How far is Port Townsend, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Port Townsend, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.5 miles (99 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
81.29 mi
01h 38m
Flight
61.49 mi
98.96 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Port Townsend.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
61.49 mi
Kilometers
98.96 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.29 mi
Kilometers
130.82 km
Drive Time
01h 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 01h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Sun, May 17, 7:30 AM PDT
Return by in Port Townsend
Sun, May 17, 9:08 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Port Townsend
2026-05-17T05:51
Arrive Tacoma
Sun, May 17, 7:30 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:14 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Port Townsend
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Silverdale
WA

Census designated place in Kitsap County, Washington, USA

From Port Townsend
39.9 mi
00h 49m
To Tacoma
41.4 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph W
Destination
40°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 17 4:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Townsend and Tacoma.

  1. 1

    Start on Tyler Street

    44 m · 12 sec · Tyler Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Lawrence Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Lawrence Street

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Kearney Street

    975 ft · 27 sec · Kearney Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Sims Way

    4 m · 1 sec · East Sims Way

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto East Sims Way

    1.5 mi · 4 min · East Sims Way

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Sims Way

    35 m · 2 sec · West Sims Way

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto West Sims Way

    1425 ft · 40 sec · West Sims Way

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Sims Way

    31 m · 2 sec · West Sims Way

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto West Sims Way

    2199 ft · 48 sec · West Sims Way

  10. 10

    Continue on State Route 20

    2.1 mi · 4 min · State Route 20

  11. 11

    Continue on Airport Cutoff Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Airport Cutoff Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Rhody Drive

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Rhody Drive

  13. 13

    Continue on Beaver Valley Road

    9.1 mi · 14 min · Beaver Valley Road

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 104

    64 m · 3 sec · State Route 104

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto State Route 104

    4.9 mi · 6 min · State Route 104

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 104

    36 m · 2 sec · State Route 104

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto State Route 104

    791 ft · 17 sec · State Route 104

  18. 18

    Continue on Hood Canal Floating Bridge

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Hood Canal Floating Bridge

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right

    617 ft · 13 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 3 Northeast

    23.2 mi · 31 min · State Highway 3 Northeast

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 3 West

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West

  22. 22

    Continue on West State Route 16

    915 ft · 20 sec · West State Route 16

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 16

    26.1 mi · 33 min · State Highway 16

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward Sprague Avenue

    1173 ft · 36 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left

    1982 ft · 54 sec

  26. 26

    Continue on Sprague Ramp

    1467 ft · 44 sec · Sprague Ramp

  27. 27

    Continue on South Sprague Avenue

    2964 ft · 2 min · South Sprague Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · 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 Port Townsend and Tacoma.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
1 merges, 13 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 16
26.1 mi · 32%
State Highway 3 Northeast
23.2 mi · 29%
Beaver Valley Road
9.06 mi · 11%
State Route 104
5.1 mi · 6%
Rhody Drive
2.8 mi · 3%
Airport Cutoff Road
2.2 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 16

Continue on State Highway 16

26.1 mi · 00h 33m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.8 mi
61.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Silverdale
00h 49m from Port Townsend
Leave By
3:14 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Port Townsend and Partly Cloudy near Tacoma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Port Townsend to Tacoma?

The road trip is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?

Silverdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.9 miles from Port Townsend and 41.4 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 61.5 miles (99 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.8 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 3:14 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.02 one way or $30.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Port Townsend and Partly Cloudy near Tacoma.

Stop Ideas Near Silverdale

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Silverdale, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Silverdale.

OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

26 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

King Street Station

28 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
RAIL

Edmonds station

30 mi away
211 Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Tukwila station

40 mi away
7301 South 158th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Port Townsend and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 61.49 mi (98.96 km).

Port Townsend

#1 Port Townsend

City in and county seat of Jefferson County, Washington

Population9,973
Coordinates48.1170400, -122.7604500
Altitude40
CountryUnited States
Tacoma

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: Tyler Street (-122.760391, 48.117064)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 131 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.87 gal
10.86 L · about $15.02
Round trip
$30.04
5.74 gal · 21.72 L
Estimated CO2
25.5 kg one way
Round trip: 51 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $15.02 $30.04
Mid-grade $5.57 $15.98 $31.95
Premium $5.77 $16.56 $33.13
Diesel $5.47 $15.69 $31.38

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 · May 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Port Townsend and Tacoma. The current time is 05:51:46.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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