How far is Tumwater, WA from Auburn, WA?

The driving distance from Tumwater, WA to Auburn, WA is about 46 miles (74.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 38.1 miles (61.3 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.
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
46.02 mi
00h 51m
Flight
38.11 mi
61.34 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tumwater.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
38.11 mi
Kilometers
61.34 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.02 mi
Kilometers
74.07 km
Drive Time
00h 51m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Auburn
Sat, May 30, 5:55 AM PDT
Return by in Tumwater
Sat, May 30, 6:46 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tumwater
2026-05-30T05:03
Arrive Auburn
Sat, May 30, 5:55 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:51 AM to 10:51 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:48 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tumwater
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
Lakewood
WA

The most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.

From Tumwater
21.6 mi
00h 25m
To Auburn
24.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph W
Destination
65°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Tumwater and Auburn.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tumwater and Auburn.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    24 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Continue on 2nd Avenue Southwest

    1.1 km · 2 min · 2nd Avenue Southwest

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Custer Way Southwest

    623 ft · 16 sec · Custer Way Southwest

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Boston Street Southeast

    679 ft · 18 sec · Boston Street Southeast

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Deschutes Way

    1957 ft · 40 sec · Deschutes Way

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right

    1710 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    28.8 mi · 36 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    8.2 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation

    2644 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    3.2 mi · 4 min · State Route 18

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward C Street Southwest

    1705 ft · 44 sec

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto C Street Southwest

    1648 ft · 49 sec · C Street Southwest

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1135 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tumwater and Auburn.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Deschutes Way
37.7 mi · 82%
State Route 18
3.25 mi · 7%
2nd Avenue Southwest
0.65 mi · 1%
C Street Southwest
0.64 mi · 1%
WA 18 East
0.5 mi · 1%
West Main Street
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

Deschutes Way

Merge slight left

28.8 mi · 00h 36m

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
00h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.9 mi
38.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lakewood
00h 25m from Tumwater
Leave By
4:48 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Tumwater and Partly Sunny near Auburn.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Tumwater to Auburn?

The road trip is about 46 miles (74.1 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?

Lakewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.6 miles from Tumwater and 24.5 miles from Auburn.

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

The direct path is about 38.1 miles (61.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 4:48 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.48 one way or $16.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Tumwater and Partly Sunny near Auburn.

Stop Ideas Near Lakewood

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lakewood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 9.3 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
City of Puyallup
Meeting point 11.5 mi away

City of Puyallup

Puyallup , WA
333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
Rating 3.3/5 23 reviews City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Nearby stop 14.3 mi away

Lacey Community Center

Olympia , WA
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Rating 4.5/5 280 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lakewood.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

11 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

29 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tukwila station

38 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

50 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tumwater and Auburn. Straight-line distance: 38.11 mi (61.34 km).

Tumwater

#1 Tumwater

City in Thurston County, Washington, United States

Population24,272
Coordinates47.0073200, -122.9093100
Altitude53
CountryUnited States
Auburn

#2 Auburn

The second most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.

Population81,024
Coordinates47.3073200, -122.2284500
Altitude25
CountryUnited States
Start: (-122.909218, 47.007335)
End: A Street Southeast (-122.228563, 47.307325)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 74 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.62 gal
6.15 L · about $8.48
Round trip
$16.95
3.24 gal · 12.3 L
Estimated CO2
14.4 kg one way
Round trip: 28.8 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $8.48 $16.95
Mid-grade $5.57 $9.02 $18.04
Premium $5.77 $9.35 $18.70
Diesel $5.47 $8.86 $17.71

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

There is no time difference between Tumwater and Auburn. The current time is 05:03:48.

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.