How far is Tacoma, WA from Chelan, WA?

The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Chelan, WA is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120.3 miles (193.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
193.45 mi
04h 06m
Flight
120.29 mi
193.59 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tacoma.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
120.29 mi
Kilometers
193.59 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
193.45 mi
Kilometers
311.32 km
Drive Time
04h 06m

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 04h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Chelan
Fri, Apr 24, 3:19 AM PDT
Return by in Tacoma
Fri, Apr 24, 7:25 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tacoma
2026-04-23T23:13
Arrive Chelan
Fri, Apr 24, 3:19 AM PDT
Route Timing
04h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 PM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:48 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tacoma
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Cle Elum
WA

City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States

From Tacoma
96.6 mi
02h 03m
To Chelan
96.9 mi
02h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph WSW
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
9 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and Chelan.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Chelan.

  1. 1

    Start on South 11th Street

    686 ft · 29 sec · South 11th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Market Street

    759 ft · 31 sec · Market Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 13th Street

    920 ft · 36 sec · South 13th Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp

    65 m · 11 sec · I 705 SB Ramp

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward Port of Tacoma

    869 ft · 21 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    1.3 km · 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    1819 ft · 44 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    1395 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    7.7 mi · 10 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation

    2644 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    27.3 mi · 35 min · State Route 18

  12. 12

    Continue on Snoqualmie Parkway

    656 ft · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Spokane

    3019 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    59.8 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Cle Elum, Leavenworth

    1101 ft · 32 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Sunset Highway

    2128 ft · 34 sec · Sunset Highway

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn right

    642 ft · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    9.8 mi · 13 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    35.2 mi · 44 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit right toward US 2

    14.8 mi · 20 min · US 2

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US2, US97

    69 m · 10 sec · Easy Street

  22. 22

    Exit the rotary onto Easy Street

    107 m · 12 sec · Easy Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Ohme Garden Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Ohme Garden Road

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route

    60 m · 3 sec

  25. 25

    Exit the roundabout

    33.1 mi · 46 min

  26. 26

    Continue on West Woodin Avenue

    2088 ft · 1 min · West Woodin Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left onto North Columbia Street

    106 m · 21 sec · North Columbia Street

  28. 28

    Turn right onto East Johnson Avenue

    706 ft · 14 sec · East Johnson Avenue

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Johnson Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Chelan.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
29 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
4 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
60.4 mi · 31%
Sunset Highway
45.4 mi · 23%
Ohme Garden Road
34.2 mi · 18%
State Route 18
27.3 mi · 14%
US 2
14.8 mi · 8%
I 5 North
8.28 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 90 East

Merge slight left

59.8 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+73.1 mi
120.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cle Elum
02h 03m from Tacoma
Leave By
8:48 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Tacoma and Sunny near Chelan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Chelan?

The road trip is about 193.4 miles (311.3 km) and usually takes 04h 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?

Cle Elum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.6 miles from Tacoma and 96.9 miles from Chelan.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 120.3 miles (193.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.1 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 8:48 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.74 one way or $71.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tacoma and Sunny near Chelan.

Stop Ideas Near Cle Elum

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Cle Elum, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cle Elum.

BUS

Leavenworth, Washington

49 mi away
Hwy 2 and 12th St.
RAIL

Leavenworth

51 mi away
11645 North Rd
RAIL

Columbia Station

54 mi away
Kittitas & South Columbia Sts.
BUS

Stevens Pass, Washington

60 mi away
US Highway 2 at Summit Parking Lot

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Chelan. Straight-line distance: 120.29 mi (193.59 km).

Tacoma

#1 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Chelan

#2 Chelan

City in Washington

Population4,245
Coordinates47.8409700, -120.0164600
Altitude344
CountryUnited States
Start: Tacoma (-122.44429, 47.25288)
End: Chelan (-120.01646, 47.84097)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 311 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.83 gal
25.84 L · about $35.74
Round trip
$71.48
13.66 gal · 51.68 L
Estimated CO2
60.7 kg one way
Round trip: 121.4 kg / 268 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $35.74 $71.48
Mid-grade $5.57 $38.02 $76.05
Premium $5.77 $39.42 $78.83
Diesel $5.47 $37.34 $74.68

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Tacoma and Chelan. The current time is 23:13:23.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.