | 1h 53m |
| East College Way | 3.6 mi | 7m |
| State Route 9 | 3.2 mi | 6m |
| 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 |
| I 705 SB Ramp | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 93.5 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Clear 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
93 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward WA 538 East: College Way
11
Turn right onto East College Way
3.6 mi
·
7 min
·
East College Way
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto WA 9
183 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Route 9
13
Continue on WA 9
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 9
14
Turn right onto Lake Street
181 ft
·
13 sec
·
Lake Street
15
Turn left
25 ft
·
1 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2 hour and 13 minute duration and 102.7-mile length, this route offers plenty of flexibility. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with ample time to explore your destination or head back. With a low estimated fuel cost of $21, you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling. The longest stretch is 93.5 miles on I-5, so plan for a rest stop before or after this segment if needed. Pay attention to your exit for State Route 9, as it marks the transition from the main interstate to your final approach.
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 51.3 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.5 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 23 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.3 miles or 1h 4m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clear 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 102.7 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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 93.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.3 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 93.5 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 135 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
$21.49 one way
$42.99 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $22.54 | $45.08 |
| premium | $5.77 | $23.32 | $46.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.67 | $45.35 |
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: 35.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
| Efficient EV | 25.7 | 0 | $8.99 | $4.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.38 | $6.57 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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
Clear Lake, WA
Morning in Clear Lake on Sunday
Local time
7:25 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
2h 13m 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 31.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for the vast majority of this 102.7-mile trip, with 95% of your travel occurring on major roadways like I-5. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 93.5 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition to East College Way and then State Route 9 for the final portion of the drive. This means you'll primarily be on multi-lane highways, with a brief experience of more local arterial roads as you approach Clear Lake. It's a route designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.5 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 College Way. 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 13 significant decision points across 102.7 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 13m. Total distance: 102.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m 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 93.5 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 Clear 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 Clear 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.
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