Origin
Salmon Creek, WA
Evening in Salmon Creek on Sunday
Local time
8:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salmon Creek, WA to Federal Way, WA
Drive Time
2h 41m
Distance
138.6 mi
223 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salmon Creek, WA
Ken Cheatham
Trip Overview
Traveling from Salmon Creek to Federal Way is a straightforward 138.6-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 41 minutes. Because this route is entirely within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, it serves as a highly efficient connection between these two points. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer to reach their destination without the need for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, the trip is budget-friendly and serves as a reliable transit link. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short trip, the focus here is on practicality and speed rather than a leisurely pace.
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
69.3 miles from Salmon Creek, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a quintessential interstate experience, as 98% of this drive is spent on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-5, which accounts for a significant 135.5-mile stretch of your journey. The road feels like a classic high-speed transit corridor, designed for efficiency rather than winding, technical maneuvers. As you approach your destination, you will transition briefly off the interstate onto South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South to reach your final stop. It is a focused, highway-centric drive that gets you from point A to point B 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 15 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 135.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and South 320th Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Northeast 20th Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.1 miles (Northeast 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Northeast 139th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 126.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 20th Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast 20th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Northeast 139th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 139th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
126.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
136.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
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 143
Toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
6
137.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
South 320th Street
Turn left onto South 320th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 135.5 mi | 2h 34m |
| South 320th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Pacific Highway South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 20th Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Highway 99 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 205 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Northeast 139th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Northeast Strand Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 135.5 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salmon Creek, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on Northeast Strand Road
264 ft
·
51 sec
·
Northeast Strand Road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 20th Avenue
93 ft
·
5 sec
·
Northeast 20th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Northeast Highway 99
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Northeast Highway 99
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on Northeast 20th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Northeast 20th Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Turn left onto Northeast 139th Street
374 ft
·
10 sec
·
Northeast 139th Street
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
7
Merge onto I 205
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 205
Toward I 5 North: Seattle
8
Merge onto I 5
126 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 143
Toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto South 320th Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South 320th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto WA 99
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Pacific Highway South
13
Turn right onto South 312th Street
158 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, especially since the drive is nearly three hours long. Keep a close eye on the 135.5-mile stretch on I-5, as traffic density can fluctuate significantly on this major artery. If you find yourself needing to refuel, aim to do so before hitting the final segments on South 320th Street to ensure a smooth arrival. Prioritize a departure that works for your schedule, as the lack of complex navigation makes this an easy trip to manage on short notice.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.3 miles from Salmon Creek, WA, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.5 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.3 miles or 1h 20m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Federal Way, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salmon Creek, 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 Salmon Creek, WA
This is one driving day of about 138.6 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salmon Creek, 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 5 for about 135.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.3 mi from Salmon Creek, WA · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 69.3 miles from Salmon Creek, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.5 miles.
Arriving in Federal Way, WA
The final approach into Federal Way, 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 Federal Way, 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
$29.09 one way
$58.18 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $30.38 | $60.75 |
| premium | $5.77 | $31.49 | $62.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.79 | $61.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.55 | $6.65 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.13 | $5.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Evening in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
8:16 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 41m 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 Salmon Creek, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 138.6 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, South 320th Street, 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 69.3 miles from Salmon Creek, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.09 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.
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 138.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.1 miles (Northeast 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (Northeast 139th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 126.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Salmon Creek, WA to Federal Way, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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