How far is Yelm, WA from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance from Yelm, WA to Tacoma, WA is about 32 miles (51.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.8 miles (36.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 23m 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 41m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in the state of 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 Tacoma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yelm and Tacoma.
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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
14.3 mi · 18 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street
1248 ft · 21 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton, South 38th Street West, Tacoma Mall
1086 ft · 19 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
1655 ft · 28 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
2562 ft · 44 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Sprague Avenue
2552 ft · 1 min
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21
Continue on Sprague Ramp
1467 ft · 44 sec · Sprague Ramp
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22
Continue on South Sprague Avenue
2964 ft · 2 min · South Sprague Avenue
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23
Turn right onto South 11th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · South 11th Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 11th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yelm 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 North
Merge slight left
14.3 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Sunny leaving Yelm and Sunny near Tacoma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yelm to Tacoma?
The road trip is about 32 miles (51.5 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?
DuPont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Yelm and 16.3 miles from Tacoma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.8 miles (36.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 7:06 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.91 one way or $11.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Yelm and Sunny near Tacoma.
Stop Ideas Near DuPont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Lakewood City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to DuPont.
Centennial Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Centralia station
Tukwila station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Yelm and Tacoma. Straight-line distance: 22.79 mi (36.67 km).
#1 Yelm
City in Thurston County, Washington, United States
| Population | 9,591 |
| Coordinates | 46.9420400, -122.6059600 |
| Altitude | 105 |
| 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: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 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 | $5.91 | $11.83 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $6.52 | $13.04 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $6.18 | $12.36 |
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.