Trip from Colfax, WA to Federal Way, WA

Drive Time

5h 38m

Distance

276.1 mi

444 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 25m ★

6 AM

5h 38m

8 AM

6h 5m

10 AM

5h 48m

12 PM

5h 45m

3 PM

5h 49m

5 PM

6h 4m

8 PM

5h 30m

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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Colfax, WA

Abraham Castro

Trip Overview

Traveling from Colfax to Federal Way covers 276.1 miles across the state of Washington. You should budget approximately 5 hours and 38 minutes of drive time, making this a manageable journey to complete in a single day. The route primarily relies on WA 26, I-90, and State Route 18 to bridge the distance. With a projected fuel cost of $58, it is an efficient way to cross the region. Since the entire trip stays within the Pacific Coast state of Washington, you will experience a consistent transition from the inland areas toward the coast. Planning for one scheduled stop will help you maintain your energy levels throughout the drive.

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

138.1 miles from Colfax, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive keeps you on major thoroughfares for 96% of the trip, ensuring a steady pace. You will tackle a significant 129.3-mile stretch on WA 26, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your journey. Expect the road personality to shift as you move from the initial highway segments onto the busier interstate sections. The mix of open stretches and transition roads like State Route 18 keeps the driving experience varied. By staying on these primary routes, you can count on predictable conditions for the vast majority of your 276.1-mile trek.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

WA 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 246.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 276.1 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 246.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 247 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.6 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 points

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

246.8 mi into trip | ~4h 57m 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

247 mi into trip | ~4h 57m 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,...

271.6 mi into trip | ~5h 29m 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

271.8 mi into trip | ~5h 29m 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...

272.1 mi into trip | ~5h 30m 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 Colfax, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

247 mi in | ~4h 57m

Tacoma

247 mi in | ~4h 57m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
WA 26	129.3 mi	2h 44m
I 90	112.3 mi	2h 2m
State Route 18	24.2 mi	31m
Colfax Airport Road	3 mi	4m
South Peasley Canyon Road	1.8 mi	3m
South 320th Street	1.4 mi	3m
West Fairview Street	0.6 mi	1m
South Main Street	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: WA 26 — 129.3 mi, about 2h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

98 ft · 9 sec · this road

Turn right onto WA 272

138 ft · 12 sec · East Canyon Street

Turn left onto US 195

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Continue on South Main Street

0.2 mi · 24 sec · South Main Street

Turn right onto West Fairview Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Fairview Street

Continue on West Almota Road

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Almota Road

Turn right onto Colfax Airport Road

3.0 mi · 4 min · Colfax Airport Road

Turn left onto WA 26

129 mi · 2 hr 44 min · WA 26

Continue on this road

0.7 mi · 1 min · this road

Toward I 90 West: Seattle

Merge onto I 90

112 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 90

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 13 sec

Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Merge onto WA 18

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

Continue on WA 18

24 mi · 31 min · State Route 18

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec

Toward West Valley Highway Use the straight / right lanes.

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

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

67 ft · 1 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road

Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on South 320th Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto WA 99

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

Turn right onto South 312th Street

158 ft · 5 sec · South 312th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right

24 ft · 1 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To keep your drive comfortable, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion on the busier highway sections. Since the trip takes nearly six hours, plan for at least one substantial break to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the longer stretches, as WA 26 offers fewer service options than the I-90 corridor. Because this is a single-day trip, your primary advantage is flexibility; you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate road conditions or traffic. A concrete tip for this route is to monitor your speed closely when transitioning from the open stretches of WA 26 to the heavier traffic patterns near Federal Way.

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 138.1 miles from Colfax, WA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.3 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.1 miles or 2h 58m 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 34m

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 Colfax, 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 Colfax, WA

This is one driving day of about 276.1 miles and 5h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colfax, 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 26 for about 129.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 138.1 mi from Colfax, WA · 2h 58m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

138 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

College Place, 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 138.1 miles from Colfax, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before WA 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.3 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

$57.95 one way

$115.90 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.57	$60.51	$121.03
premium	$5.77	$62.73	$125.46
diesel	$5.64	$61.34	$122.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	82.8	1	$28.99	$13.25
Efficient EV	69	0	$24.16	$11.04
EV Truck/SUV	110.4	1	$38.65	$17.67

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Colfax, WA

Evening in Colfax on Sunday

Local time

7:14 PM

PDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Federal Way, WA

Evening in Federal Way on Sunday

Local time

7:14 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

5 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 38m 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 Colfax, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 276.1 miles and takes about 5h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are WA 26, I 90, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 138.1 miles from Colfax, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.95 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.

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

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Return Trip

Federal Way, WA to Colfax, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

275.5 mi 5h 37m

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Trip from Colfax, WA to Federal Way, WA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Federal Way, WA

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colfax, WA

Federal Way, WA

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 38m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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