Federal Way, WA to Highland, WA is 233.9 miles and takes about 4h 28m via I 90, I 82, and US 97, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip offers a straightforward journey across Washington State, taking you from the Pacific Coast region inland. With 98% of the drive on highways, it's designed for efficient travel. Plan for a single-day adventure that prioritizes covering ground over extensive sightseeing. You'll find this route is all about getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
116.9 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
84.5 mi
1h 33m
I 82
76.4 mi
1h 22m
US 97
37.8 mi
42m
State Route 18
24.4 mi
31m
East State Route 397
4.8 mi
6m
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.8 mi
3m
South 320th Street
1.4 mi
3m
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 84.5 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Highland, 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 straight lane.
5
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
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 BendUse the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward WA 18 East
11
Merge onto WA 18
24 mi·31 min·State Route 18
Use the 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
85 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 97
38 mi·42 min·US 97
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: YakimaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 82; US 12
76 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 82; US 12
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward SR 397 North: Luscot Grove Road, Finley
18
Turn left onto WA 397
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Locust Grove Road
19
Continue on WA 397
4.8 mi·6 min·East State Route 397
20
Turn right
0.3 mi·1 min
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m estimated duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for potential minor delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of $49, planning for fuel is straightforward, but be aware of the longest stretch of 84.5 miles on I 90, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The flexibility of a one-day drive means you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 116.9 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.5 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 51 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.9 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland, 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 233.9 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 84.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 113.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
6
4 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward WA 18 East
7
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|US 97
Take the exit onto US 97 toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
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.
Toward I 82 East, US 97 South: Yakima
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.95 one way
$97.91 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$51.34
$102.68
premium
$5.77
$53.12
$106.23
diesel
$5.61
$51.64
$103.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
Efficient EV
58.5
0
$20.47
$9.36
EV Truck/SUV
93.6
1
$32.75
$14.97
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Federal Way, WA
Afternoon
in Federal Way on Saturday
Local time
1:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Highland, WA
Afternoon
in Highland on Saturday
Local time
1:42 PM
PDT
Current temp
64°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
17 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 28m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 98% of your travel occurring on major interstates and highways. You'll encounter long, uninterrupted stretches, including the longest segment of 84.5 miles on I 90. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, allowing for steady progress. The character of the road remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency and direct travel across the landscape.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 312th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 233.9 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: 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 233.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Highland, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Highland, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
