How far is Elk Plain, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Elk Plain, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 14 miles (22.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Broward County, Florida, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Elk Plain and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Plain and Tacoma.
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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
3.3 mi · 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
1248 ft · 21 sec
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14
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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15
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
1655 ft · 28 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
2562 ft · 44 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Sprague Avenue
2552 ft · 1 min
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18
Continue on Sprague Ramp
1467 ft · 44 sec · Sprague Ramp
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19
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
2964 ft · 2 min · South Sprague Avenue
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20
Turn right onto South 11th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South 11th Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk Plain and Tacoma.
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.
Spanaway Loop Road South
Turn straight onto Spanaway Loop Road South
3.9 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Elk Plain and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk Plain to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km) and usually takes 00h 29m 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?
Parkland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.6 miles from Elk Plain and 9.3 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 14 miles (22.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.8 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 7:32 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.30 one way or $6.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Elk Plain and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Parkland
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
City of Puyallup
Tacoma City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Parkland.
Tacoma Dome Station
Centennial Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk Plain and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 13.97 mi (22.49 km).
#1 Elk Plain
Census designated place
| Population | 14,205 |
| Coordinates | 47.0531600, -122.3976200 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| 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: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $3.30 | $6.59 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $3.51 | $7.01 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $3.64 | $7.27 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $3.44 | $6.89 |
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.