How far is Medical Lake, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Medical Lake, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.7 miles (360 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Light Rain
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Medical Lake and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medical Lake and Tacoma.
-
1
Start on East Lake Street
38 m · 10 sec · East Lake Street
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2
Turn left onto South Lefevre Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Lefevre Street
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3
Continue on State Route 902
1.3 km · 2 min · State Route 902
-
4
Continue on South Salnave Road
4.1 mi · 7 min · South Salnave Road
-
5
Take the ramp right toward Seattle
1156 ft · 28 sec
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6
Merge slight left
42.4 mi · 45 min
-
7
Keep slight left
195.4 mi · 3 hr 32 min
-
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
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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
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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
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19
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
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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
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22
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
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23
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
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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 Medical Lake and Tacoma.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Seattle
Keep slight left
195 mi · 03h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Light Rain leaving Medical Lake 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 Medical Lake to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 281.8 miles (453.5 km) and usually takes 04h 33m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kittitas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.7 miles from Medical Lake and 141.1 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.7 miles (360 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.02 one way or $104.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Rain around Medical Lake and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Kittitas
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 Kittitas.
Columbia Station
Quincy, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Medical Lake and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 223.72 mi (360.04 km).
#1 Medical Lake
City in Spokane County, Washington, United States
| Population | 4,944 |
| Coordinates | 47.5729400, -117.6821600 |
| Altitude | 739 |
| 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: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $52.02 | $104.03 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $55.34 | $110.67 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $57.36 | $114.73 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $54.34 | $108.68 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.