How far is Tacoma, WA from Rock Island, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Rock Island, WA is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 108.1 miles (174 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 18m 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 03h 39m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and Rock Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Rock Island.
-
1
Start on South 11th Street
686 ft · 29 sec · South 11th Street
-
2
Turn right onto Market Street
759 ft · 31 sec · Market Street
-
3
Turn left onto South 13th Street
920 ft · 36 sec · South 13th Street
-
4
Turn right onto I 705 SB Ramp
65 m · 11 sec · I 705 SB Ramp
-
5
Take the ramp straight toward Port of Tacoma
869 ft · 21 sec
-
6
Merge slight right
1.3 km · 1 min
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1819 ft · 44 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1395 ft · 34 sec
-
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
-
11
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
27.3 mi · 35 min · State Route 18
-
12
Continue on Snoqualmie Parkway
656 ft · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Spokane
3019 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
59.8 mi · 1 hr 7 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Cle Elum, Leavenworth
1101 ft · 32 sec
-
16
Turn left onto Sunset Highway
2128 ft · 34 sec · Sunset Highway
-
17
At the end of the road, turn right
642 ft · 10 sec
-
18
Take the exit slight right
9.8 mi · 13 min
-
19
Continue straight
35.2 mi · 44 min
-
20
Take the exit right toward US 2
14.8 mi · 20 min · US 2
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US2, US97
40 m · 6 sec
-
22
Exit the rotary
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
23
Turn right onto Sunset Highway
3.8 mi · 7 min · Sunset Highway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on State Route 28
8.4 mi · 12 min · State Route 28
-
25
Turn left onto Rock Island Drive
1376 ft · 49 sec · Rock Island Drive
-
26
Turn right onto Delaware Avenue
918 ft · 31 sec · Delaware Avenue
-
27
At the end of the road, turn left onto Saunders Avenue
601 ft · 17 sec · Saunders Avenue
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Saunders Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Rock Island.
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
59.8 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Tacoma and Mostly Sunny near Rock Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Rock Island?
The road trip is about 173.1 miles (278.5 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?
Roslyn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Tacoma and 86.7 miles from Rock Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 108.1 miles (174 km), while the road route adds roughly 65 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 9:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.97 one way or $63.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tacoma and Mostly Sunny near Rock Island.
Stop Ideas Near Roslyn
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 Roslyn.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Columbia Station
Stevens Pass, Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Rock Island. Straight-line distance: 108.09 mi (173.96 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rock Island
City in Douglas County, Washington
| Population | 1,310 |
| Coordinates | 47.3770700, -120.1439500 |
| Altitude | 196 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rock Island (-120.14395, 47.37707)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $31.97 | $63.95 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $34.01 | $68.03 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $35.26 | $70.52 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $33.40 | $66.81 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.