How far is Clarkston, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Clarkston, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 319.5 miles (514.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 261.6 miles (421 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 11m 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 05h 35m.
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 Grant 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 Clarkston and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarkston and Tacoma.
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1
Start on 6th Street
1325 ft · 51 sec · 6th Street
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2
Turn left onto Bridge Street
2.1 mi · 4 min · Bridge Street
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3
Continue on Inland Empire Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Inland Empire Highway
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4
Continue on US Highway 12
25 mi · 31 min · US Highway 12
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5
Continue on Villard
2811 ft · 36 sec · Villard
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6
Continue on Main Street
13.8 mi · 17 min · Main Street
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7
Turn right onto Owens Road
46 m · 9 sec · Owens Road
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8
Turn left
8.5 mi · 11 min
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9
Take the exit slight right
92 m · 8 sec
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10
Turn straight onto State Route 261
29.3 mi · 51 min · State Route 261
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11
At the end of the road, turn right
6.4 mi · 11 min
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12
Turn left onto State Highway 26
2.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 26
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13
Continue on State Route 26
63.1 mi · 1 hr 21 min · State Route 26
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14
Continue on Road 13 Southwest
10.2 mi · 15 min · Road 13 Southwest
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15
Continue on State Route 26 West
6.9 mi · 10 min · State Route 26 West
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16
Continue on I 90 West: Seattle
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
112.3 mi · 2 hr 3 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Auburn
1248 ft · 30 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
137 m · 13 sec
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20
Merge slight right onto Snoqualmie Parkway
1780 ft · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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21
Continue on State Route 18
26.7 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
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22
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
2980 ft · 1 min
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
3094 ft · 1 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1297 ft · 32 sec
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25
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
785 ft · 19 sec
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27
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
102 m · 8 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
2087 ft · 51 sec
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29
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
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30
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
1550 ft · 38 sec
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31
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
1048 ft · 31 sec
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32
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
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33
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
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34
Turn right onto South 11th Street
13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Clarkston and Tacoma.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 90 West
Merge slight left
112 mi · 02h 03m
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 Clarkston and Sunny near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Clarkston to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 319.5 miles (514.2 km) and usually takes 05h 35m 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?
Royal City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.4 miles from Clarkston and 159.1 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 261.6 miles (421 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.9 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 5:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.98 one way or $117.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Clarkston and Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Royal City
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 Royal City.
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Ephrata
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Clarkston and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 261.59 mi (420.99 km).
#1 Clarkston
City in Washington
| Population | 7,500 |
| Coordinates | 46.4162900, -117.0455700 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| 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: 514 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $58.98 | $117.95 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $62.74 | $125.48 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $65.04 | $130.08 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $61.61 | $123.23 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.