How far is Rock Island, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Rock Island, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 171.9 miles (276.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 108.1 miles (174 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 03h 06m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rock Island and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rock Island and Tacoma.
-
1
Start on Saunders Avenue
22 m · 4 sec · Saunders Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Garden Avenue
590 ft · 27 sec · North Garden Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Rock Island Drive
1899 ft · 1 min · Rock Island Drive
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4
Turn right
7.9 mi · 11 min
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5
Turn straight
1101 ft · 24 sec
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Sunset Highway
32 m · 1 sec · Sunset Highway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Sunset Highway
4 mi · 8 min · Sunset Highway
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8
Turn left onto US 2/97
1.2 km · 1 min · US 2/97
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9
Continue on Odabashian Bridge
1.1 mi · 2 min · Odabashian Bridge
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US2, US97
42 m · 6 sec · US 2
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11
Exit the rotary onto US 2
2365 ft · 45 sec · US 2
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 2
43 m · 3 sec · US 2
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13
Keep slight right to continue on US 2
13.7 mi · 17 min · US 2
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
1401 ft · 46 sec · US 2
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15
Turn left onto US 97
35.3 mi · 44 min · US 97
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16
Continue straight
9.8 mi · 13 min
-
17
Turn left
827 ft · 18 sec
-
18
Turn left onto Sunset Highway
804 ft · 11 sec · Sunset Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West
1648 ft · 35 sec
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20
Merge slight left
60 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Auburn
1248 ft · 30 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
137 m · 13 sec
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23
Merge slight right onto Snoqualmie Parkway
1780 ft · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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24
Continue on State Route 18
26.7 mi · 34 min · State Route 18
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25
Take the exit slight right toward I 5: Seattle, Tacoma
2980 ft · 1 min
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South, WA 161: Enchanted Parkway South, Tacoma
3094 ft · 1 min
-
27
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1297 ft · 32 sec
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28
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 9 min
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
785 ft · 19 sec
-
30
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
102 m · 8 sec
-
31
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
2087 ft · 51 sec
-
32
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
-
33
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
1550 ft · 38 sec
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34
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
1048 ft · 31 sec
-
35
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
-
36
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
-
37
Turn right onto South 11th Street
13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rock Island and Tacoma.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 90 West
Merge slight left
60 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rock Island 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 Rock Island to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 171.9 miles (276.6 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Roslyn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.1 miles from Rock Island and 85.7 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 108.1 miles (174 km), while the road route adds roughly 63.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.76 one way or $63.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rock Island and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Roslyn
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 Roslyn.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Columbia Station
Stevens Pass, Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rock Island and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 108.09 mi (173.96 km).
#1 Rock Island
City in Douglas County, Washington
| Population | 1,310 |
| Coordinates | 47.3770700, -120.1439500 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $31.76 | $63.53 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $33.79 | $67.58 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $35.03 | $70.06 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $33.18 | $66.37 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.