How far is University Place, WA from McKenna, WA?
The driving distance from University Place, WA to McKenna, WA is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 49m 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 54m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between University Place and McKenna.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between University Place and McKenna.
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1
Start on Grandview Drive West
44 m · 12 sec · Grandview Drive West
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2
Turn left onto 27th Street West
1 km · 1 min · 27th Street West
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3
Turn left onto Bridgeport Way West
2678 ft · 1 min · Bridgeport Way West
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4
Turn right onto South 19th Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South 19th Street
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5
Continue on Columbia Avenue
1781 ft · 51 sec · Columbia Avenue
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6
Continue on South 19th Street
844 ft · 27 sec · South 19th Street
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7
Turn right onto South Orchard Street
853 ft · 28 sec · South Orchard Street
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8
Take the ramp left toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland
1755 ft · 45 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 3 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Portland
687 ft · 12 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Portland South 38th Street
1304 ft · 22 sec
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12
Merge slight right
4.2 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward WA 512 East: South Tacoma Way, Puyallup
2003 ft · 49 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on WA 512 East: Puyallup
720 ft · 20 sec
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15
Turn left
1 km · 48 sec
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Steele Street
1276 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn left onto Steele Street South
2390 ft · 1 min · Steele Street South
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18
Continue on 116th Street South
1810 ft · 46 sec · 116th Street South
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19
Continue on Spanaway Loop Road South
3.9 mi · 8 min · Spanaway Loop Road South
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20
Continue on Cross Base Highway
3118 ft · 1 min · Cross Base Highway
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21
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue South
1.5 km · 2 min · Pacific Avenue South
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22
Turn slight right
107 m · 16 sec
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23
Continue on Spanaway McKenna Highway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway
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24
Turn right onto East Gate Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Gate Road
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25
Turn left onto Roy Cutoff Road
2 mi · 4 min · Roy Cutoff Road
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26
Continue on North Warren Street
2802 ft · 2 min · North Warren Street
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27
Turn left onto Water Street
84 m · 20 sec · Water Street
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28
Turn sharp right onto McNaught Road South
1 km · 2 min · McNaught Road South
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29
Continue on Spanaway McKenna Highway
4.3 mi · 7 min · Spanaway McKenna Highway
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30
Turn left
19 m · 5 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between University Place and McKenna.
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.
Spanaway McKenna Highway
Continue on Spanaway McKenna Highway
4.32 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving University Place and Partly Sunny near McKenna.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from University Place to McKenna?
The road trip is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?
Spanaway is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.4 miles from University Place and 15.4 miles from McKenna.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 4:40 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.70 one way or $11.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around University Place and Partly Sunny near McKenna.
Stop Ideas Near Spanaway
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
City of Puyallup
Tacoma City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Spanaway.
Tacoma Dome Station
Centennial Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between University Place and McKenna. Straight-line distance: 20.78 mi (33.45 km).
#1 University Place
City in Pierce County, Washington, United States
| Population | 34,090 |
| Coordinates | 47.2356500, -122.5504000 |
| Altitude | 63 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McKenna
McKenna is a place in Washington, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 46.9348200, -122.5565100 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: McKenna (-122.55651, 46.93482)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 50 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $5.70 | $11.41 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.07 | $12.14 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $5.96 | $11.92 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.