Origin
Federal Way, WA
Evening in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Federal Way, WA to Seattle, WA
Drive Time
31m
Distance
22.3 mi
36 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seattle, WA
Josh Hild
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Federal Way to Seattle, you are looking at a quick 22.3-mile journey that typically takes about 31 minutes. Since both locations sit firmly within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, this is a straightforward commute rather than a cross-country expedition. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it ideal for a morning meeting or a quick afternoon outing. Budgeting roughly $5 for fuel should be plenty to cover the distance in a standard vehicle. Because this is such a short drive, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you total flexibility for your departure time.
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
11.2 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 82% of your drive involves major transit routes. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-5, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 18.2 miles that defines the character of the trip. The route transitions from local surface streets like South 272nd Street and Pacific Highway South before merging onto the interstate for the primary leg of your journey. While the drive is functional and efficient, be prepared for the consistent traffic flow typical of a major interstate corridor. It is a no-nonsense, practical route designed to get you between these two points with minimal deviation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 18.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Pacific Highway South. You will hit about 10 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 22.3 miles you will encounter 10 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; near the start (WA 99 / Pacific Highway South): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 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
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 99 / Pacific Highway South
Turn right onto WA 99 / Pacific Highway South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I-5 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-5 North: Seattle
7
21.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward Seneca Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
7
22.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
5th Avenue
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 18.2 mi | 22m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Seneca Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Madison Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 18.2 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Seattle, WA.
1
Start on this road
24 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
158 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 312th Street
3
Turn right onto WA 99
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pacific Highway South
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South 272nd Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I-5 North: Seattle
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 5
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 165
Toward Seneca Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Turn left onto Seneca Street
323 ft
·
18 sec
·
Seneca Street
9
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
5th Avenue
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
10
Turn right onto Madison Street
113 ft
·
9 sec
·
Madison Street
11
Turn left
31 ft
·
2 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 31-minute duration, you have the advantage of being able to time your departure around peak traffic hours to ensure a smoother experience. Since the entire trip covers just 22.3 miles, you won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, but otherwise, the trip is simple enough that you don't need to pack extra supplies or snacks. A concrete tip for this route: keep a close eye on your GPS as you navigate off South 272nd Street and onto I-5, as the transition is the most technical part of an otherwise straightforward drive. Since you aren't spending hours in the car, use the time you save to enjoy more flexibility at your final 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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 11.2 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.2 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 22.3 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.2 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seattle, 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 22.3 miles and 31m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 18.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.2 mi from Federal Way, WA · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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 22.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.2 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Seattle, WA
The final approach into Seattle, 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 Seattle, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.68 one way
$9.36 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $4.89 | $9.78 |
| premium | $5.77 | $5.07 | $10.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.95 | $9.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.34 | $1.07 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.95 | $0.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Seattle, WA
Evening in Seattle on Sunday
Local time
7:54 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°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
3 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
31m 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 Seattle, WA covers 22.3 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Pacific Highway South, South 272nd Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.2 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 $4.68 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.3 miles you will encounter 10 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; near the start (WA 99 / Pacific Highway South): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Federal Way, WA to Seattle, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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