How far is North Yelm, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from North Yelm, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 33.4 miles (53.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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 46m.
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.
City in the state of Washington
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 North Yelm and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Yelm and Tacoma.
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1
Start on Joyce Court Southeast
105 m · 19 sec · Joyce Court Southeast
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2
Turn right onto Ordway Drive Southeast
1.1 km · 1 min · Ordway Drive Southeast
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3
Continue on Wilkenson Road Southeast
2619 ft · 1 min · Wilkenson Road Southeast
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4
Continue on Canal Road Southeast
1495 ft · 40 sec · Canal Road Southeast
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5
Turn right onto Railway Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Railway Road Southeast
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6
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
1933 ft · 58 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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7
Turn right onto West Yelm Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West Yelm Avenue
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8
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Killion Road Southeast
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9
Turn left onto WA 510 Alternate
1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast
39 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast
4.2 mi · 8 min · Yelm Highway Southeast
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
30 m · 2 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
1106 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Reservation Road Southeast
7 m · 1 sec · Reservation Road Southeast
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast
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17
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest
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18
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
1558 ft · 38 sec
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19
Merge slight left
14.3 mi · 18 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
1248 ft · 21 sec
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21
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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22
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
1655 ft · 28 sec
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23
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
2562 ft · 44 sec
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Sprague Avenue
2552 ft · 1 min
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25
Continue on Sprague Ramp
1467 ft · 44 sec · Sprague Ramp
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26
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
2964 ft · 2 min · South Sprague Avenue
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27
Turn right onto South 11th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South 11th Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Yelm 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.
I 5 North
Merge slight left
14.3 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving North Yelm 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 North Yelm to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 33.4 miles (53.7 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
DuPont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.9 miles from North Yelm and 16.5 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 4:56 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.17 one way or $12.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around North Yelm and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near DuPont
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 DuPont.
Centennial Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Centralia station
Tukwila station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Yelm and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 21.36 mi (34.38 km).
#1 North Yelm
Census designated place
| Population | 2,906 |
| Coordinates | 46.9631500, -122.6029000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| 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: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $6.17 | $12.35 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.57 | $13.14 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $6.81 | $13.62 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $6.45 | $12.90 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.