Origin
Tacoma, WA
Night in Tacoma on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Fern Prairie, 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 53m
Distance
144.1 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fern Prairie, WA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Tacoma, WA to Fern Prairie, WA is 144.1 miles and takes about 2h 53m via I 5, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Washington state, starting in the Pacific Coast region and ending in the same area. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single day of travel. You'll find it to be a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 125.2 mi | 2h 21m |
| I 205 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| Northeast Padden Parkway | 4 mi | 6m |
| Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Ingle Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Northeast 28th Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| I 705 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Brunner Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 125.2 mi, about 2h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Fern Prairie, 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: Portland
Use 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
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 205
Toward I 205 South: Salem
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 32
Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto Northeast Padden Parkway
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Northeast 152nd Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Northeast 152nd Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on Northeast 78th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 78th Street
14
Turn right onto WA 500
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 162nd Avenue
15
Turn left onto WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto WA 500
39 ft
·
0 sec
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
17
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
18
Continue on WA 500
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northeast 58th Street
19
Turn right onto Northeast 199th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
Northeast 199th Avenue
20
Continue on Northeast Ingle Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Ingle Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto Northeast Goodwin Road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Northeast Goodwin Road
22
Continue on Northeast 28th Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 28th Street
23
Continue on WA 500
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Northeast Dresser Road
24
Continue on WA 500
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northeast 25th Street
25
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Brunner Road
26
Continue on WA 500
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northeast 267th Avenue
27
Turn right
9 ft
·
0 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this trip is easily completed in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Plan to leave when you feel most comfortable, as there's ample daylight to make the drive. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 144.1 miles at your leisure, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before heading onto the longest stretch of I 5, as the $30 fuel budget suggests it's more economical to fill up before you depart or at a larger service area.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 23m 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fern Prairie, 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 144.1 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 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 125.2 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 137.3 — 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
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
131.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
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 32
Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
6
137.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
WA 500 / Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
Turn left onto WA 500 / Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.32 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $31.63 | $63.26 |
| premium | $5.77 | $32.72 | $65.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.82 | $63.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.17 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Fern Prairie, WA
Night in Fern Prairie on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°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
10 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 53m 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...
25 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 125.2 miles on I 5, which means extended periods of consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions. The character of the drive is largely defined by these interstate segments, offering a smooth and efficient travel experience for much of the 2h 53m duration.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 144.1 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 127.5 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 Fern Prairie, 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 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.5 miles (I 205): 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 Fern Prairie, 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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