How far is Carnation, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Carnation, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 51.4 miles (82.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in King County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carnation and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carnation and Tacoma.
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1
Start on Entwistle Street
22 m · 7 sec · Entwistle Street
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2
Turn left onto Tolt Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Tolt Avenue
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3
Continue on Fall City-Carnation Road Northeast
2 mi · 3 min · Fall City-Carnation Road Northeast
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4
Continue on Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast
3.2 mi · 5 min · Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road
5 m · 1 sec · Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road
598 ft · 34 sec · Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road
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7
Turn left onto Preston Fall City Road Southeast
4 mi · 8 min · Preston Fall City Road Southeast
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8
Continue on Southeast High Point Way
2484 ft · 1 min · Southeast High Point Way
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9
Turn left onto Preston-Fall City Road
890 ft · 26 sec · Preston-Fall City Road
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10
Take the ramp left toward I 90 East: Spokane
1826 ft · 45 sec
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11
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward SR 18 West, Snoqualmie Parkway: Snoqualmie, Aubern
927 ft · 23 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto SR 18: Auburn, Tacoma
716 ft · 20 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Snoqualmie Parkway
860 ft · 11 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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15
Continue on State Route 18
26.7 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
2980 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
3094 ft · 1 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1297 ft · 32 sec
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19
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
785 ft · 19 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
102 m · 8 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
2087 ft · 51 sec
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23
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
-
24
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
1550 ft · 38 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
1048 ft · 31 sec
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26
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
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27
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
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28
Turn right onto South 11th Street
13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carnation and Tacoma.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Route 18
Continue on State Route 18
26.7 mi · 00h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Light Rain leaving Carnation and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carnation to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 51.4 miles (82.7 km) and usually takes 01h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Maple Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.7 miles from Carnation and 25.7 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:24 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.47 one way or $18.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Carnation and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Maple Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Auburn
City Hall Saloon & Eatery
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maple Valley.
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carnation and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 36.86 mi (59.32 km).
#1 Carnation
City
| Population | 2,306 |
| Coordinates | 47.6478800, -121.9140100 |
| Altitude | 24 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $9.47 | $18.94 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $10.08 | $20.15 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $10.45 | $20.89 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $9.90 | $19.79 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.