This 26.9-mile drive from Federal Way, WA to Purdy, WA is a quick, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 37 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $6, it's an economical option for a short excursion. The route primarily utilizes WA 16 and I-5, making it a straightforward journey. Since it's so brief, it's perfect for a day trip without needing an overnight stay. You'll be traveling within the Pacific Coast region for the entire duration, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travels.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 37m. Total distance: 26.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with an 80% highway share. You'll spend the bulk of your time on WA 16, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch at 12.5 miles. The drive is characterized by its fast-paced, highway-focused profile, allowing for consistent speed. While the majority is on main roads like WA 16 and I-5, the transition between them is smooth, keeping you moving efficiently toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
WA 16 is the longest continuous segment at about 12.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on WA 16 and I 5. 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 Effort10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 26.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These 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
8
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
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 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
8
11.6 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
12.2 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
6
25.2 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key Center
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Federal Way, WA and Purdy, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.
Tacoma
2.4 mi in|~5m
Bremerton
11.6 mi in|~17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
WA 16
12.5 mi
15m
I 5
8.8 mi
10m
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi
3m
Purdy Drive Northwest
1.1 mi
1m
16th Avenue South
0.5 mi
1m
State Route 18
<0.1 mi
<1m
144th Street Northwest
<0.1 mi
<1m
South 312th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
WA 16
— 12.5 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Purdy, 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
1.8 mi·3 min·Pacific Highway South
4
Turn left onto 16th Avenue South
0.5 mi·1 min·16th Avenue South
5
Turn left onto WA 18
497 ft·13 sec·State Route 18
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
8
Merge onto I 5
7.5 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi·1 min·I 5
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 132BToward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, BremertonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto WA 16
13 mi·15 min·WA 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward WA 302 West: Purdy Key CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto WA 302
1.1 mi·1 min·Purdy Drive Northwest
15
Turn right onto 144th Street Northwest
164 ft·3 sec·144th Street Northwest
16
Arrive at destination
144th Street Northwest
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.63 one way
$11.26 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg9 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$5.90
$11.81
premium
$5.77
$6.11
$12.22
diesel
$5.61
$5.94
$11.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
8.1
0
$2.82
$1.29
Efficient EV
6.7
0
$2.35
$1.08
EV Truck/SUV
10.8
0
$3.77
$1.72
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Federal Way, WA
Late night
in Federal Way on Saturday
Local time
4:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Sunny
N 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Purdy, WA
Late night
in Purdy on Saturday
Local time
4:06 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 10:29PM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
1 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
37m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Purdy, WA covers 26.9 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are WA 16, I 5, Pacific Highway South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.5 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 $5.63 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 short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 26.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 37m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.6 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 Purdy, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma and Bremerton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
