This 158.9-mile drive from Tacoma, WA, to Sunnyslope, WA, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-90 and US-97, with a brief segment on State Route 18. With a fuel cost estimated at $33, it's an economical option for a day trip within the Pacific Coast region. The drive offers a consistent highway experience, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
79.4 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
59.8 mi
1h 6m
US 97
35.2 mi
44m
State Route 18
27.3 mi
34m
US 2
14.8 mi
19m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
I 5
7.7 mi
9m
I 705
0.8 mi
1m
Sunset Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Sunnyslope, 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
60 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Cle Elum, Leavenworth
16
Turn left onto WA 970
0.4 mi·33 sec·Sunset Highway
17
At end of road, turn right onto WA 970
0.1 mi·10 sec·WA 970
18
Take the exit onto WA 970
9.8 mi·12 min·WA 970
19
Continue on US 97
35 mi·44 min·US 97
20
Take the exit onto US 97
15 mi·19 min·US 2
21
Enter roundabout onto Easy Street
225 ft·9 sec·Easy Street
22
Continue on Easy Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Easy Street
23
Arrive at destination
Easy Street
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 3-hour duration and 158.9-mile length, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. You can depart Tacoma at your convenience, but an early start will allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a planned stop is nearly 60 miles on I-90, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to time your breaks as needed. A specific tip: keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from I-90 to US-97, as services can sometimes be more spaced out on these highways.
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 79.4 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 35 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunnyslope, 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 158.9 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 59.8 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 19
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
$33.26 one way
$66.51 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$34.88
$69.75
premium
$5.77
$36.08
$72.17
diesel
$5.61
$35.08
$70.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.7
0
$16.68
$7.63
Efficient EV
39.7
0
$13.90
$6.36
EV Truck/SUV
63.6
0
$22.25
$10.17
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tacoma, WA
Morning
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sunnyslope, WA
Morning
in Sunnyslope on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
PDT
Current temp
43°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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 16m 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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 21.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-90 and US-97. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 59.8 miles on I-90, offering a consistent pace. While primarily interstate, the transition to US-97 and State Route 18 may introduce slight changes in the driving environment. Overall, this road's personality is geared towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. 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 Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 158.9 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.
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 Sunnyslope, WA, road signs point toward Muckleshoot Reservation, Cle Elum and Leavenworth.
Muckleshoot Reservation
9.8 mi in|~14m
Cle Elum
98.1 mi in|~1h 58m
Leavenworth
98.1 mi in|~1h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 158.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 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 Sunnyslope, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Sunnyslope, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
