How far is Tacoma, WA from Carson, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Carson, WA is about 180.4 miles (290.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.7 miles (176.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m 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 40m.
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 Cowlitz County, Washington, United States
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 Tacoma and Carson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Carson.
-
1
Start on South 11th Street
686 ft · 29 sec · South 11th Street
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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 left to continue on I 5 South: Portland
1.3 km · 2 min
-
8
Merge slight left
125.2 mi · 2 hr 21 min
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 205 South: Salem
10.1 mi · 13 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
643 ft · 14 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on WA 14 East: Camas
1.5 km · 2 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
5.6 mi · 7 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
-
13
Continue on Lewis and Clark Highway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Lewis and Clark Highway
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Lewis and Clark Highway
26 m · 1 sec · Lewis and Clark Highway
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Lewis and Clark Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Lewis and Clark Highway
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
31 m · 2 sec · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
-
17
Exit the roundabout onto Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
-
18
Continue on Evergreen Highway
22.3 mi · 31 min · Evergreen Highway
-
19
Continue on 2nd Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 2nd Street
-
20
Continue on Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wind River Road
60 m · 9 sec · Wind River Road
-
22
Exit the roundabout onto Wind River Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Wind River Road
-
23
Turn right onto Hot Springs Avenue
82 m · 9 sec · Hot Springs Avenue
-
24
Turn right onto 1st Street
60 m · 9 sec · 1st Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Carson.
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
Merge slight left
125 mi · 02h 21m
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 Tacoma and Sunny near Carson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Carson?
The road trip is about 180.4 miles (290.4 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Castle Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.1 miles from Tacoma and 90.4 miles from Carson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.7 miles (176.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.7 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 9:38 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.62 one way or $69.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tacoma and Sunny near Carson.
Stop Ideas Near Castle Rock
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Kelso City Parks & Recreation
Rainier City Hall
Kelso City Water-Sewer Bills
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Castle Rock.
Kelso Multimodal Transportation Center
Centralia station
Elsie, Oregon
Manning, Oregon
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Carson. Straight-line distance: 109.65 mi (176.46 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carson
Positioned on the north bank of the Columbia River in Skamania County, this unincorporated community lies within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area at an elevation of 469 feet.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 45.7253900, -121.8192400 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carson (-121.81924, 45.72539)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.44 | $34.62 | $69.24 |
| Mid-grade | $5.72 | $36.43 | $72.86 |
| Premium | $5.98 | $38.07 | $76.15 |
| Diesel | $7.29 | $46.45 | $92.90 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026