How far is Tacoma, WA from Rainier, WA?

The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Rainier, WA is about 37.6 miles (60.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.7 miles (44.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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
37.61 mi
01h 00m
Flight
27.69 mi
44.57 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
27.69 mi
Kilometers
44.57 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.61 mi
Kilometers
60.52 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 01h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rainier
Wed, Apr 22, 9:23 PM PDT
Return by in Tacoma
Wed, Apr 22, 10:23 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tacoma
2026-04-22T20:22
Arrive Rainier
Wed, Apr 22, 9:23 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:30 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
DuPont
WA

City in the state of Washington

From Tacoma
18.8 mi
00h 30m
To Rainier
18.8 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph SW
Destination
55°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    15.9 mi · 20 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually

    2790 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Mounts Road Southwest

    64 m · 7 sec · Mounts Road Southwest

  11. 11

    Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on Old Pacific Highway Southeast

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Reservation Road Southeast

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

    61 m · 3 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

    1091 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast

    35 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast

    4.2 mi · 7 min · Yelm Highway Southeast

  18. 18

    Continue on Yelm Highway Southeast

    122 m · 10 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward WA 510 Alternate

    35 m · 2 sec · WA 510 Alternate

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto WA 510 Alternate

    1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast

    1 km · 2 min · Killion Road Southeast

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Yelm Avenue

    1384 ft · 41 sec · West Yelm Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Longmire Street Southeast

    1092 ft · 36 sec · Longmire Street Southeast

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Southwest Mosman Avenue

    1514 ft · 42 sec · Southwest Mosman Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on Southeast Mosman Avenue

    130 m · 18 sec · Southeast Mosman Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto 1st Street South

    687 ft · 23 sec · 1st Street South

  27. 27

    Continue on State Route 507

    5.2 mi · 8 min · State Route 507

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Centre Street South

    38 m · 4 sec · Centre Street South

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Centre Street South

Car Route Details

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

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
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
2 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
77.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
16.8 mi · 45%
State Route 507
5.19 mi · 14%
Yelm Highway Southeast
4.27 mi · 11%
Reservation Road Southeast
2.74 mi · 7%
Nisqually Road Southwest
2.15 mi · 6%
Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.65 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
01h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.9 mi
27.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
DuPont
00h 30m from Tacoma
Leave By
4:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Tacoma and Light Rain Likely near Rainier.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 37.6 miles (60.5 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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 18.8 miles from Tacoma and 18.8 miles from Rainier.

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

The direct path is about 27.7 miles (44.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.9 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 4:30 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.96 one way or $13.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Tacoma and Light Rain Likely near Rainier.

Stop Ideas Near DuPont

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around DuPont, 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 DuPont.

RAIL

Centennial Station

17 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

23 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Centralia station

49 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

50 mi away
7301 South 158th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Rainier. Straight-line distance: 27.69 mi (44.57 km).

Tacoma

#1 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

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

#2 Rainier

City in Thurston County, Washington, United States

Population2,350
Coordinates46.8881500, -122.6884600
Altitude132
CountryUnited States
Start: Tacoma (-122.44429, 47.25288)
End: Rainier (-122.68846, 46.88815)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.33 gal
5.02 L · about $6.96
Round trip
$13.92
2.66 gal · 10.04 L
Estimated CO2
11.8 kg one way
Round trip: 23.6 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $6.96 $13.92
Mid-grade $5.57 $7.40 $14.81
Premium $5.77 $7.68 $15.35
Diesel $5.47 $7.27 $14.54

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 Rainier. The current time is 20:22:55.

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.