How far is Auburn, WA from University Place, WA?

The driving distance from Auburn, WA to University Place, WA is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 15.9 miles (25.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
18.44 mi
00h 30m
Flight
15.88 mi
25.56 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Auburn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
15.88 mi
Kilometers
25.56 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
18.44 mi
Kilometers
29.68 km
Drive Time
00h 30m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in University Place
Thu, Apr 30, 8:15 AM PDT
Return by in Auburn
Thu, Apr 30, 8:45 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Auburn
2026-04-30T07:45
Arrive University Place
Thu, Apr 30, 8:15 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:30 AM to 7:30 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:30 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Auburn
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Fife
WA

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

From Auburn
9.2 mi
00h 15m
To University Place
9.3 mi
00h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph N
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Auburn and University Place.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn and University Place.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1135 ft · 41 sec · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto C Street Southwest

    879 ft · 21 sec · C Street Southwest

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward WA 18 West

    1805 ft · 44 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    2.7 mi · 3 min · State Route 18

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma

    2980 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma

    3094 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma

    1297 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton

    3005 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Union Avenue

    2518 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Fircrest, Center Street

    1958 ft · 41 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    156 m · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Center Street

    897 ft · 24 sec · Center Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Regents Boulevard

    1.3 mi · 4 min · Regents Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on 27th Street West

    1 mi · 2 min · 27th Street West

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Grandview Drive West

    44 m · 5 sec · Grandview Drive West

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grandview Drive West

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Auburn and University Place.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
103.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
9.37 mi · 51%
State Route 18
2.66 mi · 14%
WA 16 West
2.07 mi · 11%
Regents Boulevard
1.34 mi · 7%
27th Street West
1.04 mi · 6%
I 5
0.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

7.23 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 30m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.6 mi
15.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fife
00h 15m from Auburn
Leave By
7:30 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Auburn and Mostly Sunny near University Place.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Auburn to University Place?

The road trip is about 18.5 miles (29.7 km) and usually takes 00h 30m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Fife is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.2 miles from Auburn and 9.3 miles from University Place.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 15.9 miles (25.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.40 one way or $6.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Auburn and Mostly Sunny near University Place.

Stop Ideas Near Fife

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Fife and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 3.6 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
City Hall Park
Scenic stop 14.2 mi away

City Hall Park

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 4.6/5 78 reviews Tourist attraction,Playground,Park
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
City of Normandy Park City Hall
Meeting point 14.2 mi away

City of Normandy Park City Hall

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fife.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

5 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

26 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

40 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

42 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Auburn and University Place. Straight-line distance: 15.88 mi (25.56 km).

Auburn

#1 Auburn

The second most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.

Population81,024
Coordinates47.3073200, -122.2284500
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
University Place

#2 University Place

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Population34,090
Coordinates47.2356500, -122.5504000
Altitude63
CountryUnited States
Start: Auburn (-122.22845, 47.30732)
End: University Place (-122.5504, 47.23565)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 30 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 22m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.65 gal
2.46 L · about $3.40
Round trip
$6.80
1.3 gal · 4.92 L
Estimated CO2
5.8 kg one way
Round trip: 11.6 kg / 26 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $3.40 $6.80
Mid-grade $5.57 $3.62 $7.24
Premium $5.77 $3.75 $7.50
Diesel $5.47 $3.55 $7.11

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Washington · Apr 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Auburn and University Place. The current time is 07:45:39.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.