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Trip from Federal Way, WA to Belfair, WA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 4m

Distance

45 mi

72 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 15 min
4 AM
1h 0m ★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 9m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Belfair, WA, WA

Belfair, WA

Boko Shots

Trip Overview

This straightforward 45-mile drive from Federal Way, WA to Belfair, WA takes approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes and is perfectly suited for a day trip. Primarily utilizing WA 16 and I-5, with a brief segment on Southwest Lake Flora Road, this route offers a convenient connection between the Pacific Coast regions of Washington. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, this short journey is budget-friendly. The highway-focused profile means you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning. It's an easy excursion with no overnight stays required.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 45 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for about 68% of this 45-mile trip. You'll navigate stretches of I-5 and WA 16, offering consistent speeds for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.4 miles on WA 16, allowing for a good period of steady driving. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of Southwest Lake Flora Road suggests a potential shift to more local road conditions as you approach your destination. This mix provides a balanced driving experience, transitioning from open highway to potentially more winding routes.

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 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 19.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 16 and I 5. 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 Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 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
8
11.6 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton

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 132B Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
12.2 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
6
32.1 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward Mullenix Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Mullenix Road
7
42.5 mi into trip | ~1h in | WA 3 / State Highway 3 Southwest

At end of road, turn left onto WA 3 / State Highway 3 Southwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Federal Way, WA and Belfair, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.

Tacoma

2.4 mi in | ~5m

Bremerton

11.6 mi in | ~17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
WA 16 19.4 mi 24m
I 5 8.8 mi 10m
Southwest Lake Flora Road 6.5 mi 9m
Northeast State Route 3 1.9 mi 3m
Pacific Highway South 1.8 mi 3m
Bethel Burley Road Southeast 1 mi 1m
Southeast Lider Road 1 mi 1m
Southwest Lider Road 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: WA 16 — 19.4 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Belfair, 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, Tacoma Use 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

1.3 mi · 1 min · I 5
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 132B Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto WA 16

19 mi · 24 min · WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 49 sec
Toward Mullenix Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto Southeast Mullenix Road

0.4 mi · 45 sec · Southeast Mullenix Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
15

At end of road, turn right onto Bethel Burley Road Southeast

1.0 mi · 1 min · Bethel Burley Road Southeast
16

Turn left onto Southeast Lider Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southeast Lider Road
17

Continue on Southwest Lider Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Southwest Lider Road
18

At end of road, turn left onto Glenwood Road Southwest

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Glenwood Road Southwest
Use the left lane.
19

Turn straight onto Southwest Lake Flora Road

2.9 mi · 4 min · Southwest Lake Flora Road
20

Enter roundabout onto Southwest Lake Flora Road

25 ft · 0 sec · Southwest Lake Flora Road
21

Continue on Southwest Lake Flora Road

3.6 mi · 5 min · Southwest Lake Flora Road
22

At end of road, turn left onto WA 3

0.6 mi · 52 sec · State Highway 3 Southwest
Use the left lane.
23

Continue on WA 3

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Northeast State Route 3
24

Enter roundabout onto WA 3

123 ft · 1 sec · Northeast State Route 3
25

Continue on WA 3

1.6 mi · 2 min · Northeast State Route 3
26

Arrive at destination

WA 3

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.5 mi from Federal Way, WA · 31m into the drive

city in Pierce County, Washington, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Gig Harbor, WA

23 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

Tacoma, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gig Harbor, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.5 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Belfair, WA

The final approach into Belfair, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.42 one way

$18.84 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.58 $9.88 $19.75
premium $5.77 $10.22 $20.44
diesel $5.61 $9.94 $19.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$9

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 13.5 0 $4.73 $2.16
Efficient EV 11.3 0 $3.94 $1.80
EV Truck/SUV 18 0 $6.30 $2.88

Gas CO2

16 kg

EV CO2

5 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Federal Way, WA

Morning in Federal Way on Friday

Local time

6:06 AM

PDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Belfair, WA

Morning in Belfair on Friday

Local time

6:06 AM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

6 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

1h 4m 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 Federal Way, WA to Belfair, WA covers 45 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are WA 16, I 5, Southwest Lake Flora Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 22.5 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 $9.42 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 45 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Between Federal Way, WA and Belfair, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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