Origin
Federal Way, WA
Evening in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
7:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Federal Way, WA to Colfax, WA
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
275.5 mi
443 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 38m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colfax, WA
Abraham Castro
Trip Overview
Traveling from Federal Way to Colfax covers 275.5 miles, typically taking about 5 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will rely primarily on I-90, WA 26, and State Route 18 to navigate across the state. Budgeting approximately $58 for fuel will cover your transit needs for the trip. While both cities are located within the Pacific Coast region, the route transitions you away from the coastal influence toward the interior of Washington. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is best suited for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
137.8 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its high-speed transit, with 98% of the route consisting of highway driving. You will spend much of your time on major corridors, but the drive finds its rhythm on WA 26, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 133.3 miles. Expect a transition from the busy interchanges near Federal Way to the more consistent pace of the state highways. The personality of this route is steady and utilitarian rather than technical or winding. Staying focused is key during the long, open highway segments that characterize the bulk of your time behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 26 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 26 and I 90. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 312th Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 275.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (West Valley Highway North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 312th Street
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Navigation decision point
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
West Valley Highway North
Turn left onto West Valley Highway North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
3.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North Bend
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North...
8
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward WA 18 East
5
4.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Federal Way, WA to Colfax, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
Pullman
141.3 mi in
|
~2h 44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| WA 26 | 133.3 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 90 | 111.9 mi | 2h 2m |
| State Route 18 | 24.4 mi | 31m |
| South Peasley Canyon Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South 320th Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Pacific Highway South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
WA 26
— 133.3 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Colfax, WA.
1
Start on this road
24 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
158 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 312th Street
3
Turn left onto WA 99
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Highway South
4
Turn left onto South 320th Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South 320th Street
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the none lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
95 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Peasley Canyon Road
7
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Peasley Canyon Road
8
Turn left onto West Valley Highway North
334 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Valley Highway North
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North Bend
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward WA 18 East
Use the none lane.
11
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi
·
31 min
·
State Route 18
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on WA 18
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Snoqualmie Parkway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 90 East: Spokane
14
Merge onto I 90
112 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward WA 26 East: Othello, Pullman
16
Turn straight onto WA 26
133 mi
·
2 hr 50 min
·
WA 26
17
Continue on WA 26
415 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Walla Walla Highway
18
Merge onto US 195
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn left onto East Spring Street
139 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Spring Street
20
Turn right
257 ft
·
18 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning for this 275.5-mile journey is simple given the single recommended stop to break up the drive. Since you are looking at nearly six hours of road time, departing early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the initial highway segments. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels before hitting the 133.3-mile stretch on WA 26, as service intervals may vary in these sections. Having the flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your pace based on traffic flow or fatigue. Prioritize a mid-route break to stretch your legs, as the highway-heavy nature of this route requires sustained attention.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.8 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.3 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.8 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colfax, 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 275.5 miles and 5h 37m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on WA 26 for about 133.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.8 mi from Federal Way, WA · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.8 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before WA 26 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.3 miles.
Arriving in Colfax, WA
The final approach into Colfax, 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 Colfax, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.82 one way
$115.64 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $60.38 | $120.76 |
| premium | $5.77 | $62.59 | $125.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.21 | $122.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.6 | 1 | $28.93 | $13.22 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.11 | $11.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.2 | 1 | $38.57 | $17.63 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Colfax, WA
Evening in Colfax on Sunday
Local time
7:17 PM
PDT
Current temp
33°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
5 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
5h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Colfax, WA covers 275.5 miles and takes about 5h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 26, I 90, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 137.8 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 $57.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 275.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (West Valley Highway North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Federal Way, WA to Colfax, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Pullman along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Colfax, WA
More trips to Colfax, WA
Explore more options from Federal Way, WA or browse trips ending in Colfax, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
Explore maps for Federal Way, WA or Colfax, WA on MapSof.net.