How far is Coulee Dam, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Coulee Dam, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 30m 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 04h 15m.
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 Kittitas 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 Coulee Dam and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coulee Dam and Tacoma.
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1
Start on Marina Way
28 m · 5 sec · Marina Way
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2
Continue on Roosevelt Way
755 ft · 21 sec · Roosevelt Way
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3
Continue on State Highway 155
1290 ft · 28 sec · State Highway 155
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4
Turn left onto Columbia Avenue
1169 ft · 33 sec · Columbia Avenue
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5
Continue on State Route 155
916 ft · 26 sec · State Route 155
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6
Continue on Coulee Corridor
1.7 mi · 4 min · Coulee Corridor
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7
Continue on Midway Avenue
2452 ft · 1 min · Midway Avenue
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8
Continue on Midway Avenue
78 m · 7 sec · Midway Avenue
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9
Continue on Grand Coulee Avenue
2795 ft · 57 sec · Grand Coulee Avenue
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10
Continue on Coulee Boulevard
25.1 mi · 33 min · Coulee Boulevard
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11
Continue on Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
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12
Turn left onto Coulee Corridor
21.3 mi · 29 min · Coulee Corridor
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13
Turn right
3.7 mi · 5 min
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14
Turn left onto Alder Street Northwest
1.6 mi · 3 min · Alder Street Northwest
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15
Continue on Alder Street Southwest
2032 ft · 57 sec · Alder Street Southwest
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16
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southwest
120 m · 16 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest
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17
Turn left onto Basin Street Southwest
19.9 mi · 27 min · Basin Street Southwest
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18
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 West: Seattle
1838 ft · 45 sec
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19
Merge slight left
125.7 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Auburn
1248 ft · 30 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
137 m · 13 sec
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22
Merge slight right onto Snoqualmie Parkway
1780 ft · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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23
Continue on State Route 18
26.7 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
2980 ft · 1 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
3094 ft · 1 min
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1297 ft · 32 sec
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27
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
785 ft · 19 sec
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29
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
102 m · 8 sec
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30
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
2087 ft · 51 sec
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31
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
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32
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
1550 ft · 38 sec
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33
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
1048 ft · 31 sec
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34
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
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35
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
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36
Turn right onto South 11th Street
13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Coulee Dam 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 90 West
Merge slight left
126 mi · 02h 17m
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 Coulee Dam and Partly Sunny near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Coulee Dam to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km) and usually takes 04h 15m 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?
Ellensburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.8 miles from Coulee Dam and 122 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 74.9 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 8:30 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.00 one way or $90.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Coulee Dam and Partly Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Ellensburg
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 Ellensburg.
Columbia Station
Quincy, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Coulee Dam and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 168.87 mi (271.77 km).
#1 Coulee Dam
Town in Washington, USA
| Population | 1,083 |
| Coordinates | 47.9654300, -118.9761300 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| 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: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $45.00 | $90.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $47.88 | $95.75 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $49.63 | $99.26 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $47.02 | $94.03 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.