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 Brier, WA
Drive Time
53m
Distance
37.7 mi
61 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 50m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brier, WA
Harrison Reilly
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Federal Way to Brier, you are looking at a straightforward 37.7-mile journey across the Pacific Coast region. Expect to spend about 53 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $8, the route is highly economical and efficient. You will primarily navigate the corridor via I-5, Pacific Highway South, and 236th Street Southwest. Given the short duration, this drive is ideal for travelers who value practicality over a leisurely pace, allowing you to reach your destination quickly without the need for multiple stops.
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
18.8 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant, uninterrupted 30.7-mile stretch on I-5, which defines the bulk of the experience. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm as you transition from the interstate onto local roads like 236th Street Southwest. While the initial leg feels like a standard freeway commute, the character shifts slightly as you exit the highway system to reach your final destination. It is a functional, no-nonsense route designed to move you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
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 30.7 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 10 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 37.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
8
34.4 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward 236th Street Southwest, Mountlake Terrace
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 178
Toward 236th Street Southwest, Mountlake Terrac...
6
34.7 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
236th Street Southwest
Turn right onto 236th Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
35.8 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
Cedar Way
Turn left onto Cedar Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Federal Way, WA and Brier, WA, road signs point toward 236Th Street Southwest and Mountlake Terrace.
236Th Street Southwest
34.4 mi in
|
~45m
Mountlake Terrace
34.4 mi in
|
~45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 30.7 mi | 38m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| 236th Street Southwest | 1.1 mi | 3m |
| 228th Street Southwest | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Brier Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Way | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 44th Avenue West | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 30.7 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Brier, 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
31 mi
·
38 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 178
Toward 236th Street Southwest, Mountlake Terrace
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto 236th Street Southwest
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
236th Street Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto Cedar Way
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Cedar Way
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on 44th Avenue West
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
44th Avenue West
11
Turn right onto 228th Street Southwest
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
228th Street Southwest
Use the none lane.
12
Turn right onto Brier Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Brier Road
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Brier Road
Trip Plan
Because this route relies heavily on I-5, your biggest challenge will be navigating peak traffic hours, so planning your departure to avoid the morning or evening rush is wise. Since the trip takes less than an hour, you have the flexibility to drive it straight through without needing any planned rest stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, as your $8 budget assumes a direct, efficient path. Take advantage of the short travel time to remain flexible with your schedule, as you won't need to account for long transit delays. Use the 30.7-mile interstate stretch to maintain a steady pace, as this is where you will make the most progress toward Brier.
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 18.8 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.7 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 37.7 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.8 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brier, 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 37.7 miles and 53m.
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 30.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.8 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 37.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.8 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Brier, WA
The final approach into Brier, 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 Brier, 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
$7.91 one way
$15.83 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $8.26 | $16.53 |
| premium | $5.77 | $8.57 | $17.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.38 | $16.75 |
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: 13.2 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 | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
| Efficient EV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.28 | $2.41 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Brier, WA
Evening in Brier 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
53m 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 Brier, WA covers 37.7 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Pacific Highway South, 236th Street Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.8 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 $7.91 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 37.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Federal Way, WA and Brier, WA, road signs point toward 236Th Street Southwest and Mountlake Terrace.
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