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Create accountDrive Time
49m
Distance
36 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bothell, WA
nicholas hatherly
Stretching 36 miles between Federal Way and Bothell, this straightforward trip across the Pacific Coast region typically takes about 49 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to cover the distance, making it a very economical drive. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, it is designed for efficiency rather than leisure. Whether you are commuting or heading to the North End, this trip is best viewed as a practical connection between two key points in Washington state.
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
18 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of your travel occurs on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-405, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 22.3 miles. The drive also incorporates segments of I-5 and Pacific Highway South to bridge the gap between your starting point and destination. While the transit is fast, the personality of the road is strictly utilitarian, characterized by the steady pace of regional interstate traffic. You will find that the transitions between these main arteries are seamless, keeping your momentum consistent throughout the 49-minute duration.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
817 ft
Total Descent
1,205 ft
Highest Point
465 ft
Elevation Range
428 ft
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 36 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 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I-5 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WA 522: Bothell, Woodinville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Federal Way, WA and Bothell, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue and Woodinville.
Bellevue
Woodinville
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 22.3 mi | 27m |
| I 5 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| WA 522 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 101st Avenue Northeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Bothell, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Turn right onto WA 99
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto WA 522
Turn right onto 101st Avenue Northeast
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the heavy reliance on I-405 and I-5, try to plan your departure outside of peak congestion hours to maintain the estimated 49-minute travel time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops since the trip is short enough to drive in one go, offering you maximum flexibility for your schedule. Keep a close eye on real-time traffic updates, as the high concentration of highway miles means that accidents or construction can quickly impact your pace. If you are fueling up before you head out, $8 should be sufficient to cover the 36-mile journey. Your best strategy is to stay focused on the interstate flow, as the route requires frequent merging and lane adjustments.
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.
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 36 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bothell, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 36 miles and 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18 mi from Federal Way, WA · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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.
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 18 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bothell, 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 Bothell, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.56 one way
$15.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $7.89 | $15.78 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.18 | $16.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.00 | $16.00 |
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: 12.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.15 | $1.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.04 | $2.30 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 10:35AM PDT until April 12 at 8:28PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Evening in Bothell on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
PDT
Current temp
54°F
Chance Light Rain
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 10:35AM PDT until April 12 at 8:28PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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