How far is Yelm, WA from Auburn, WA?
The driving distance from Yelm, WA to Auburn, WA is about 40 miles (64.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 04m 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 01h 02m.
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.
The most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yelm and Auburn.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yelm and Auburn.
-
1
Start on the route
17 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left onto North 1st Street
50 m · 8 sec · North 1st Street
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3
Turn right onto West Yelm Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West Yelm Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Killion Road Southeast
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5
Turn left onto WA 510 Alternate
1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast
39 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast
4.2 mi · 8 min · Yelm Highway Southeast
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
30 m · 2 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
1106 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Reservation Road Southeast
7 m · 1 sec · Reservation Road Southeast
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast
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13
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest
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14
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
1558 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left
16.4 mi · 21 min
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16
Keep slight right
8.2 mi · 10 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 East: Auburn, Muckleshoot Reservation
2644 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto State Route 18
3.2 mi · 4 min · State Route 18
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19
Take the exit slight right toward C Street Southwest
1705 ft · 44 sec
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto C Street Southwest
1648 ft · 49 sec · C Street Southwest
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21
Turn right onto West Main Street
1135 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yelm and Auburn.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 North
Merge slight left
16.4 mi · 00h 21m
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.
Sunny leaving Yelm and Sunny near Auburn.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yelm to Auburn?
The road trip is about 40 miles (64.3 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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 21.4 miles from Yelm and 18.6 miles from Auburn.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.9 miles (49.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 4:26 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.38 one way or $14.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Yelm and Sunny near Auburn.
Stop Ideas Near Lakewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
City of Puyallup
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lakewood.
Tacoma Dome Station
Centennial Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Yelm and Auburn. Straight-line distance: 30.85 mi (49.65 km).
#1 Yelm
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
| Population | 9,591 |
| Coordinates | 46.9420400, -122.6059600 |
| Altitude | 105 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Auburn
The second most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.
| Population | 81,024 |
| Coordinates | 47.3073200, -122.2284500 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| Country | United States |
End: A Street Southeast (-122.228563, 47.307325)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $7.38 | $14.76 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $7.85 | $15.70 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $8.14 | $16.27 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $7.71 | $15.42 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.