How far is Tacoma, WA from McKenna, WA?

The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to McKenna, WA is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
28.75 mi
00h 50m
Flight
22.6 mi
36.37 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tacoma.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
22.6 mi
Kilometers
36.37 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.75 mi
Kilometers
46.27 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 00h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McKenna
Thu, Apr 23, 5:14 AM PDT
Return by in Tacoma
Thu, Apr 23, 6:05 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tacoma
2026-04-23T04:23
Arrive McKenna
Thu, Apr 23, 5:14 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tacoma
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Spanaway
WA

Census designated place

From Tacoma
14.4 mi
00h 25m
To McKenna
14.4 mi
00h 25m

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
62°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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 left to continue on I 5 South: Portland

    1.3 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    5.2 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 512 East: South Tacoma Way, Puyallup

    2003 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 512 East: Puyallup

    720 ft · 20 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left

    1 km · 48 sec

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Steele Street

    1276 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Steele Street South

    2390 ft · 1 min · Steele Street South

  14. 14

    Continue on 116th Street South

    1810 ft · 46 sec · 116th Street South

  15. 15

    Continue on Spanaway Loop Road South

    3.9 mi · 8 min · Spanaway Loop Road South

  16. 16

    Continue on Cross Base Highway

    3118 ft · 1 min · Cross Base Highway

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Pacific Avenue South

    1.5 km · 2 min · Pacific Avenue South

  18. 18

    Turn slight right

    107 m · 16 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on Spanaway McKenna Highway

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Gate Road

    2 mi · 3 min · East Gate Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Roy Cutoff Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Roy Cutoff Road

  22. 22

    Continue on North Warren Street

    2802 ft · 2 min · North Warren Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Water Street

    84 m · 20 sec · Water Street

  24. 24

    Turn sharp right onto McNaught Road South

    1 km · 2 min · McNaught Road South

  25. 25

    Continue on Spanaway McKenna Highway

    4.3 mi · 7 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway

  26. 26

    Turn left

    19 m · 5 sec

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
27 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
94.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Spanaway McKenna Highway
8.26 mi · 29%
I 5 South
6.06 mi · 21%
Spanaway Loop Road South
3.93 mi · 14%
East Gate Road
2.01 mi · 7%
Roy Cutoff Road
2 mi · 7%
Port of Tacoma
0.99 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

5.23 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.2 mi
22.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Spanaway
00h 25m from Tacoma
Leave By
4:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Tacoma and Partly Sunny near McKenna.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Spanaway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.4 miles from Tacoma and 14.4 miles from McKenna.

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

The direct path is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.29 one way or $10.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Spanaway

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Spanaway and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 11.2 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
City of Puyallup
Meeting point 9.3 mi away

City of Puyallup

Puyallup , WA
333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
Rating 3.3/5 23 reviews City Hall
Tacoma City Hall
Nearby stop 11.1 mi away

Tacoma City Hall

Tacoma , WA
747 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.7/5 6 reviews Municipal administration office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Spanaway.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

15 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

30 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tukwila station

42 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

56 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and McKenna. Straight-line distance: 22.6 mi (36.37 km).

Tacoma

#1 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 McKenna

McKenna is a place in Washington, United States.

Population0
Coordinates46.9348200, -122.5565100
Altitude95
CountryUnited States
Start: Tacoma (-122.44429, 47.25288)
End: McKenna (-122.55651, 46.93482)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 46 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.01 gal
3.84 L · about $5.29
Round trip
$10.57
2.02 gal · 7.68 L
Estimated CO2
9 kg one way
Round trip: 18 kg / 40 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $5.29 $10.57
Mid-grade $5.57 $5.62 $11.25
Premium $5.77 $5.83 $11.66
Diesel $5.47 $5.52 $11.04

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Tacoma and McKenna. The current time is 04:23:58.

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.