How far is Tacoma, WA from Yelm, WA?
The driving distance from Tacoma, WA to Yelm, WA is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.8 miles (36.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m 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 51m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tacoma and Yelm.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tacoma and 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
-
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
50 m · 6 sec · North 1st Street
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24
Turn right
17 m · 4 sec
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tacoma and 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.
Sunny leaving Tacoma and Sunny near Yelm.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Yelm?
The road trip is about 32.1 miles (51.7 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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 16 miles from Tacoma and 16.1 miles from Yelm.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.8 miles (36.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 4:48 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.91 one way or $11.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tacoma and Sunny near Yelm.
Stop Ideas Near DuPont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Lakewood City Hall
Lacey Community Center
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 Yelm. Straight-line distance: 22.79 mi (36.67 km).
#1 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Yelm
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
| Population | 9,591 |
| Coordinates | 46.9420400, -122.6059600 |
| Altitude | 105 |
| Country | United States |
End: Yelm (-122.60596, 46.94204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 52 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $5.91 | $11.83 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $6.52 | $13.04 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.