How far is Ellensburg, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Ellensburg, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 120.7 miles (194.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 90.9 miles (146.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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 02h 05m.
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.
Census-designated place in King County, Washington (state), USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ellensburg and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellensburg and Tacoma.
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1
Start on West 5th Avenue
66 m · 12 sec · West 5th Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
1142 ft · 43 sec · North Main Street
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3
Turn left onto West University Way
2.1 mi · 5 min · West University Way
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
33 m · 6 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
528 ft · 15 sec
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West
2230 ft · 54 sec
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7
Merge slight left
80.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Auburn
1248 ft · 30 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
137 m · 13 sec
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10
Merge slight right onto Snoqualmie Parkway
1780 ft · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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11
Continue on State Route 18
26.7 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
2980 ft · 1 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
3094 ft · 1 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1297 ft · 32 sec
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15
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
785 ft · 19 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
102 m · 8 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
2087 ft · 51 sec
-
19
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
-
20
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
1550 ft · 38 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
1048 ft · 31 sec
-
22
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
-
23
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
-
24
Turn right onto South 11th Street
13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ellensburg 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
80.1 mi · 01h 28m
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 Cloudy leaving Ellensburg and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ellensburg to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 120.7 miles (194.2 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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?
Riverbend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.4 miles from Ellensburg and 60.3 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 90.9 miles (146.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.29 one way or $44.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ellensburg and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Riverbend
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 Riverbend.
Tukwila station
Skykomish (Eastbound), WA
Skykomish, Washington
Monroe (Eastbound), WA
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ellensburg and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 90.89 mi (146.28 km).
#1 Ellensburg
City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States
| Population | 21,576 |
| Coordinates | 46.9965100, -120.5478500 |
| Altitude | 470 |
| 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: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $22.29 | $44.59 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $23.72 | $47.43 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $24.58 | $49.17 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $23.29 | $46.58 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.