How far is Tacoma, WA from Coulee Dam, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Coulee Dam, WA is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 03m 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 05h 01m.
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 Kittitas 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 Coulee Dam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Coulee Dam.
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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
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3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
920 ft · 36 sec · South 13th Street
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4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
65 m · 11 sec · I 705 SB Ramp
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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
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1819 ft · 44 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1395 ft · 34 sec
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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
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11
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
27.3 mi · 35 min · State Route 18
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12
Continue on Snoqualmie Parkway
656 ft · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Spokane
3019 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
125.5 mi · 2 hr 17 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
2490 ft · 1 min
-
16
Continue on Burke Spur
689 ft · 10 sec · Burke Spur
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17
Turn right
20 mi · 27 min
-
18
Turn right onto 5th Avenue Southwest
120 m · 14 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest
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19
Turn left onto Alder Street Southwest
2032 ft · 56 sec · Alder Street Southwest
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20
Continue on Alder Street Northwest
1.6 mi · 3 min · Alder Street Northwest
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21
Turn right
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
22
Turn left
21.3 mi · 29 min
-
23
At the end of the road, turn right onto Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · Coulee Corridor / Sunset Highway
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24
Continue on Coulee Boulevard
25.1 mi · 33 min · Coulee Boulevard
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25
Continue on Grand Coulee Avenue
2795 ft · 57 sec · Grand Coulee Avenue
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26
Continue on Midway Avenue
2708 ft · 1 min · Midway Avenue
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27
Continue on Coulee Corridor
1.7 mi · 4 min · Coulee Corridor
-
28
Continue on State Route 155
893 ft · 26 sec · State Route 155
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29
Continue on Columbia Avenue
1169 ft · 36 sec · Columbia Avenue
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30
Turn right onto State Highway 155
1290 ft · 22 sec · State Highway 155
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31
Continue on Roosevelt Way
848 ft · 23 sec · Roosevelt Way
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Marina Way
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Coulee Dam.
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 90 East
Merge slight left
126 mi · 02h 17m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Tacoma and Sunny near Coulee Dam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Coulee Dam?
The road trip is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km) and usually takes 05h 01m 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?
Ellensburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122 miles from Tacoma and 122.3 miles from Coulee Dam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 75.4 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 6:56 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.11 one way or $90.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Tacoma and Sunny near Coulee Dam.
Stop Ideas Near Ellensburg
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ellensburg.
Columbia Station
Quincy, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Coulee Dam. Straight-line distance: 168.87 mi (271.77 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Coulee Dam
Town in Washington, USA
| Population | 1,083 |
| Coordinates | 47.9654300, -118.9761300 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
End: Coulee Dam (-118.97613, 47.96543)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $45.11 | $90.22 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $47.99 | $95.98 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $49.75 | $99.49 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $47.13 | $94.25 |
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.