How far is Tacoma, WA from Vashon, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Vashon, WA is about 16.8 miles (27.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 35m 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 47m.
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 Washington state
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and Vashon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and Vashon.
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1
Start on South 11th Street
13 m · 6 sec · South 11th Street
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2
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
760 ft · 26 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
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3
Turn right onto South 9th Street
1459 ft · 57 sec · South 9th Street
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4
Turn left onto Pacific Avenue
1037 ft · 37 sec · Pacific Avenue
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5
Continue on South Schuster Parkway
1.8 mi · 4 min · South Schuster Parkway
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6
Continue on Ruston Way
2.4 mi · 6 min · Ruston Way
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ruston Way
33 m · 6 sec · Ruston Way
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Ruston Way
770 ft · 44 sec · Ruston Way
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North 51st Street
27 m · 5 sec · North 51st Street
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10
Exit the roundabout onto North 51st Street
1904 ft · 1 min · North 51st Street
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11
Turn right onto North Pearl Street
1363 ft · 40 sec · North Pearl Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Pearl Street
24 m · 4 sec · North Pearl Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto North Pearl Street
132 m · 15 sec · North Pearl Street
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Ferry Waiting Lanes
816 ft · 30 sec · Ferry Waiting Lanes
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15
Continue on North Pearl Street
123 m · 14 sec · North Pearl Street
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16
Continue on Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry
1.8 mi · 15 min · Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry
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17
Continue on Ferry Dock
132 m · 14 sec · Ferry Dock
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18
Turn left onto Southwest Tahlequah Road
87 m · 6 sec · Southwest Tahlequah Road
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19
Continue on Vashon Highway Southwest
8.8 mi · 16 min · Vashon Highway Southwest
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20
Turn right onto 98th Place Southwest
160 m · 23 sec · 98th Place Southwest
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 98th Place Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and Vashon.
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.
Vashon Highway Southwest
Continue on Vashon Highway Southwest
8.8 mi · 00h 16m
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 Chance Light Rain near Vashon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Vashon?
The road trip is about 16.8 miles (27.1 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?
Ruston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.5 miles from Tacoma and 8.5 miles from Vashon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 4:54 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.09 one way or $6.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Tacoma and Chance Light Rain near Vashon.
Stop Ideas Near Ruston
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Normandy Park City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Ruston.
Tacoma Dome Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tacoma and Vashon. Straight-line distance: 13.45 mi (21.65 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Vashon
Town on Vashon Island in King County, Washington, United States
| Population | 10,624 |
| Coordinates | 47.4473200, -122.4598500 |
| Altitude | 116 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vashon (-122.45985, 47.44732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 27 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $3.09 | $6.17 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $3.28 | $6.57 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $3.40 | $6.81 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $3.23 | $6.45 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.