How far is Tacoma, WA from White Center, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to White Center, WA is about 28.5 miles (45.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
A city in King County, Washington.
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 White Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and White Center.
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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
-
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
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle
1395 ft · 34 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
16 mi · 20 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right
1662 ft · 41 sec
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11
Continue on State Route 509
1.6 km · 2 min · State Route 509
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto 24th Avenue South
156 m · 13 sec · 24th Avenue South
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13
Continue on 26th Avenue South
1542 ft · 38 sec · 26th Avenue South
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14
Continue on 28th Avenue South
1.1 km · 1 min · 28th Avenue South
-
15
Turn left onto South 188th Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South 188th Street
-
16
Continue on Des Moines Memorial Drive South
707 ft · 17 sec · Des Moines Memorial Drive South
-
17
Take the ramp right
2082 ft · 51 sec
-
18
Continue straight
3 mi · 4 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward South 128th Street
1109 ft · 35 sec
-
20
Turn left onto South 128th Street
1949 ft · 45 sec · South 128th Street
-
21
Continue on Southwest 128th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Southwest 128th Street
-
22
Turn right onto Ambaum Boulevard Southwest
2368 ft · 1 min · Ambaum Boulevard Southwest
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on Ambaum Boulevard Southwest
2029 ft · 52 sec · Ambaum Boulevard Southwest
-
24
Continue on 16th Avenue Southwest
1.3 mi · 3 min · 16th Avenue Southwest
-
25
Turn right onto Southwest Roxbury Street
25 m · 3 sec · Southwest Roxbury Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Southwest Roxbury Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and White Center.
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 North
Merge slight left
16 mi · 00h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Tacoma and Mostly Sunny near White Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to White Center?
The road trip is about 28.5 miles (45.8 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Federal Way is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.2 miles from Tacoma and 14.2 miles from White Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.23 one way or $10.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Tacoma and Mostly Sunny near White Center.
Stop Ideas Near Federal Way
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 Covington
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Federal Way.
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 White Center. Straight-line distance: 18.75 mi (30.17 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 White Center
Census designated place
| Population | 13,495 |
| Coordinates | 47.5173200, -122.3548500 |
| Altitude | 116 |
| Country | United States |
End: White Center (-122.35485, 47.51732)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $5.23 | $10.47 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $5.57 | $11.13 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $5.47 | $10.93 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.