This 142.1-mile drive from Federal Way, WA to Barberton, WA is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5 and I-205, with a short segment on Pacific Highway South, the route is almost entirely highway driving at 97%. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, this journey offers a straightforward travel experience through the Pacific Coast region. It’s a practical option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stop. The single recommended stop makes planning simple.
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
71 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 142.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 142.1-mile route, with 97% of it on major interstates. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 133.7 miles on I-5, offering consistent speed and minimal traffic interruptions typical of this major corridor. While the bulk of the journey is on the interstate, there's a brief transition to Pacific Highway South, which might offer a slight change of pace before rejoining the main highway. This route is designed for efficient travel, with limited deviations from the fast-paced interstate environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 133.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 142.1 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
6
10.3 mi into trip|~15m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 32
Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen Road
6
141.1 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|Northeast Padden Parkway
Turn right onto Northeast Padden Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
133.7 mi
2h 31m
I 205
4.2 mi
5m
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi
3m
16th Avenue South
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast Andresen Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Northeast 72nd Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Northeast Padden Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
State Route 18
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 133.7 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Barberton, WA.
1
Start on this road
24 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
158 ft·5 sec·South 312th Street
3
Turn left onto WA 99
1.8 mi·3 min·Pacific Highway South
4
Turn left onto 16th Avenue South
0.5 mi·1 min·16th Avenue South
5
Turn left onto WA 18
497 ft·13 sec·State Route 18
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
8
Merge onto I 5
7.5 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
4.2 mi·5 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 32Toward Padden Parkway, Northeast Andresen RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Northeast Padden Parkway
0.2 mi·22 sec·Northeast Padden Parkway
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto Northeast Andresen Road
0.5 mi·50 sec·Northeast Andresen Road
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on Northeast 72nd Avenue
0.3 mi·34 sec·Northeast 72nd Avenue
15
Turn right onto Northeast 99th Street
86 ft·2 sec·Northeast 99th Street
16
Arrive at destination
Northeast 99th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 46-minute duration, consider departing Federal Way in the morning to maximize your day in Barberton. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, this route is quite efficient. Plan your single stop strategically along the longest stretch on I-5, which covers 133.7 miles, to refuel or stretch your legs. The high highway share means you’ll be on fast-moving roads, so be mindful of speed limits and traffic patterns typical of I-5. Arriving early can give you more flexibility throughout your day.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.7 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 31 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71 miles or 1h 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 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barberton, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Federal Way, 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 Federal Way, WA
This is one driving day of about 142.1 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Federal Way, 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 5 for about 133.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71 mi from Federal Way, WA
· 1h 24m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.74 one way
$59.48 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$31.19
$62.38
premium
$5.77
$32.27
$64.54
diesel
$5.61
$31.37
$62.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.6
0
$14.92
$6.82
Efficient EV
35.5
0
$12.43
$5.68
EV Truck/SUV
56.8
0
$19.89
$9.09
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Federal Way, WA
Afternoon
in Federal Way on Friday
Local time
1:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Rain
SSW 16 mph94% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 4:28PM PDT until April 14 at 7:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 4:28PM PDT until April 14 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Seattle WA
Destination
Barberton, WA
Afternoon
in Barberton on Friday
Local time
1:07 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Federal Way, WA to Barberton, WA covers 142.1 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 205, Pacific Highway South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71 miles from Federal Way, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.74 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.
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 12 significant decision points across 142.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Federal Way, WA to Barberton, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
