Origin
Boulevard Park, WA
Night in Boulevard Park on Sunday
Local time
9:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
23m
Distance
15.1 mi
24 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boulevard Park, WA
Bhaskar Barman
Spanning just 15.1 miles, this quick trip from Boulevard Park to Federal Way is a straightforward journey through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. You can expect a drive time of approximately 23 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a one-day excursion. With a fuel budget of roughly $3, this is an incredibly economical route that won't strain your wallet. Navigating primarily via I-5, Pacific Highway South, and WA 518, you will find the transition between these two communities seamless. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a local visit, this route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these points. Because of the short duration, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay, allowing you total flexibility for your day.
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
7.5 miles from Boulevard Park, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
This 15.1-mile path features a mixed-drive profile that balances highway speed with local road navigation. Approximately 59 percent of your time will be spent on highways, providing a consistent flow for the majority of the trip. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 6.5 miles while cruising on I-5, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition from the interstate onto Pacific Highway South and WA 518, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed transit to a more localized experience. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes directness over scenic detours, ensuring you reach Federal Way without unnecessary complications.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 128th Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 15.1 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 0.1 miles (South 128th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Des Moines Memorial Drive South): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South 128th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Des Moines Memorial Drive South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward South 272nd Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Boulevard Park, WA to Federal Way, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Portland along the way.
Portland
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| WA 518 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Des Moines Memorial Drive South | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 128th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 14th Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Boulevard Park, WA and Federal Way, WA.
Start on 14th Avenue South
Turn left onto South 128th Street
Turn right onto Des Moines Memorial Drive South
Take the ramp
Merge onto WA 518
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Turn left onto WA 99; WA 509
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 23-minute drive, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever it suits your schedule without needing to worry about long-distance pacing. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops required, you can easily complete the entire 15.1-mile journey in a single push. To make the most of your travel, monitor traffic conditions on I-5 before you head out, as this is your longest stretch of road. Even though the fuel cost is a modest $3, ensure your tank is ready for the trip before leaving Boulevard Park to avoid unnecessary errands. Staying flexible with your timing is the best way to handle this route, as the short distance allows you to easily adapt to any mid-day traffic fluctuations.
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.
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 15.1 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.5 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Federal Way, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Boulevard Park, 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 Boulevard Park, WA
This is one driving day of about 15.1 miles and 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.5 mi from Boulevard Park, WA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$3.17 one way
$6.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $3.31 | $6.62 |
| premium | $5.77 | $3.43 | $6.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.35 | $6.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.59 | $0.72 |
| Efficient EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6 | 0 | $2.11 | $0.97 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Boulevard Park on Sunday
Local time
9:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
9:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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