Traveling from Tacoma to Dallesport covers 223.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 24 minutes behind the wheel. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the journey. By sticking to a mix of I-5, I-205, and the Columbia River Highway, you get a straightforward path through the Pacific Coast region. Since the entire trip stays within Washington state, it remains a manageable drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while keeping travel logistics simple.
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
112 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
125.2 mi
2h 21m
Columbia River Highway
77.3 mi
1h 29m
I 205
14.7 mi
19m
Dallesport Road
2 mi
4m
The Dalles-California Highway
1.1 mi
1m
I 705
0.8 mi
1m
6th Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
South 13th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-5
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 151 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,821 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~372 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.3×
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 Tacoma, WA and Dallesport, 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 left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 5 South: PortlandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 5
125 mi·2 hr 21 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
15 mi·19 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 22Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The DallesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 84; US 30
77 mi·1 hr 29 min·Columbia River Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 197: Dufur, Bend
13
Turn left onto US 30; US 197
1.1 mi·1 min·The Dalles-California Highway
14
Turn left onto Dallesport Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Dallesport Road
15
Turn left onto 6th Avenue
0.2 mi·52 sec·6th Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
6th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a roughly 4.5-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid peak traffic congestion on the I-5 corridor. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer interstate sections, as stopping for gas while you are already off the main highway can save you time. Because you only need one stop, you have the flexibility to choose a location that fits your personal schedule rather than being forced into a rigid itinerary. Prioritize keeping your fuel costs around the $47 estimate by filling up before hitting the most remote highway stretches.
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 112 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.2 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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallesport, 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 223.9 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 5 for about 125.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 142.3 — 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 left at fork toward I 5 South: Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
7
127.5 mi into trip|~2h 26m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
142.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
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 22
Toward I 84 East, US 30 East: The Dalles
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.62 one way
$87.23 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$45.70
$91.39
premium
$5.39
$47.52
$95.04
diesel
$4.80
$42.28
$84.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.2
0
$23.51
$10.75
Efficient EV
56
0
$19.59
$8.96
EV Truck/SUV
89.6
1
$31.35
$14.33
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 18, 2026
Origin
Tacoma, WA
Late night
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Dallesport, WA
Late night
in Dallesport on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
PDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NW 16 to 22 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
83°F
Vancouver, WA
112 mi in
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
19 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
4h 24m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by significant highway segments, which account for 63% of your total travel time. You will spend the bulk of your journey on major interstates, including a long, uninterrupted 125.2-mile stretch on I-5. The road transitions from high-traffic interstate corridors to the Columbia River Highway, providing a change in pace as you head toward Dallesport. While the route is heavy on highway miles, the shift in scenery as you move through the region keeps the experience from feeling like a monotonous grind. Prepare for a consistent, fast-paced drive that rewards steady momentum.
63% 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: 125.2 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Columbia River Highway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Market Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 223.9 miles you will encounter 13 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.
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 24m. Total distance: 223.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.2 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Dallesport, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Dallesport, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
