This 172.9-mile drive from Tacoma, WA to Quincy, WA takes approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes and is a straightforward, highway-focused journey. With 99% of the route on major highways like I-90 and State Route 18, it's perfectly suited for a single-day trip. You can expect a fuel cost of around $36 for this excursion. The drive offers a practical way to travel between destinations within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B.
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
86.5 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
123.7 mi
2h 15m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
WA 281
10.7 mi
14m
I 5
7.7 mi
9m
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
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 123.7 mi, about 2h 15m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,207 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,108
Quietest
2 AM
~99 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.2×
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 Quincy, 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: SeattleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 5 North: SeattleUse 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 142AToward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot ReservationUse 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
124 mi·2 hr 15 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward WA 281 North: Quincy, Wenatchee
16
Turn left onto WA 281
11 mi·14 min·WA 281
17
Turn right onto D Street Southeast
200 ft·8 sec·D Street Southeast
18
Arrive at destination
D Street Southeast
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a day trip. Consider an early morning departure from Tacoma to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 123.7-mile stretch on I-90, as services might be more spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is $36, so budget accordingly for your trip.
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 86.5 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.7 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.5 miles or 1h 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 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quincy, 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 172.9 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 123.7 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 15
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
$38.31 one way
$76.62 round trip
$5.63/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.91
$40.20
$80.39
premium
$6.08
$41.39
$82.77
diesel
$5.35
$36.42
$72.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.9
0
$18.15
$8.30
Efficient EV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
EV Truck/SUV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of May 31, 2026
Origin
Tacoma, WA
Afternoon
in Tacoma on Wednesday
Local time
2:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
N 2 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 8:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Quincy, WA
Afternoon
in Quincy on Wednesday
Local time
2:55 PM
PDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
W 7 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 8:44AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
14 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
3h 22m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 23.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a predominantly highway experience on this 172.9-mile trip, with 99% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-90, including a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 123.7 miles. While the route is largely efficient, it's important to note the character is primarily functional, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing. Expect a consistent driving pace for most of the journey as you navigate these main arteries.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. 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 Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 172.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
2,477 ft132 ft
Total Climb
3,537 ft
Total Descent
2,483 ft
Highest Point
2,477 ft
~74.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,345 ft
Notable High Points
2,155 ft at ~135.9 miles+644 ft prominence
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 Quincy, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation and Wenatchee.
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 3h 22m. Total distance: 172.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.7 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Quincy, 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 11 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Quincy, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
