How far is Covington, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Covington, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 21.2 miles (34.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.8 miles (27 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m 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
21.2 mi
00h 26m
Flight
16.75 mi
26.96 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Covington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.75 mi
Kilometers
26.96 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.2 mi
Kilometers
34.12 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Mon, May 4, 10:47 AM PDT
Return by in Covington
Mon, May 4, 11:13 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Covington
2026-05-04T10:21
Arrive Tacoma
Mon, May 4, 10:47 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:38 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Covington
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
Algona
WA

City in King County, Washington, United States

From Covington
10.6 mi
00h 13m
To Tacoma
10.6 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph WSW
Destination
82°F
Monday

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Covington and Tacoma.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Covington and Tacoma.

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast 272nd Street

    64 m · 11 sec · Southeast 272nd Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Southeast 272nd Street

    82 m · 18 sec · Southeast 272nd Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward WA 18 West: Auburn

    2012 ft · 49 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    10.2 mi · 13 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

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome

    785 ft · 19 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station

    102 m · 8 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center

    2087 ft · 51 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right

    1554 ft · 22 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center

    1550 ft · 38 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue

    1048 ft · 31 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on South 15th Street

    1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South

    1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Covington and Tacoma.

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
18 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
84.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Route 18
10.2 mi · 48%
I 5 South
8.04 mi · 38%
I 705 North
0.75 mi · 4%
I 5
0.56 mi · 3%
WA 18 West
0.38 mi · 2%
A Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Route 18

Merge slight left onto State Route 18

10.2 mi · 00h 13m

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 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.4 mi
16.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Algona
00h 13m from Covington
Leave By
7:38 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Covington and Sunny near Tacoma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Covington to Tacoma?

The road trip is about 21.2 miles (34.1 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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?

Algona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.6 miles from Covington and 10.6 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 16.8 miles (27 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:38 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.92 one way or $7.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Covington and Sunny near Tacoma.

Stop Ideas Near Algona

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 Algona and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 7.4 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
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 13.6 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 3 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 10.7 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 Algona.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

13 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

20 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

36 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

38 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Covington and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 16.75 mi (26.96 km).

Covington

#1 Covington

City in Washington, United States

Population21,581
Coordinates47.3581800, -122.1221600
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Tacoma

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast 272nd Street (-122.122157, 47.358148)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.75 gal
2.83 L · about $3.92
Round trip
$7.85
1.5 gal · 5.66 L
Estimated CO2
6.7 kg one way
Round trip: 13.3 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $3.92 $7.85
Mid-grade $5.57 $4.18 $8.35
Premium $5.77 $4.33 $8.66
Diesel $5.47 $4.10 $8.20

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 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Covington and Tacoma. The current time is 10:21:17.

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.