Origin
Alderwood Manor, WA
Night in Alderwood Manor on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alderwood Manor, WA to Federal Way, WA
Drive Time
50m
Distance
37.9 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alderwood Manor, WA
Jan Simpson
Trip Overview
Spanning 37.9 miles, this straightforward trip from Alderwood Manor to Federal Way is a quick journey that typically takes about 50 minutes. Because the route is entirely contained within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $8 on fuel, making this an economical option for your travel plans. Since the drive is quite short, there is no need to split this into an overnight trip. It serves as a practical, highway-focused connection through the heart of the region, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently without the need for multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
18.9 miles from Alderwood Manor, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a high-speed experience, as 89% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a 33.8-mile stretch of uninterrupted travel. The road transitions from this major interstate artery onto Pacific Highway South and South 272nd Street as you approach your final destination. Because it is a highway-focused drive, you should prepare for a consistent, steady pace behind the wheel. It functions as a functional, no-nonsense path designed for getting you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Pacific Highway South. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 195th Place Southwest.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 37.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (195th Place Southwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (36th Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
195th Place Southwest
At end of road, turn right onto 195th Place Southwest
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
36th Avenue West
Turn left onto 36th Avenue West
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 South
7
34.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward South 272nd Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward South 272nd Street
6
34.8 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
South 272nd Street
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 33.8 mi | 42m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 36th Avenue West | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 195th Place Southwest | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 33.8 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alderwood Manor, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on this road
83 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto 195th Place Southwest
242 ft
·
18 sec
·
195th Place Southwest
3
Turn left onto 36th Avenue West
406 ft
·
10 sec
·
36th Avenue West
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 5 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
34 mi
·
42 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 147
Toward South 272nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 272nd Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto WA 99; WA 509
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pacific Highway South
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto South 312th Street
209 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 312th Street
10
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 50 minutes, you have significant flexibility in your departure timing. However, keep in mind that since the route relies heavily on I-5, traffic patterns in the Pacific Coast region will dictate your actual travel time. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the 37.9-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Make sure to check local traffic reports for the I-5 corridor before heading out to avoid peak congestion. A smart way to approach this trip is to keep your fuel tank topped off before you leave Alderwood Manor, ensuring you stay within your $8 budget without needing to hunt for gas stations along the way.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 18.9 miles from Alderwood Manor, WA, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 37.9 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.9 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
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 Alderwood Manor, 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 Alderwood Manor, WA
This is one driving day of about 37.9 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Alderwood Manor, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 33.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.9 mi from Alderwood Manor, WA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Alderwood Manor, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.95 one way
$15.91 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $8.31 | $16.61 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.61 | $17.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Night in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alderwood Manor, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 37.9 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Pacific Highway South, South 272nd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.9 miles from Alderwood Manor, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.95 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 37.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (195th Place Southwest): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.1 miles (36th Avenue West): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Alderwood Manor, WA to Federal Way, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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