Tacoma, WA to Three Lakes, WA is 64.9 miles and takes about 1h 35m via I 405, I 5, and State Route 9, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Pacific Coast region, making it a straightforward journey. It's a drive that focuses heavily on highway travel, so if you're looking for a quick and efficient connection between these two points in Washington, this route fits the bill. Expect a largely uninterrupted experience as you make your way north.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.4 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 405
22.3 mi
27m
I 5
20.1 mi
25m
State Route 9
9.5 mi
15m
Three Lakes Road
3 mi
7m
WA 522
2.4 mi
2m
Maple Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
2nd Street
0.9 mi
2m
I 705
0.8 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 Three Lakes, 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
20 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse 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 23Toward WA 522: Bothell, WoodinvilleUse 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, ArlingtonUse 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
3.8 mi·5 min·State Route 9
20
Turn slight right
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward Snohomish
21
Turn right onto 2nd Street
0.9 mi·2 min·2nd Street
22
Turn left onto Maple Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·Maple Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on Machias Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·Machias Road
24
Turn right onto Three Lakes Road
3.0 mi·7 min·Three Lakes Road
25
Turn left onto 163rd Avenue Southeast
0.7 mi·2 min·163rd Avenue Southeast
26
Arrive at destination
163rd Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes, this is a perfect same-day trip, allowing for flexibility. You can depart anytime and still comfortably reach Three Lakes before dark. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, keeping your tank full is always a good idea, though you won't be covering extreme distances. Since the drive is primarily highway, be mindful of traffic, especially if departing during peak commute hours around Tacoma. The longest stretch on I 405 is a good indicator of where you'll experience continuous driving.
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 32.4 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 42m 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 32.4 miles or 42m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Lakes, 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 64.9 miles and 1h 35m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
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
$13.58 one way
$27.17 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$14.24
$28.49
premium
$5.77
$14.74
$29.48
diesel
$5.61
$14.33
$28.66
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: 22.7 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
19.5
0
$6.81
$3.12
Efficient EV
16.2
0
$5.68
$2.60
EV Truck/SUV
26
0
$9.09
$4.15
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
Afternoon
in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Three Lakes, WA
Afternoon
in Three Lakes on Sunday
Local time
1:22 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
12 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
1h 35m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 35.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the 64.9 miles on major routes. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 22.3 miles on I 405. The route begins with significant time on interstates like I 405 and I 5, offering a fast-paced experience. As you transition to State Route 9, the character may shift, but the overall impression is one of efficient, high-speed travel for most of the 1 hour and 35-minute duration.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 Three Lakes, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue, Woodinville, Arlington and Snohomish.
Bellevue
22.2 mi in|~29m
Woodinville
44.9 mi in|~58m
Arlington
48.6 mi in|~1h 3m
Snohomish
58.4 mi in|~1h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 64.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 Three Lakes, 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 Three Lakes, WA before heading back.
