How far is White Center, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from White Center, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Washington
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between White Center and Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between White Center and Tacoma.
-
1
Start on Southwest Roxbury Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Southwest Roxbury Street
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2
Turn slight left onto Olson Place Southwest
2680 ft · 2 min · Olson Place Southwest
-
3
Take the ramp slight right toward WA 509 North: Seattle
1894 ft · 36 sec
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4
Merge slight left
1539 ft · 22 sec
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way
151 m · 12 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on WA 99 South: West Marginal Way, Transfer Station
615 ft · 17 sec
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7
Turn right onto West Marginal Way South
3.1 mi · 4 min · West Marginal Way South
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8
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 2 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Portland
2225 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left
21.5 mi · 27 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
785 ft · 19 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
102 m · 8 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 705 North: City Center
2087 ft · 51 sec
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14
Merge slight right
1554 ft · 22 sec
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15
Take the exit slight left toward A Street, City Center
1550 ft · 38 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
1048 ft · 31 sec
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17
Continue on South 15th Street
1462 ft · 60 sec · South 15th Street
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18
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
1516 ft · 49 sec · Tacoma Avenue South
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19
Turn right onto South 11th Street
13 m · 2 sec · South 11th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between White Center and Tacoma.
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
21.5 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving White Center and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from White Center to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Des Moines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.2 miles from White Center and 15.3 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.65 one way or $11.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around White Center and Mostly Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near Des Moines
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Covington
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Des Moines.
Tukwila station
Tacoma Dome Station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between White Center and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 18.75 mi (30.17 km).
#1 White Center
Census designated place
| Population | 13,495 |
| Coordinates | 47.5173200, -122.3548500 |
| Altitude | 116 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tacoma
The third most populous city in Washington.
| Population | 219,945 |
| Coordinates | 47.2528800, -122.4442900 |
| Altitude | 74 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 11th Street (-122.444267, 47.25278)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 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 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $5.65 | $11.30 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.01 | $12.02 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $6.23 | $12.47 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $5.90 | $11.81 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.