Origin
Federal Way, WA
Evening in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
7:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Federal Way, WA to Alderwood Manor, WA
Drive Time
52m
Distance
38.5 mi
62 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alderwood Manor, WA
Jan Simpson
Trip Overview
Traveling from Federal Way to Alderwood Manor covers a distance of 38.5 miles, typically taking about 52 minutes of driving time. This route is designed as a straightforward, one-day trip that requires no overnight stops to complete comfortably. With a fuel budget of approximately $8, it remains an economical journey for those moving between these two Pacific Coast locations. You will primarily navigate via I-5, with additional segments on Pacific Highway South and South 272nd Street. Because this is a relatively short commute within Washington, you have the flexibility to plan your departure based on your personal schedule rather than needing to worry about long-haul logistics.
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
19.2 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 88% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a 33.9-mile stretch of the drive. The road maintains a consistent pace, shifting from local streets like South 272nd Street onto the high-speed interstate to bridge the gap between your origin and destination. While the drive is efficient, you should be prepared for the typical rhythm of interstate travel. It is a utilitarian route that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, technical backroads, making it a reliable choice for getting from point A to point B quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 33.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Pacific Highway South. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 99 / Pacific Highway South.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 38.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (WA 99 / Pacific Highway South): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 37.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 99 / Pacific Highway South
Turn right onto WA 99 / Pacific Highway South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I-5 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-5 North: Seattle
7
37.6 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward WA 524: 196th Street Southwest
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 181B
Toward WA 524: 196th Street Southwest
8
38.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
WA 524 / 196th Street Southwest
At end of road, turn left onto WA 524 / 196th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
38.3 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
36th Avenue West
Turn right onto 36th Avenue West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 33.9 mi | 42m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 196th Street Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Poplar Way | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 36th Avenue West | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 33.9 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Alderwood Manor, WA.
1
Start on this road
24 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
158 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 312th Street
3
Turn right onto WA 99
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pacific Highway South
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 272nd Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I-5 North: Seattle
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 5
34 mi
·
42 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 181B
Toward WA 524: 196th Street Southwest
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto Poplar Way
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Poplar Way
Use the left lane.
9
At end of road, turn left onto WA 524
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
196th Street Southwest
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto 36th Avenue West
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
36th Avenue West
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right
153 ft
·
12 sec
12
At end of road, turn right
59 ft
·
4 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 52-minute journey, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops or food breaks, as the trip is short enough to complete in a single, uninterrupted stretch. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $8, so fill up before you leave to ensure a stress-free departure. Because the route relies so heavily on I-5, check traffic reports before heading out to avoid potential congestion on this major artery. Your best bet is to plan your departure during off-peak hours to take full advantage of the highway-focused design and maintain your expected arrival time.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.2 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 38.5 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.2 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alderwood Manor, 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 38.5 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Federal Way, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.2 mi from Federal Way, WA · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.2 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Alderwood Manor, WA
The final approach into Alderwood Manor, 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 Alderwood Manor, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.08 one way
$16.16 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $8.44 | $16.88 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.75 | $17.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.55 | $17.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 62% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.04 | $1.85 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.37 | $1.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.39 | $2.46 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (62% 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
Alderwood Manor, WA
Evening in Alderwood Manor on Sunday
Local time
7:43 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
52m 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 Alderwood Manor, WA covers 38.5 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Pacific Highway South, South 272nd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.2 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 $8.08 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 38.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (WA 99 / Pacific Highway South): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 37.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Federal Way, WA to Alderwood Manor, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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