How far is Tacoma, WA from North Yelm, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to North Yelm, WA is about 34.6 miles (55.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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 00h 57m.
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 the state of Washington
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and North Yelm.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and North Yelm.
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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 left to continue on I 5 South: Portland
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left
15.9 mi · 20 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually
2790 ft · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Mounts Road Southwest
64 m · 7 sec · Mounts Road Southwest
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11
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest
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12
Continue on Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast
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13
Turn left onto Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
61 m · 3 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
1091 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast
35 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast
4.2 mi · 7 min · Yelm Highway Southeast
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18
Continue on Yelm Highway Southeast
122 m · 10 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward WA 510 Alternate
35 m · 2 sec · WA 510 Alternate
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20
Exit the roundabout onto WA 510 Alternate
1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate
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21
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
1 km · 2 min · Killion Road Southeast
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22
Turn left onto West Yelm Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West Yelm Avenue
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23
Turn left onto North 1st Street
100 m · 9 sec · North 1st Street
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24
Continue on 1st Street Northeast
1606 ft · 46 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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25
Turn right onto Railway Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Railway Road Southeast
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26
Turn left onto Canal Road Southeast
1495 ft · 37 sec · Canal Road Southeast
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27
Continue on Wilkenson Road Southeast
2619 ft · 1 min · Wilkenson Road Southeast
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28
Continue on Ordway Drive Southeast
1.1 km · 2 min · Ordway Drive Southeast
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29
Turn left onto Joyce Court Southeast
105 m · 15 sec · Joyce Court Southeast
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Joyce Court Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and North Yelm.
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.
I 5 South
Merge slight left
15.9 mi · 00h 20m
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 Light Rain Likely near North Yelm.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to North Yelm?
The road trip is about 34.6 miles (55.7 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
DuPont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.3 miles from Tacoma and 17.3 miles from North Yelm.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.4 miles (34.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 4:36 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.38 one way or $12.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Tacoma and Light Rain Likely near North Yelm.
Stop Ideas Near DuPont
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 DuPont.
Centennial Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Centralia station
Tukwila station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and North Yelm. Straight-line distance: 21.36 mi (34.38 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North Yelm
Census designated place
| Population | 2,906 |
| Coordinates | 46.9631500, -122.6029000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Yelm (-122.6029, 46.96315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $6.38 | $12.77 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.79 | $13.58 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $7.04 | $14.08 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $6.67 | $13.34 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.