This 40.4-mile drive from Federal Way, WA to Bothell East, WA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 56 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $8, it’s an economical option for a day trip. The primary roads you'll be navigating are I-405 and I-5, with a portion on Pacific Highway South. Given its short distance and efficient route, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entire duration of this route.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 40.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive that is predominantly on the interstate, with 82% of the journey taking place on major highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 26.2 miles along I-405, offering a consistent pace. While largely a highway-focused experience, you will also utilize sections of I-5 and Pacific Highway South. This route prioritizes efficient travel over scenic detours, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 405 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 40.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
10.5 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue
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 154A-B
Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma...
9
10.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 154B
Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue
6
30.2 mi into trip|~40m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
37.2 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward WA 527 North: Bothell, Mill Creek
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26
Toward WA 527 North: Bothell, Mill Creek
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 Bothell East, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue and Mill Creek.
Bellevue
10.5 mi in|~15m
Mill Creek
37.2 mi in|~49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 405
26.2 mi
32m
I 5
6.9 mi
8m
Pacific Highway South
2.5 mi
4m
Maltby Road
1.4 mi
2m
Bothell-Everett Highway
0.9 mi
1m
South 272nd Street
0.7 mi
1m
39th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi
<1m
209th Place Southeast
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 405
— 26.2 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Bothell East, 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
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: SeattleUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 5
6.9 mi·8 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
448 ft·10 sec
Exit 154A-BToward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BellevueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 154BToward I 405 North: Renton, BellevueUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 405
19 mi·24 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
6.9 mi·8 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 26Toward WA 527 North: Bothell, Mill CreekUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
340 ft·8 sec
Toward WA 527 North: Mill Creek
13
Turn straight onto WA 527
0.9 mi·1 min·Bothell-Everett Highway
14
Turn right onto WA 524
1.4 mi·2 min·Maltby Road
15
Turn right onto 39th Avenue Southeast
0.4 mi·53 sec·39th Avenue Southeast
16
Turn right onto 209th Place Southeast
0.2 mi·40 sec·209th Place Southeast
17
Turn left onto 37th Avenue Southeast
416 ft·18 sec·37th Avenue Southeast
18
Arrive at destination
37th Avenue Southeast
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.2 mi from Federal Way, WA
· 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 20.2 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bothell East, WA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Bothell East, WA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.46 one way
$16.91 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg14 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$8.87
$17.73
premium
$5.77
$9.17
$18.35
diesel
$5.61
$8.92
$17.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging
· 0 stops
· 64% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
12.1
0
$4.24
$1.94
Efficient EV
10.1
0
$3.53
$1.62
EV Truck/SUV
16.2
0
$5.66
$2.59
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Morning
in Federal Way on Friday
Local time
9:28 AM
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
Bothell East, WA
Morning
in Bothell East on Friday
Local time
9:28 AM
PDT
Current temp
42°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
7 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
56m 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 Bothell East, WA covers 40.4 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 405, I 5, 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 20.2 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 $8.46 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 is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 40.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Federal Way, WA and Bothell East, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue and Mill Creek.
