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Trip from Tacoma, WA to Dayton, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 5m

Distance

283.6 mi

456 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

Good

6 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 52m ★
6 AM
6h 5m
8 AM
6h 31m
10 AM
6h 14m
12 PM
6h 12m
3 PM
6h 16m
5 PM
6h 30m
8 PM
5h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Dayton, WA, WA

Dayton, WA

Harrison Reilly

Trip Overview

This 283.6-mile drive from Tacoma, WA, to Dayton, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, with an estimated driving time of 6 hours and 5 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-90 and WA-26, with a short section of WA-261, making it a 97% highway experience. You can expect a fuel cost of around $59 for this trip. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entirety of this Washington State excursion.

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

141.8 miles from Tacoma, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 111.9 mi 2h 2m
WA 26 82.8 mi 1h 49m
WA 261 29.3 mi 51m
State Route 18 27.3 mi 34m
US 12 14.6 mi 18m
I 5 7.7 mi 9m
North Main Street 6.4 mi 11m
I 705 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 111.9 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Dayton, 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

7.7 mi · 9 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 142A Toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation Use 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

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
16

Turn straight onto WA 26

83 mi · 1 hr 49 min · WA 26
17

Turn right onto WA 260; WA 261

6.4 mi · 11 min · North Main Street
18

Turn left onto WA 261

29 mi · 51 min · WA 261
19

At end of road, turn right onto US 12

15 mi · 18 min · US 12
20

Turn left onto Patit Road

85 ft · 3 sec · Patit Road
21

Arrive at destination

Patit Road

Trip Plan

With a total duration of 6 hours and 5 minutes, this 283.6-mile trip is well-suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Tacoma to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic. The longest stretch without a major road change is 111.9 miles on I-90, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, especially as you transition onto WA-26 and WA-261, where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $59.

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 141.8 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 62 miles or 1h 17m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 141.8 miles or 2h 44m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, 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 283.6 miles and 6h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 111.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Cle Elum, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cle Elum, WA

142 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

Monroe, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kittitas, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.8 miles from Tacoma, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

My Dad's Place Restaurant and Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Dayton, Washington

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.6

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15093821112

Visit website

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ellensburg, Washington

1.4 mi

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ellensburg, Washington

1.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tacoma, Washington

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12532373403

Visit website

My Dad's Place Restaurant and Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 283.6

Dayton, Washington

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+15093821112

Visit website

Palace Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15099252327

Visit website

The Ridge Restaurant & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+15099685441

Visit website

Cactus Restaurant Proctor

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+12534589900

Visit website

The Restaurant & Terrace Bar at Salish Lodge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour Expensive mile 40.5

Snoqualmie, Washington

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14258882556

Visit website

Ram Restaurant & Brewery

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12537567886

Visit website

Chuck E. Cheese

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12534733078

Visit website

Naomi Joe Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12532373403

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Circle K Electric Vehicle Charging Station

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18335052291

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 101.3

Cle Elum, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Pilot EV Charging Station

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15099251777

Visit website

EVCS Charging Station

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 60.8

Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Visit website

Children's Museum of Tacoma

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12536276031

Visit website

Dick and Jane's Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 121.5

Ellensburg, Washington

+15099253224

Visit website

Swan Creek Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12533051000

Visit website

Lincoln Heights Park

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12533051000

Visit website

STAR Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12534043939

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 9.8 — 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
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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.36 one way

$118.71 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $62.25 $124.49
premium $5.77 $64.40 $128.80
diesel $5.61 $62.62 $125.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.1 1 $29.78 $13.61
Efficient EV 70.9 0 $24.82 $11.34
EV Truck/SUV 113.4 1 $39.70 $18.15

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tacoma, WA

Night in Tacoma on Saturday

Local time

9:24 PM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dayton, WA

Night in Dayton on Saturday

Local time

9:24 PM

PDT

Current temp

62°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

3 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

6h 5m 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

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free near mile 29.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The majority of this 283.6-mile route is spent on high-speed highways, specifically I-90 and WA-26, contributing to its 97% highway share. Prepare for a long, uninterrupted stretch of 111.9 miles on I-90, which means you’ll experience consistent driving speeds for a significant portion of the journey. While the profile is highway-focused, the transition to WA-26 and then WA-261 might offer a slight change in scenery and road conditions as you approach your destination. This drive prioritizes efficient travel over winding, scenic byways.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and WA 26. 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 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 283.6 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.

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 Dayton, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.

Pullman

150.1 mi in | ~2h 53m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 283.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Dayton, 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. 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dayton, WA before the return drive.

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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