How far is Seattle, WA from University Place, WA?
The driving distance from Seattle, WA to University Place, WA is about 38.1 miles (61.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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 53m.
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.
A city in King County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Seattle and University Place.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle and University Place.
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1
Start on the route
9 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto Madison Street
62 m · 11 sec · Madison Street
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3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
94 m · 15 sec · 4th Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Spring Street
647 ft · 26 sec · Spring Street
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5
Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Portland
1151 ft · 28 sec
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6
Continue straight
3180 ft · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
45 m · 2 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
589 ft · 8 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Airport Way
93 m · 4 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
30.4 mi · 38 min
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11
Keep slight right
1.3 mi · 2 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
3005 ft · 1 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Union Avenue
2518 ft · 46 sec
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14
Merge slight left
1 mi · 1 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Fircrest, Center Street
1958 ft · 41 sec
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16
Keep slight left
156 m · 26 sec
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17
Turn right onto Center Street
897 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
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18
Continue on Regents Boulevard
1.3 mi · 4 min · Regents Boulevard
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19
Continue on 27th Street West
1 mi · 2 min · 27th Street West
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20
Turn right onto Grandview Drive West
44 m · 5 sec · Grandview Drive West
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Grandview Drive West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Seattle and University Place.
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 5 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
30.4 mi · 00h 38m
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.
Sunny leaving Seattle and Sunny near University Place.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Seattle to University Place?
The road trip is about 38.1 miles (61.3 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?
Federal Way is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Seattle and 19.1 miles from University Place.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.5 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 4:42 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.01 one way or $14.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Seattle and Sunny near University Place.
Stop Ideas Near Federal Way
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Covington
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Federal Way.
Tacoma Dome Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Seattle and University Place. Straight-line distance: 27.56 mi (44.36 km).
#1 Seattle
The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.
| Population | 769,714 |
| Coordinates | 47.6062100, -122.3320700 |
| Altitude | 56 |
| 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: University Place (-122.5504, 47.23565)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $7.01 | $14.02 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $7.46 | $14.92 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $7.73 | $15.47 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $7.33 | $14.65 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.