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 Ephrata, WA
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
175.6 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ephrata, WA
Ahmad Shaufi
Trip Overview
Traveling from Federal Way to Ephrata covers 175.6 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $37 for fuel will cover the journey, though your actual costs may vary based on your vehicle's efficiency. You will transition from the coastal region of Washington toward the interior, navigating a path that relies heavily on major thoroughfares. This is a straightforward, practical drive that prioritizes efficiency over complexity, making it a reliable choice if you are looking to get from point A to point B without unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.8 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 97% of this drive takes place on highways. You will begin by navigating State Route 18 before merging onto the main artery of I-90, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 125.5 miles. As you progress, the road environment shifts from the more populated western corridors to the highway-heavy landscape leading toward the final approach on WA 283. The experience is primarily an interstate grind, offering a consistent rhythm that requires steady focus rather than technical maneuvering. You will spend the vast majority of your time at highway cruising speeds, providing a predictable and efficient driving experience from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 125.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. You will hit about 11 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 175.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 11 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 Ephrata, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Soap Lake along the way.
Soap Lake
154.9 mi in
|
~2h 58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 125.5 mi | 2h 16m |
| State Route 18 | 24.4 mi | 31m |
| WA 283 | 20.1 mi | 27m |
| South Peasley Canyon Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South 320th Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Pacific Highway South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Burke Spur | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Snoqualmie Parkway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 125.5 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Ephrata, 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
126 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
I 90
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
16
Continue on WA 281 Spur
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Burke Spur
17
Turn right onto WA 283
20 mi
·
27 min
·
WA 283
18
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
43 ft
·
0 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
19
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue Southwest
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 27-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the transition between major roads. Leaving early in the day is recommended to avoid heavy traffic congestion, especially when exiting the Federal Way area. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-90, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting that 125.5-mile stretch, as it is the longest segment without a break. While the route is manageable in one go, having the flexibility to stop once allows you to maintain better focus behind the wheel. Use your single planned stop to check your remaining route details on WA 283 to ensure a smooth arrival in Ephrata.
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 87.8 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.5 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 87.8 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ephrata, 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 175.6 miles and 3h 27m.
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 I 90 for about 125.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.8 mi from Federal Way, WA · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 87.8 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 I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.5 miles.
Arriving in Ephrata, WA
The final approach into Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, 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
$36.86 one way
$73.71 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $38.49 | $76.97 |
| premium | $5.77 | $39.90 | $79.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.01 | $78.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
| Efficient EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.2 | 0 | $24.58 | $11.24 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Ephrata, WA
Evening in Ephrata on Sunday
Local time
7:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
88 mi in
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
4 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
3h 27m 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 Ephrata, WA covers 175.6 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Route 18, WA 283. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.8 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 $36.86 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 175.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 Ephrata, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Soap Lake along the way.
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