How far is McKenna, WA from University Place, WA?
The driving distance from McKenna, WA to University Place, WA is about 30.4 miles (49 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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 49m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McKenna and University Place.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKenna and University Place.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn right onto Spanaway McKenna Highway
4.3 mi · 7 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway
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3
Continue on McNaught Road South
1 km · 2 min · McNaught Road South
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4
Turn sharp left onto Water Street
84 m · 14 sec · Water Street
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5
Turn right onto Warren Street North
2802 ft · 2 min · Warren Street North
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6
Continue on Roy Cutoff Road
2 mi · 4 min · Roy Cutoff Road
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7
Turn right onto East Gate Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Gate Road
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8
Turn left onto Spanaway McKenna Highway
4 mi · 6 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Pacific Avenue South
1.6 km · 2 min · Pacific Avenue South
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10
Turn left onto Cross Base Highway
2139 ft · 48 sec · Cross Base Highway
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11
Continue on Cross Base Highway
1243 ft · 28 sec · Cross Base Highway
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12
Turn straight onto Spanaway Loop Road South
3.9 mi · 8 min · Spanaway Loop Road South
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13
Continue on 116th Street South
1810 ft · 46 sec · 116th Street South
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14
Continue on Steele Street South
3240 ft · 1 min · Steele Street South
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15
Take the ramp right toward WA 512 West: Olympia, Tacoma
1253 ft · 32 sec
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16
Merge slight left
1229 ft · 23 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
1.2 km · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left
3.3 mi · 4 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
1248 ft · 21 sec
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20
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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21
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
1655 ft · 28 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
2 mi · 3 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Fircrest, Center Street
1958 ft · 41 sec
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24
Keep slight left
156 m · 26 sec
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25
Turn right onto Center Street
897 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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26
Continue on Regents Boulevard
1.3 mi · 4 min · Regents Boulevard
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27
Continue on 27th Street West
1 mi · 2 min · 27th Street West
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28
Turn right onto Grandview Drive West
44 m · 5 sec · Grandview Drive West
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grandview Drive West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McKenna and University Place.
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 McKenna Highway
Turn right onto Spanaway McKenna Highway
4.32 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving McKenna and Mostly Sunny near University Place.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McKenna to University Place?
The road trip is about 30.4 miles (49 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Spanaway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.1 miles from McKenna and 15.3 miles from University Place.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:52 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.65 one way or $11.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around McKenna and Mostly Sunny near University Place.
Stop Ideas Near Spanaway
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 Spanaway.
Tacoma Dome Station
Centennial Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McKenna and University Place. Straight-line distance: 20.78 mi (33.45 km).
#1 McKenna
McKenna is a place in Washington, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 46.9348200, -122.5565100 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
#2 University Place
City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
| Population | 34,090 |
| Coordinates | 47.2356500, -122.5504000 |
| Altitude | 63 |
| Country | United States |
End: Grandview Drive West (-122.550378, 47.23565)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $5.65 | $11.30 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.01 | $12.02 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $6.23 | $12.47 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $5.90 | $11.81 |
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.