Origin
Tacoma, WA
Morning in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
7:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tacoma, WA to Tulalip, 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 38m
Distance
73.8 mi
119 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tulalip, WA
Alok Sharma
Trip Overview
This 73.8-mile drive from Tacoma to Tulalip, WA, is designed as a straightforward, single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes. It's a highway-focused route, with 89% of the journey on major roadways, making it efficient for covering ground. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a quick transit between destinations within the Pacific Coast region. You'll spend most of your time on I-5, so expect a relatively direct path without many detours. This route is best suited for travelers prioritizing speed and simplicity over extensive sightseeing stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.9 miles from Tacoma, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 64.9 mi | 1h 21m |
| Marine Drive Northeast | 6.5 mi | 12m |
| 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 |
| 4th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| I 705 SB Ramp | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma, WA and Tulalip, 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
65 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 199
Toward WA 528 East: Marysville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto WA 528
471 ft
·
11 sec
·
4th Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on Marine Drive Northeast
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Marine Drive Northeast
13
Enter roundabout onto Marine Drive Northeast
140 ft
·
2 sec
·
Marine Drive Northeast
14
Continue on Marine Drive Northeast
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Marine Drive Northeast
15
Arrive at destination
Marine Drive
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of under two hours, this drive offers significant flexibility; you can depart at your convenience. With no specific stops recommended, you can tailor your breaks as needed, though it's always wise to plan for at least one fuel stop, especially if you're starting with less than a full tank. The estimated fuel cost of $15 is budget-friendly. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of potential traffic congestion on I-5, particularly during peak commute hours, as it can significantly impact your 1 hour and 38-minute estimated travel time.
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 36.9 miles from Tacoma, WA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.9 miles or 48m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tulalip, 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 73.8 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Tacoma, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 64.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.9 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 64.9 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 67.2 — 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 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
7
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward WA 528 East: Marysville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 199
Toward WA 528 East: Marysville
7
67.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
WA 528 / 4th Street
Turn left onto WA 528 / 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.45 one way
$30.89 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $16.20 | $32.40 |
| premium | $5.77 | $16.76 | $33.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.29 | $32.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.75 | $3.54 |
| Efficient EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.46 | $2.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.33 | $4.72 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Tulalip, WA
Morning in Tulalip on Sunday
Local time
7:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
58°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
1 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 38m 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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 33.1
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 predominantly highway experience on this 73.8-mile journey, with 89% of your travel time spent on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 64.9 miles along I-5, which means long periods of consistent driving. While the route is primarily highway-focused, it does incorporate sections of Marine Drive Northeast and I-705, offering brief variations in the driving environment. Overall, this drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to cover distance quickly on well-maintained roads.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Marine Drive Northeast. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 73.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.9 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 Tulalip, 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 0.1 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 Tulalip, 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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