How far is University Place, WA from Seattle, WA?

The driving distance from University Place, WA to Seattle, WA is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m 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
38.56 mi
00h 46m
Flight
27.56 mi
44.36 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from University Place.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.56 mi
Kilometers
44.36 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.56 mi
Kilometers
62.05 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Seattle
Sun, May 3, 9:45 AM PDT
Return by in University Place
Sun, May 3, 10:32 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave University Place
2026-05-03T08:58
Arrive Seattle
Sun, May 3, 9:45 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:56 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in University Place
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Federal Way
WA

A city in King County, Washington.

From University Place
19.4 mi
00h 23m
To Seattle
19.2 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph NNE
Destination
80°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between University Place and Seattle.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between University Place and Seattle.

  1. 1

    Start on Grandview Drive West

    44 m · 12 sec · Grandview Drive West

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 27th Street West

    1 km · 1 min · 27th Street West

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Bridgeport Way West

    2678 ft · 1 min · Bridgeport Way West

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South 19th Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South 19th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Columbia Avenue

    1781 ft · 51 sec · Columbia Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on South 19th Street

    844 ft · 27 sec · South 19th Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South Orchard Street

    853 ft · 28 sec · South Orchard Street

  8. 8

    Take the ramp left toward WA 16 East: Seattle, Portland

    1755 ft · 45 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    1.5 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    683 ft · 17 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1356 ft · 19 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    31.9 mi · 40 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward Seneca Street

    1359 ft · 36 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Seneca Street

    98 m · 18 sec · Seneca Street

  16. 16

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue

    615 ft · 27 sec · 5th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Madison Street

    34 m · 9 sec · Madison Street

  18. 18

    Turn left

    9 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between University Place and Seattle.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
32.3 mi · 84%
WA 16 East
3.17 mi · 8%
South 19th Street
1.15 mi · 3%
27th Street West
0.63 mi · 2%
Bridgeport Way West
0.51 mi · 1%
Columbia Avenue
0.34 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Keep slight right

31.9 mi · 00h 40m

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 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11 mi
27.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Federal Way
00h 23m from University Place
Leave By
4:56 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving University Place and Sunny near Seattle.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from University Place to Seattle?

The road trip is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Federal Way is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.4 miles from University Place and 19.2 miles from Seattle.

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

The direct path is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 4:56 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.12 one way or $14.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around University Place and Sunny near Seattle.

Stop Ideas Near Federal Way

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 Federal Way and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 9.5 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
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 9.5 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 4.5 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
City of Covington
Meeting point 8.3 mi away

City of Covington

Covington , WA
16720 SE 271st St, Covington, WA 98042
Rating 4.2/5 5 reviews City Hall,City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Federal Way.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

12 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

16 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

31 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

33 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between University Place and Seattle. Straight-line distance: 27.56 mi (44.36 km).

University Place

#1 University Place

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Population34,090
Coordinates47.2356500, -122.5504000
Altitude63
CountryUnited States
Seattle

#2 Seattle

The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.

Population769,714
Coordinates47.6062100, -122.3320700
Altitude56
CountryUnited States
Start: Grandview Drive West (-122.550378, 47.23565)
End: (-122.332143, 47.606309)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.36 gal
5.15 L · about $7.12
Round trip
$14.23
2.72 gal · 10.3 L
Estimated CO2
12.1 kg one way
Round trip: 24.2 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $7.12 $14.23
Mid-grade $5.57 $7.57 $15.14
Premium $5.77 $7.85 $15.70
Diesel $5.47 $7.44 $14.87

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between University Place and Seattle. The current time is 08:58:25.

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.