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Trip from Airway Heights, WA to Federal Way, WA

Drive Time

5h 17m

Distance

281.3 mi

453 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

36 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 5m ★
6 AM
5h 18m
8 AM
5h 45m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 25m
3 PM
5h 29m
5 PM
5h 44m
8 PM
5h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Airway Heights, WA, WA

Airway Heights, WA

JOHN CALLERY

Trip Overview

The drive from Airway Heights, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 281.3 miles and takes about 5h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, State Route 18, South Hayford Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 246.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.04 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

140.6 miles from Airway Heights, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 17m highway drive covering 281.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Route 18. The longest continuous stretch is about 246.4 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 246.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 251.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 281.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
251.9 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in

Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
252.2 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left / right lanes. Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
7
276.8 mi into trip | ~5h 8m in

Take the exit toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup
9
277 mi into trip | ~5h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley High...
8
277.3 mi into trip | ~5h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward West Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward West Valley Highway

Towns Along This Route

Between Airway Heights, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

252.2 mi in | ~4h 37m

Tacoma

252.2 mi in | ~4h 37m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 246.4 mi 4h 26m
State Route 18 24.2 mi 31m
South Hayford Road 3.4 mi 5m
South Peasley Canyon Road 1.8 mi 3m
West Sunset Highway 1.5 mi 2m
South 320th Street 1.4 mi 3m
Pacific Highway South 0.5 mi <1m
Snoqualmie Parkway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 246.4 mi, about 4h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Airway Heights, WA and Federal Way, WA.

1

Start on West 12th Avenue

42 ft · 6 sec · West 12th Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Lundstrom Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · South Lundstrom Street
3

Turn left onto US 2

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Sunset Highway
4

Enter roundabout onto West Sunset Highway

95 ft · 1 sec · West Sunset Highway
5

Continue on West Sunset Highway

0.5 mi · 53 sec · West Sunset Highway
6

Turn right onto South Hayford Road

3.4 mi · 5 min · South Hayford Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn right onto West Geiger Boulevard

0.2 mi · 16 sec · West Geiger Boulevard
8

Enter roundabout onto West Aero Road

204 ft · 4 sec · West Aero Road
9

Continue on West Aero Road

455 ft · 9 sec · West Aero Road
10

Enter roundabout

18 ft · 0 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
11

Continue

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 90 West: Seattle
12

Merge onto I 90; US 395

51 mi · 54 min · I 90; US 395
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

195 mi · 3 hr 31 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Merge onto WA 18

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
17

Continue on WA 18

24 mi · 31 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup Use the slight right lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward West Valley Highway Use the straight / right lanes.
21

At end of road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

67 ft · 1 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road
24

Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
25

Continue on South 320th Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street
26

Turn right onto WA 99

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South
27

Turn right onto South 312th Street

158 ft · 5 sec · South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
28

Turn right

24 ft · 1 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.6 miles from Airway Heights, WA, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.4 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 140.6 miles or 2h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Federal Way, WA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Airway Heights, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Airway Heights, WA

This is one driving day of about 281.3 miles and 5h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Airway Heights, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 246.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 140.6 mi from Airway Heights, WA · 2h 36m into the drive

Downtown Monroe, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monroe, WA

141 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Monroe, WA to Federal Way, WA

50.5 mi · 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Waterville, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 140.6 miles from Airway Heights, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.4 miles.

Arriving in Federal Way, WA

The final approach into Federal Way, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Federal Way, WA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 281.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$59.04 one way

$118.08 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $61.65 $123.31
premium $5.77 $63.91 $127.83
diesel $5.64 $62.50 $124.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

36 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

North Bend Premium Outlets - Tesla Supercharger

North Bend, WA

Tesla

24 DCFC

Fred Meyer - Tesla Supercharger

Ellensburg, WA

Tesla

16 DCFC

Lep Re Kon Harvest Foods - Tesla Supercharger

Moses Lake, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Mictrotel Inn & Suites - Tesla Supercharger

George, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

SureStay Hotel by Best Western - Tesla Supercharger

Ellensburg, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Cle Elum Business Park - Tesla Supercharger

Cle Elum, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

TA Petro - Tesla Supercharger

Spokane, WA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Big B Truck Stop - Tesla Supercharger

Sprague, WA

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 14 OpConnect: 5 Electrify America: 3 eVgo Network: 3 FLO: 2 ChargePoint Network: 2 EVCS: 2 CHARGELAB: 1 EV Connect: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 84.4 1 $29.54 $13.50
Efficient EV 70.3 0 $24.61 $11.25
EV Truck/SUV 112.5 1 $39.38 $18.00

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 hour ago

Origin

Airway Heights, WA

Morning in Airway Heights on Monday

Local time

11:11 AM

PDT

Current temp

31°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Federal Way, WA

Morning in Federal Way on Monday

Local time

11:11 AM

PDT

Current temp

55°F

Chance Light Rain

SW 10 mph 41% chance Live forecast

Along the Route

52°F

Monroe, WA

141 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

24 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 17m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Airway Heights, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 281.3 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, South Hayford Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 140.6 miles from Airway Heights, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 281.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 276.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Airway Heights, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

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