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Create accountDrive Time
48m
Distance
33.7 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sammamish, WA
nicholas hatherly
The drive from Federal Way, WA to Sammamish, WA covers 33.7 miles and takes about 48m 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, WA 520 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 13.8 miles on I 405. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.07 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
16.8 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
This is a 48m highway drive covering 33.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 405 and I 5. The longest continuous stretch is about 13.8 miles on I 405.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 405 and I 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 33.7 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 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; at 24.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
Take the exit toward WA 520: Seattle, Redmond
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 520 East: 124th Avenue Northeast, Redmond
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward 124th Avenue Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Federal Way, WA and Sammamish, WA, road signs point toward Bellevue, Redmond and 124Th Avenue Northeast.
Bellevue
Redmond
124Th Avenue Northeast
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 405 | 13.8 mi | 17m |
| I 5 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| WA 520 | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Redmond Way | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Sammamish, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Turn right onto WA 99
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 405
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto WA 520
Take the exit
Turn right onto WA 202
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto East Lake Sammamish Parkway Northeast
Arrive at destination
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.
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 33.7 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.8 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sammamish, WA than in the middle of the route.
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 33.7 miles and 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.8 mi from Federal Way, WA · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 33.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.8 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Sammamish, 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 Sammamish, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$7.07 one way
$14.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $7.39 | $14.77 |
| premium | $5.77 | $7.66 | $15.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.49 | $14.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.95 | $1.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.72 | $2.16 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
7:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 10:35AM PDT until April 12 at 8:28PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Evening in Sammamish on Sunday
Local time
7:43 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 11 at 10:35AM PDT until April 12 at 8:28PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
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