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Trip from Federal Way, WA to Carnation, WA

Drive Time

1h 3m

Distance

41.3 mi

66 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

26 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 15 min
4 AM
0h 59m ★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Carnation, WA, WA

Carnation, WA

Townsend Walton

Trip Overview

The drive from Federal Way, WA to Carnation, WA covers 41.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 405, I 5, I 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.3 miles on I 405. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

20.6 miles from Federal Way, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Federal Way, WA to Carnation, WA covers 41.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 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 10.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 41.3 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 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
8
21.3 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane

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 11 Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane
8
28.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

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 17 Toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkwa...

Towns Along This Route

Between Federal Way, WA and Carnation, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue, Spokane, Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast and Sammamish.

Bellevue

10.5 mi in | ~15m

Spokane

21.3 mi in | ~29m

Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

28.6 mi in | ~39m

Sammamish

28.9 mi in | ~39m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 405 10.3 mi 12m
I 5 6.9 mi 8m
I 90 6.6 mi 8m
Northeast Tolt Hill Road 3.2 mi 7m
Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road 3 mi 5m
Pacific Highway South 2.5 mi 4m
Southeast Duthie Hill Road 2.2 mi 3m
Redmond Fall City Road Southeast 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 405 — 10.3 mi, about 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Carnation, 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: Seattle Use 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-B Toward WA 518 West, I 405 North: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Bellevue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 154B Toward I 405 North: Renton, Bellevue Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 405

10 mi · 12 min · I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 11 Toward I 90: Seattle, Spokane Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 90 East: Spokane Use the slight right lane.
12

Merge onto I 90

6.6 mi · 8 min · I 90
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 17 Toward Front Street, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

229 ft · 7 sec
Toward Sammamish, East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
15

Turn left onto Front Street North

0.1 mi · 34 sec · Front Street North
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Continue on East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast
17

Turn right onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
18

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

82 ft · 1 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
19

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.4 mi · 52 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
20

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

108 ft · 2 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
21

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
22

Enter roundabout onto Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

62 ft · 1 sec · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
23

Continue on Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Southeast Issaquah Fall City Road
24

Continue on Southeast Duthie Hill Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · Southeast Duthie Hill Road
25

Continue on 292nd Avenue Southeast

0.1 mi · 20 sec · 292nd Avenue Southeast
26

Turn left onto Redmond Fall City Road Southeast

1.5 mi · 2 min · Redmond Fall City Road Southeast
27

Continue on WA 202

1.1 mi · 1 min · Redmond Fall City Road Northeast
28

Turn slight right onto Northeast Tolt Hill Road

3.2 mi · 7 min · Northeast Tolt Hill Road
29

Turn left onto WA 203

0.8 mi · 1 min · Tolt Avenue
30

Turn right onto Entwistle Street

73 ft · 3 sec · Entwistle Street
31

Arrive at destination

Entwistle Street

Trip Plan

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 20.6 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.3 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 41.3 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 20.6 miles or 28m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carnation, 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 41.3 miles and 1h 3m.

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 405 for about 10.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.6 mi from Federal Way, WA · 28m into the drive

Downtown Redmond, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Redmond, WA

21 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

Redmond, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellevue, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.6 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Carnation, WA

The final approach into Carnation, 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 Carnation, WA.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 19.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.67 one way

$17.34 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $9.05 $18.10
premium $5.77 $9.38 $18.77
diesel $5.64 $9.18 $18.35

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Park Place Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Tukwila, WA

Tesla

16 DCFC

Southcenter Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Tukwila, WA

Tesla

16 DCFC

Center Plaza Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Federal Way, WA

Tesla

15 DCFC

The Outlet Collection - Tesla Supercharger

Auburn, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Fred Meyer - Tesla Supercharger

Auburn, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Celebration Center - Tesla Supercharger

Federal Way, WA

Tesla

12 DCFC

Safeway Auburn #0531

Auburn, WA

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Langston Landing

Kent, WA

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

Tesla: 6 ChargePoint Network: 6 Electrify America: 4 eVgo Network: 3 Non-Networked: 2 EV Connect: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 1 BP_PULSE: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.4 0 $4.34 $1.98
Efficient EV 10.3 0 $3.61 $1.65
EV Truck/SUV 16.5 0 $5.78 $2.64

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Federal Way, WA

Night in Federal Way on Sunday

Local time

11:40 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carnation, WA

Night in Carnation on Sunday

Local time

11:40 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

1h 3m 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 Carnation, WA covers 41.3 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 405, I 5, I 90. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.6 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 $8.67 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 demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 41.3 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.
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 Carnation, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue, Spokane, Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast and Sammamish.

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