How far is Fairwood, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Fairwood, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19.1 miles (30.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m 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
26.68 mi
00h 38m
Flight
19.05 mi
30.66 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairwood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.05 mi
Kilometers
30.66 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
26.68 mi
Kilometers
42.94 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Thu, Oct 15, 4:07 PM PDT
Return by in Fairwood
Thu, Oct 15, 4:46 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairwood
2026-10-15T15:28
Arrive Tacoma
Thu, Oct 15, 4:07 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:39 AM to 7:39 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:12 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Fairwood
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
Auburn
WA

The second most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.

From Fairwood
13.3 mi
00h 19m
To Tacoma
13.4 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph E
Destination
70°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 8:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast 172nd Street

    592 ft · 26 sec · Southeast 172nd Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 139th Place Southeast

    96 m · 17 sec · 139th Place Southeast

  3. 3

    Turn sharp right onto Southeast 171st Place

    67 m · 10 sec · Southeast 171st Place

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 140th Avenue Southeast

    1340 ft · 39 sec · 140th Avenue Southeast

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Southeast Petrovitsky Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Southeast Petrovitsky Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Southeast 176th Street

    2635 ft · 1 min · Southeast 176th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Southeast Carr Road

    771 ft · 21 sec · Southeast Carr Road

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Southeast Carr Road

    755 ft · 18 sec · Southeast Carr Road

  9. 9

    Continue on South Carr Road

    2934 ft · 1 min · South Carr Road

  10. 10

    Continue on South 43rd Street

    1594 ft · 41 sec · South 43rd Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Valley Road

    1073 ft · 28 sec · East Valley Road

  12. 12

    Take the ramp right toward WA 167 South

    2106 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

    9.3 mi · 12 min · Valley Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Federal Way

    1.6 km · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    1.5 mi · 2 min · State Route 18

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma

    2980 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma

    3094 ft · 1 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma

    1297 ft · 32 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    7.2 mi · 9 min

  20. 20

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

    785 ft · 19 sec

  21. 21

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

    102 m · 8 sec

  22. 22

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

    2087 ft · 51 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight right

    1554 ft · 22 sec

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center

    1550 ft · 38 sec

  25. 25

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

    1048 ft · 31 sec

  26. 26

    Continue on South 15th Street

    1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South

    1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South

  28. 28

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fairwood 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
29 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
108.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Valley Freeway
9.35 mi · 35%
I 5 South
8.04 mi · 30%
Southeast Petrovitsky Road
1.55 mi · 6%
State Route 18
1.53 mi · 6%
WA 18 West
0.98 mi · 4%
I 705 North
0.75 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Valley Freeway

Merge slight left onto Valley Freeway

9.35 mi · 00h 12m

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 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
19.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Auburn
00h 19m from Fairwood
Leave By
7:12 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fairwood 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 Fairwood to Tacoma?

The road trip is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?

Auburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.3 miles from Fairwood and 13.4 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 19.1 miles (30.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 7:12 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.11 one way or $10.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairwood and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.

Stop Ideas Near Auburn

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 Auburn and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 9.9 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 12.4 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 0.9 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 10.2 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 Auburn.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

16 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

17 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

33 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

35 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairwood and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 19.05 mi (30.66 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Fairwood

Situated in King County at an elevation of approximately 531 feet, this suburban community lies southeast of Renton within the greater Seattle metropolitan area.

Population0
Coordinates47.4484300, -122.1573400
Altitude162
CountryUnited States
Tacoma

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast 172nd Street (-122.157256, 47.448218)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 43 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.94 gal
3.56 L · about $5.11
Round trip
$10.22
1.88 gal · 7.12 L
Estimated CO2
8.4 kg one way
Round trip: 16.7 kg / 37 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.44 $5.11 $10.22
Mid-grade $5.72 $5.38 $10.75
Premium $5.98 $5.62 $11.24
Diesel $7.29 $6.85 $13.71

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairwood and Tacoma. The current time is 15:28:23.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.