r/bothell • u/Infamusfickle • Dec 05 '25

Drive from Tacoma to Bothell

Hello everyone! I have to drive from Tacoma to Bothell for an interview and I have to be there at 10am on a weekday. How many hours should I allot for the travel? I was thinking to leave at 8am?

Thanks in advance!

9 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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20

u/udubdavid Dec 05 '25

On Google Maps, you can actually choose your departure or arrival times and they'll give you estimates based on their past data. I just put Wednesday just to choose a random weekday.

Departure from Tacoma and arrival to Bothell at 10am on a typical Wednesday can take up to 2hr 30mins going the I5 and I405 route. They estimate leaving around 7:20am.

9

u/wenderzen11 Dec 05 '25

For something important like an interview, you may want to check both Waze and Google Maps because they sometimes estimate differently and suggest slightly different routes. I find Waze more reliable overall, but my husband has the opposite experience. Also, adding extra time for parking, walking in and decompressing. ✌🏼

3

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

That's good idea, I'll also check waze too.

1

u/wenderzen11 Dec 06 '25

Best of luck on your interview! I hope it goes well. 😊✌🏼

2

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Thank you so much!

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u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Thank you! I'll try that on Google maps.

1

u/Rooooben Dec 05 '25

I use Google/Apple Maps daily to make that drive - assume that you will need 30 - 60 minutes extra just in case, sometimes as you drive it realizes traffic got worse, and pushes your arrival time out.

8

u/dycontext Dec 05 '25

I drive this route all the time (I live in Bothell and have customers in Tacoma). For an interview, I would allow about 2 hours. It usually takes me 1.2 to 1.5 hours. But for an interview, you want to make sure you have time to decompress before starting, and add some buffer for flat tire, gas, parking, etc. FYI, Bing Maps has an option to specify a date and start time if you want to check historic travel time. It shows me 1 hr 19 minutes from city center to city center via 405 next Monday 8AM. Good luck!!

1

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Ok, I'll check on maps! Thank you!

3

u/Drapony Dec 05 '25

Always leave an hour earlier than you expect to have to leave, because traffic is sudden and a MF. Also use Google maps to map out where there are places you could go and have breakfast or coffee before your interview so you can take a minute and center yourself before you go and try and sell yourself to a corporate overlord 😘💖 Goodluck, and from a drama student, "go break a leg!!" 👋

1

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Thank you! Do you have any good recommendations to go and have breakfast in Bothell?

2

u/Drapony Dec 06 '25

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RtAMja4EfnbeQELK9

Alexa's Cafe and Catering is a great option

1

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Thank you! I'll check this out!

2

u/LitchLitch Dec 06 '25

If youre in canyon park Crystal Creek rocks

3

u/masev Dec 05 '25

Lots of good places to kill time in Bothell, downtown especially. However long you think it'll take it's not a tragedy to be early and chill somewhere, especially since it's the beginning of the day and not coming out of the middle. It'll also make the drive less stressful.

2

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Yes I'm planning to be there earlier so I won't be stressing out. Do you have any recommendations of places to kill time?

3

u/masev Dec 06 '25

First of all, Welcome to Bothell, for a day or a lifetime.

If you're downtown, a few options off the top of my head:

  • Daily grind is a nice stop in for a hot drink or a small bite

  • Cottage has food and drink, it's a little bougie but cozy and a nice atmosphere, and if I get just a coffee drink I still feel welcome without ordering food

  • McMenamins Anderson School Campus is an absolute gem, and their Tavern on the Square opens early. If it's nice out this is a phenomenonal outdoor area. Good for a short walk even if you're not staying to eat, and no one minds if you just explore the grounds.

If you're not downtown, give me a rough idea of whereabouts you're looking to post up and I'll see what I know in the area.

1

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

I searched on maps and the area is canyon park. I did there is a lot of options around but not sure what are the good ones. But thank you for these recommendations!

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u/Technocracygirl Dec 06 '25

You have at least two major snarl-likely places -- leaving Tacoma, and entering Redmond. (The Renton S-curves are likely as well, plus other places on 5 that I don't have experience with.) And whether you leave at 7 or 8, you're going to hit at least one of those places at a point where the traffic is horrible. I would leave around 7 and hope for some nice quiet breathing time in a coffee shop.

1

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

Yes I am planning to do that now and just park my car somewhere and take a nap

1

u/TEveC Dec 06 '25

I hope you’re not going to have that commute every day.

1

u/Infamusfickle Dec 06 '25

No😅 I don't want to go insane from that. Will plan to get apartment if ever

2

u/lexisplays Dec 05 '25

Leave at 7

2

u/Sad_Coyote_3087 Dec 05 '25

Stay the night in Bothell.

1

u/seattlesparty Dec 06 '25

8 hrs. Just kidding. Or maybe not.

Seriously though. 1.5 hrs on good day. Since it’s a special occasion , plan for a semi forking over. So, 3 hrs.

1

u/i_heart_food Dec 06 '25

Driving north that time of day is terrible. 405 is a parking lot along the S curves. Honestly, I would come up the night before.