How far is Tacoma, WA from Carnation, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Carnation, WA is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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 13m.
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 King County, Washington, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and Carnation.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Carnation.
-
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
-
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
7.7 mi · 10 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
2644 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
27.3 mi · 35 min · State Route 18
-
12
Continue on Snoqualmie Parkway
1702 ft · 26 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
-
13
Take the exit straight toward I 90 West: Seattle
1 km · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
2.3 mi · 2 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Preston, Fall City
958 ft · 24 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Preston, Fall City
43 m · 3 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto Preston-Fall City Road
82 m · 10 sec · Preston-Fall City Road
-
18
Turn right onto Southeast High Point Way
2484 ft · 1 min · Southeast High Point Way
-
19
Continue on Preston Fall City Road Southeast
4 mi · 8 min · Preston Fall City Road Southeast
-
20
Continue on Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road
137 m · 26 sec · Southeast Fall City-Snoqualmie Road
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast
34 m · 2 sec · Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast
-
22
Exit the roundabout onto Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast
3.2 mi · 5 min · Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast
-
23
Continue on Fall City-Carnation Road Northeast
2 mi · 3 min · Fall City-Carnation Road Northeast
-
24
Continue on Tolt Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · Tolt Avenue
-
25
Turn right onto Entwistle Street
22 m · 3 sec · Entwistle Street
-
26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Entwistle Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Carnation.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Route 18
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
27.3 mi · 00h 35m
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 Tacoma and Chance Light Rain near Carnation.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Carnation?
The road trip is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?
Maple Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.8 miles from Tacoma and 25.8 miles from Carnation.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.8 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 4:02 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.52 one way or $19.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Tacoma and Chance Light Rain near Carnation.
Stop Ideas Near Maple Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Auburn
City Hall Saloon & Eatery
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maple Valley.
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Carnation. Straight-line distance: 36.86 mi (59.32 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carnation
City
| Population | 2,306 |
| Coordinates | 47.6478800, -121.9140100 |
| Altitude | 24 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carnation (-121.91401, 47.64788)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 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 | $9.52 | $19.05 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $10.50 | $21.01 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $9.95 | $19.90 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.