Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Tacoma, WA to Machias, WA

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

Drive Time

1h 31m

Distance

65.8 mi

106 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 25m ★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 37m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 28m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Machias, WA, WA

Machias, WA

Jan van der Wolf

Trip Overview

This 65.8-mile drive from Tacoma, WA, to Machias, WA, will take you about 1 hour and 31 minutes. Primarily using I-405, I-5, and State Route 9, this trip is a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it's an economical choice for exploring the Pacific Coast region. The route offers a consistent highway experience, making it easy to manage your time and schedule. You won't need to break this trip into multiple days, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

32.9 miles from Tacoma, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 405 22.3 mi 27m
I 5 20.1 mi 25m
State Route 9 13.9 mi 21m
WA 522 2.4 mi 2m
20th Street Southeast 1.1 mi 1m
I 705 0.8 mi 1m
South Lake Stevens Road 0.6 mi 1m
South Machias Road 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 405 — 22.3 mi, about 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

20 mi · 25 min · I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

448 ft · 10 sec
Exit 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 405

19 mi · 24 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 405

3.0 mi · 3 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 23 Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 25 sec
Toward WA 522 East: Woodinville
16

Merge onto WA 522

2.4 mi · 2 min · WA 522
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward WA 9 North: Snohomish, Arlington Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn left onto WA 9

5.7 mi · 9 min · State Route 9
Use the left lane.
19

Continue on WA 9

5.3 mi · 7 min · State Route 9
20

Enter roundabout onto WA 9

83 ft · 1 sec · State Route 9
21

Continue on WA 9

2.8 mi · 4 min · State Route 9
Use the straight lane.
22

Enter roundabout onto South Lake Stevens Road

39 ft · 0 sec · South Lake Stevens Road
23

Continue on South Lake Stevens Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Lake Stevens Road
24

Turn right onto 20th Street Southeast

1.1 mi · 1 min · 20th Street Southeast
25

Continue on Williams Road

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Williams Road
26

At end of road, turn right onto Machias Cutoff

0.2 mi · 36 sec · Machias Cutoff
27

Turn left onto South Machias Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Machias Road
28

Turn left onto Division Street

299 ft · 13 sec · Division Street
29

Arrive at destination

Division Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 31 minutes, you have considerable flexibility with this trip. Leaving Tacoma in the morning or mid-afternoon should allow you to avoid peak traffic on I-405 and I-5. Since there are no specific stops recommended, you can easily adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14, and it's always wise to have a buffer. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 22.3 miles on I-405, so plan your refueling before you get too low.

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 32.9 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.3 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 14 miles or 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.9 miles or 43m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Machias, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Tacoma, WA

This is one driving day of about 65.8 miles and 1h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Tacoma, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 405 for about 22.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellevue, WA

33 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.

Popular next leg

Bellevue, WA to Machias, WA

30.8 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Federal Way, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Renton, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.9 miles from Tacoma, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Due' Cucina Italian Restaurant - Totem Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kirkland, Washington

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14257777725

Visit website

Anchovies and Salt

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Renton, Washington

0.5 mi

Tina’s Kitfo, Restaurant & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Seattle, Washington

1.3 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

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bellevue, Washington

1.6 mi

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Renton, Washington

1.9 mi

Due' Cucina Italian Restaurant - Totem Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 42.3

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14257777725

Visit website

Anchovies and Salt

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately mile 28.2

Renton, Washington

Hours: 12–9 pm

+14259703154

Visit website

Tina’s Kitfo, Restaurant & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 28.2

Seattle, Washington

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12064204871

Visit website

Russell's Restaurant & Loft

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $50 to $10 mile 47

Bothell, Washington

Hours: 5–9 pm

+14258928492

Visit website

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $100 or ab mile 37.6

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14254560010

Visit website

Castilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 37.6

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 11:30 am–10 pm

+14256252931

Visit website

Grilla Bites Co-op Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 56.4

Snohomish, Washington

Hours: 10 am–7 pm

+13605687333

Visit website

SOI Thai Restaurant & Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 42.3

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14252027465

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

Amoré Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 37.6

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 5:30 am–6 pm

+14255035792

Visit website

Candor Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.5

Renton, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+12532368630

Visit website

Cafe Seoul

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 14.1

Federal Way, Washington

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12064605185

Visit website

Daisy Mae's Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 18.8

Kent, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–5 pm

+12538725580

Rainier Valley Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 4.7

Puyallup, Washington

Hours: 4 am–6 pm

Visit website

Sandbox VR

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 42.3

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14254037557

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

Swan Creek Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 4.7

Tacoma, Washington

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12533051000

Visit website

Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 37.6

Kirkland, Washington

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14255873300

Visit website

Brewers Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 51.7

Snohomish, Washington

Hours: 4:30 am–6 pm

Visit website

Woodinville Whiskey Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 47

Woodinville, Washington

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14255178220

Visit website

Wilburton Hill Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 37.6

Bellevue, Washington

Hours: 6:30 am–8:30 pm

+14254526914

Visit website

Conundroom Escape Rooms Willows BP: School of Magic, Crafted, Kids Birthday Parties

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 42.3

Redmond, Washington

Hours: 4:30–9:30 pm

+14255521430

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 44.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
22.2 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue

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 154A-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
22.3 mi into trip | ~29m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
8
44.9 mi into trip | ~58m in

Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville

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 23 Toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.77 one way

$27.54 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $14.44 $28.88
premium $5.77 $14.94 $29.88
diesel $5.61 $14.53 $29.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.7 0 $6.91 $3.16
Efficient EV 16.5 0 $5.76 $2.63
EV Truck/SUV 26.3 0 $9.21 $4.21

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tacoma, WA

Night in Tacoma on Saturday

Local time

9:42 PM

PDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Machias, WA

Night in Machias on Saturday

Local time

9:42 PM

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

1h 31m 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

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 36.3
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 drive for 90% of this journey. You'll experience a significant stretch of 22.3 miles on I-405, setting a brisk pace for a good portion of your travel. The transition onto I-5 and then State Route 9 will maintain a high-speed environment for most of the trip. This route is characterized by its efficiency, offering a smooth and direct path between your starting and ending points without many slow-downs or winding sections. It’s designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.3 mi on I 405.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.8 miles you will encounter 24 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 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; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Tacoma, WA and Machias, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue, Woodinville and Arlington.

Bellevue

22.2 mi in | ~29m

Woodinville

44.9 mi in | ~58m

Arlington

48.6 mi in | ~1h 3m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 65.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 22.3 miles on I 405. 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 Machias, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: 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; at 22.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Machias, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Tacoma, WA

Asotin, WA 325.8 mi · 7h Mead, WA 304.4 mi · 5h 49m Spokane Valley, WA 301.7 mi · 5h 39m Dayton, WA 283.6 mi · 6h 5m Highland, WA 242.7 mi · 4h 38m Bridgeport, WA 230.2 mi · 4h 54m

More trips to Machias, WA

Spokane Valley, WA 312.1 mi Spokane, WA 303.2 mi Vancouver, WA 196.2 mi Federal Way, WA 54.1 mi Kent, WA 48.3 mi Seattle, WA 35.5 mi
Escape planner: Tacoma, WA Scenic drives in WA

Explore more options from Tacoma, WA or browse trips ending in Machias, WA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.