How far is Elk Plain, WA from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance from Elk Plain, WA to Seattle, WA is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 00h 59m.
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.
A city in King County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk Plain and Seattle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Plain and Seattle.
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1
Start on 224th Street East
11 m · 4 sec · 224th Street East
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2
Turn right onto Mountain Highway East
2.7 mi · 4 min · Mountain Highway East
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3
Continue on Pacific Avenue South
1.6 km · 2 min · Pacific Avenue South
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4
Turn left onto Cross Base Highway
2139 ft · 48 sec · Cross Base Highway
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5
Continue on Cross Base Highway
1243 ft · 28 sec · Cross Base Highway
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6
Turn straight onto Spanaway Loop Road South
3.9 mi · 8 min · Spanaway Loop Road South
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7
Continue on 116th Street South
1810 ft · 46 sec · 116th Street South
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8
Continue on Steele Street South
3240 ft · 1 min · Steele Street South
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9
Take the ramp right toward WA 512 West: Olympia, Tacoma
1253 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left
1229 ft · 23 sec
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
1.2 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left
5.4 mi · 7 min
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13
Keep slight right
31.9 mi · 40 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Seneca Street
1359 ft · 36 sec
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15
Turn left onto Seneca Street
98 m · 18 sec · Seneca Street
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16
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
615 ft · 27 sec · 5th Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Madison Street
34 m · 9 sec · Madison Street
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18
Turn left
9 m · 2 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk Plain and Seattle.
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 5 North
Keep slight right
31.9 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Elk Plain and Mostly Sunny near Seattle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk Plain to Seattle?
The road trip is about 45.3 miles (72.9 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Federal Way is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.1 miles from Elk Plain and 21.2 miles from Seattle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 4:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.37 one way or $16.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elk Plain and Mostly Sunny near Seattle.
Stop Ideas Near Federal Way
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Normandy Park City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Federal Way.
Tacoma Dome Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk Plain and Seattle. Straight-line distance: 38.33 mi (61.69 km).
#1 Elk Plain
Census designated place
| Population | 14,205 |
| Coordinates | 47.0531600, -122.3976200 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Seattle
The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.
| Population | 769,714 |
| Coordinates | 47.6062100, -122.3320700 |
| Altitude | 56 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-122.332143, 47.606309)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $8.37 | $16.75 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $8.91 | $17.81 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $9.23 | $18.47 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $8.75 | $17.49 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.