How far is Vashon, WA from Tacoma, WA?

The driving distance from Vashon, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
16.91 mi
00h 50m
Flight
13.45 mi
21.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Vashon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.45 mi
Kilometers
21.65 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.91 mi
Kilometers
27.21 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tacoma
Sun, Apr 19, 3:57 AM PDT
Return by in Vashon
Sun, Apr 19, 4:47 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Vashon
2026-04-19T03:07
Arrive Tacoma
Sun, Apr 19, 3:57 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:50 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Vashon
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
Ruston
WA

City in Washington state

From Vashon
8.4 mi
00h 25m
To Tacoma
8.5 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph NNE
Destination
60°F
Sunday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Vashon and Tacoma.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Vashon and Tacoma.

  1. 1

    Start on 98th Place Southwest

    160 m · 28 sec · 98th Place Southwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Vashon Highway Southwest

    8.9 mi · 16 min · Vashon Highway Southwest

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Ferry Dock

    132 m · 9 sec · Ferry Dock

  4. 4

    Continue on Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry

    1.8 mi · 15 min · Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry

  5. 5

    Continue on North Pearl Street

    1627 ft · 56 sec · North Pearl Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Pearl Street

    38 m · 5 sec · North Pearl Street

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto North Pearl Street

    1371 ft · 47 sec · North Pearl Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North 51st Street

    1875 ft · 1 min · North 51st Street

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Ruston Way

    27 m · 5 sec · Ruston Way

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Ruston Way

    778 ft · 44 sec · Ruston Way

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Ruston Way

    24 m · 5 sec · Ruston Way

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Ruston Way

    2.5 mi · 6 min · Ruston Way

  13. 13

    Continue on North Schuster Parkway

    1.7 mi · 4 min · North Schuster Parkway

  14. 14

    Continue on South Schuster Parkway

    89 m · 10 sec · South Schuster Parkway

  15. 15

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1081 ft · 41 sec · Pacific Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South 9th Street

    1090 ft · 45 sec · South 9th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Fawcett Avenue

    759 ft · 30 sec · Fawcett Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto South 11th Street

    100 m · 11 sec · South 11th Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Vashon and Tacoma.

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
19 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
112.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Vashon Highway Southwest
8.86 mi · 52%
Ruston Way
2.63 mi · 16%
Point Defiance-Tahlequah Ferry
1.82 mi · 11%
North Schuster Parkway
1.73 mi · 10%
North Pearl Street
0.59 mi · 3%
North 51st Street
0.35 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Vashon Highway Southwest

Turn left onto Vashon Highway Southwest

8.86 mi · 00h 16m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.4 mi
13.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Ruston
00h 25m from Vashon
Leave By
4:50 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Vashon and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Vashon to Tacoma?

The road trip is about 16.9 miles (27.2 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Ruston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.4 miles from Vashon and 8.5 miles from Tacoma.

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

The direct path is about 13.5 miles (21.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.4 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 4:50 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.14 one way or $6.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Vashon and Light Rain Likely near Tacoma.

Stop Ideas Near Ruston

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 Ruston and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 6.5 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 14.9 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 13.2 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 Normandy Park City Hall
Meeting point 10.4 mi away

City of Normandy Park City Hall

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 5.0/5 4 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

9 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

27 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

36 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

37 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Vashon and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 13.45 mi (21.65 km).

Vashon

#1 Vashon

Town on Vashon Island in King County, Washington, United States

Population10,624
Coordinates47.4473200, -122.4598500
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Tacoma

#2 Tacoma

The third most populous city in Washington.

Population219,945
Coordinates47.2528800, -122.4442900
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: 98th Place Southwest (-122.459856, 47.447352)
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 27 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.6 gal
2.26 L · about $3.14
Round trip
$6.28
1.2 gal · 4.52 L
Estimated CO2
5.3 kg one way
Round trip: 10.7 kg / 24 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $3.14 $6.28
Mid-grade $5.57 $3.34 $6.68
Premium $5.77 $3.46 $6.93
Diesel $5.47 $3.28 $6.56

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Vashon and Tacoma. The current time is 03:07:01.

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.