How far is Carson, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Carson, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 180.3 miles (290.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.7 miles (176.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Cowlitz County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carson and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carson and Tacoma.
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1
Start on 1st Street
60 m · 16 sec · 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto Hot Springs Avenue
82 m · 15 sec · Hot Springs Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Wind River Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Wind River Road
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
13 m · 2 sec · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
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6
Continue on 2nd Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 2nd Street
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7
Continue on Evergreen Highway
22.3 mi · 31 min · Evergreen Highway
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8
Continue on Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lewis and Clark Highway
45 m · 2 sec · Lewis and Clark Highway
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Lewis and Clark Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Lewis and Clark Highway
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lewis and Clark Highway
27 m · 1 sec · Lewis and Clark Highway
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Lewis and Clark Highway
4 mi · 5 min · Lewis and Clark Highway
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13
Continue on Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 205: Salem, Seattle
1000 ft · 24 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 205 North: Seattle
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight right
9.9 mi · 12 min
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17
Merge slight left
123.4 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
1248 ft · 21 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma Mall
1086 ft · 19 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
1655 ft · 28 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
2562 ft · 44 sec
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Sprague Avenue
2552 ft · 1 min
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23
Continue on Sprague Ramp
1467 ft · 44 sec · Sprague Ramp
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24
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
2964 ft · 2 min · South Sprague Avenue
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25
Turn right onto South 11th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South 11th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carson 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.
I 205 North
Merge slight left
123 mi · 02h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Carson and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carson to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 180.3 miles (290.2 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Castle Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.7 miles from Carson and 90.7 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.7 miles (176.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.57 one way or $69.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carson and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Castle Rock
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Castle Rock.
Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center
Centralia station
Elsie, Oregon
Manning, Oregon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carson and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 109.65 mi (176.46 km).
#1 Carson
Positioned on the north bank of the Columbia River in Skamania County, this unincorporated community lies within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area at an elevation of 469 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 45.7253900, -121.8192400 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.44 | $34.57 | $69.13 |
| Mid-grade | $5.72 | $36.37 | $72.75 |
| Premium | $5.98 | $38.01 | $76.03 |
| Diesel | $7.29 | $46.38 | $92.75 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026