How far is Tacoma, WA from Ames Lake, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Ames Lake, WA is about 51 miles (82 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34.5 miles (55.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 22m 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 01h 11m.
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.
The second most populous city in King County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and Ames Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Ames Lake.
-
1
Start on South 11th Street
686 ft · 29 sec · South 11th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Market Street
759 ft · 31 sec · Market Street
-
3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
920 ft · 36 sec · South 13th Street
-
4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
65 m · 11 sec · I 705 SB Ramp
-
5
Take the ramp straight toward Port of Tacoma
869 ft · 21 sec
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6
Merge slight right
1.3 km · 1 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1819 ft · 44 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1395 ft · 34 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 25 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
136 m · 11 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
2062 ft · 50 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
13.8 mi · 17 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
2458 ft · 60 sec
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on WA 520 East: 124th Avenue Northeast, Redmond
138 m · 11 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on 124th Avenue Northeast
1401 ft · 34 sec
-
16
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 7 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward WA 202: Redmond Way
2211 ft · 54 sec
-
18
Turn right onto Redmond Way
1.4 km · 2 min · Redmond Way
-
19
Continue on Northeast Redmond Fall City Road
5.2 mi · 8 min · Northeast Redmond Fall City Road
-
20
Turn left onto Northeast Ames Lake Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · Northeast Ames Lake Road
-
21
Turn right onto Northeast Quail Creek Drive
1512 ft · 1 min · Northeast Quail Creek Drive
-
22
Turn left onto Quail Creek Way Northeast
86 m · 14 sec · Quail Creek Way Northeast
-
23
Turn right onto Northeast 26th Street
73 m · 16 sec · Northeast 26th Street
-
24
Turn left onto 279th Court Northeast
76 m · 11 sec · 279th Court Northeast
-
25
Turn slight left
58 m · 14 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Ames Lake.
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 North
Merge slight left
20.1 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain leaving Tacoma and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain near Ames Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Ames Lake?
The road trip is about 51 miles (82 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Renton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.5 miles from Tacoma and 25.5 miles from Ames Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34.5 miles (55.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 4:08 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.42 one way or $18.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain around Tacoma and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain near Ames Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Renton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Auburn
Auburn Community & Event Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Renton.
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Tacoma Dome Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Ames Lake. Straight-line distance: 34.47 mi (55.48 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames Lake
Census designated place in Washington, United States
| Population | 1,486 |
| Coordinates | 47.6328800, -121.9662300 |
| Altitude | 98 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames Lake (-121.96623, 47.63288)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $9.42 | $18.84 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $10.02 | $20.04 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $10.39 | $20.78 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $9.84 | $19.68 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.