🗺️CityToCityDistance

Tacoma to Seattle Distance

33 miles•53 km•0.7 hours

Driving distance and route information from Tacoma, United Statesto Seattle, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

33.04 mi
(53.17 km)
⏱️44m
Via I-705 → I-5
I-705 → I-5
📏

SHORTEST ROUTE

32.89 mi
(52.93 km)
⏱️47m
Via I-705 → I-5 → WA-509 → WA-99
I-705 → I-5
📏 Straight-line distance: 25 miles (41 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Tacoma to Seattle

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
33 mi
53 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
0.7 hours
42 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
4 L
$7 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointTacoma, Washington
DestinationSeattle, Washington
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed76 km/h
Straight-line Distance41 km
Route Efficiency77%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Tacoma to Seattle

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route33 mi (53 km)0.7 hours72 km/h❌ No
Alternative 133 mi (53 km)0.8 hours68 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Tacoma to Seattle

The road journey from Tacoma to Seattle spans approximately 33 miles (53 kilometers), making it a short drive that typically requires 0.7 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Washington, United States with Washington, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Tacoma to Seattle follows the I-705 → I-5 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 76 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

✓
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 1 gallons (4 liters) of fuel for this 33 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 0.8 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
✓
Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$5
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$8
Total Trip Cost$13

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

0.7 hours

33 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.1 hours flight

41 km direct

🚌

By Bus

0.9 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Seattle

View all distances from Seattle →

Tacoma to Seattle - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Tacoma to Seattle?
The driving distance from Tacoma to Seattle is 33 miles (53 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-705 → I-5. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 41 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Tacoma to Seattle?
The drive from Tacoma to Seattle takes approximately 44m of continuous driving at an average speed of 76 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 0.8 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Tacoma to Seattle?
The fastest driving route from Tacoma to Seattle is 33 miles (53 km) via I-705 → I-5, taking about 44m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Tacoma to Seattle?
Yes — alongside the fastest route, a shorter alternative covers 32.89 miles (53 km) in about 47m. The shortest path saves 0.10999999999999943 miles but takes longer overall because it uses smaller roads.
Does the route from Tacoma to Seattle include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Tacoma to Seattle stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Tacoma to Seattle?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 1 gallons (4 liters) of fuel for the 33-mile (53-km) drive from Tacoma to Seattle. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $4 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Tacoma to Seattle?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Tacoma as the origin and Seattle as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.