Origin
Cascade Valley, WA
Late night in Cascade Valley on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cascade Valley, WA to Federal Way, WA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
185.9 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cascade Valley, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
This 185.9-mile drive from Cascade Valley, WA, to Federal Way, WA, is perfectly suited for a single day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing WA 171 and State Route 18, with a brief section on East Broadway Avenue, this route is heavily focused on highway travel at 94%. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it's an economical option for exploring within the Pacific Coast region. The drive is straightforward, making it an accessible journey for most travelers looking for a direct connection between these two Washington locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.9 miles from Cascade Valley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 185.9-mile journey. With 94% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on WA 171, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch at 150.3 miles. This suggests a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. State Route 18 and East Broadway Avenue will offer some variation, but the overall character remains that of efficient road travel, designed for covering distance smoothly. This route prioritizes getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 171 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 171 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 156.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 185.9 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 156.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
156.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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
156.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
181.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
181.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
181.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cascade Valley, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
156.7 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Tacoma
156.7 mi in
|
~2h 56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 171 | 150.3 mi | 2h 43m |
| State Route 18 | 24.2 mi | 31m |
| East Broadway Avenue | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| West Valley Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South Peasley Canyon Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South 320th Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Valley Road Northeast | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Pacific Highway South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 171
— 150.3 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cascade Valley, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on Arrow Street Northeast
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Arrow Street Northeast
2
Turn right onto Clink Road Northeast
360 ft
·
19 sec
·
Clink Road Northeast
3
Turn left onto Valley Road Northeast
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Valley Road Northeast
4
Continue on West Valley Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
West Valley Road
5
Turn right onto North Stratford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Stratford Road
6
Turn right onto WA 171; I 90 Bus; US 10 Hist
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Broadway Avenue
7
Take the ramp onto WA 171; I 90 Bus
150 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
WA 171; I 90 Bus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 25
Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft
·
13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
11
Continue on WA 18
24 mi
·
31 min
·
State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Toward West Valley Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Valley Highway North
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Peasley Canyon Road
18
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on South 320th Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South 320th Street
20
Turn right onto WA 99
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Pacific Highway South
21
Turn right onto South 312th Street
158 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 37-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable as a day excursion from Cascade Valley to Federal Way. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and take advantage of potentially lighter traffic on the highway sections. While the longest stretch on WA 171 is over 150 miles, it's wise to plan for at least one stop for fuel and a break, especially given the 94% highway profile. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be more spaced out during those longer highway segments.
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 92.9 miles from Cascade Valley, WA, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.9 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
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 Cascade Valley, 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 Cascade Valley, WA
This is one driving day of about 185.9 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cascade Valley, 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 WA 171 for about 150.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.9 mi from Cascade Valley, WA · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Cascade Valley, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WA 171 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.3 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.91 one way
$77.81 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $40.80 | $81.61 |
| premium | $5.77 | $42.22 | $84.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.04 | $82.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Late night in Federal Way on Wednesday
Local time
5:12 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Monroe, WA
93 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
11 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
3h 37m 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 Cascade Valley, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 185.9 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 171, State Route 18, East Broadway Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.9 miles from Cascade Valley, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.91 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 185.9 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 156.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cascade Valley, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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