Origin
Shoreline, WA
Afternoon in Shoreline on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Shoreline, WA to Federal Way, WA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
45m
Distance
33.1 mi
53 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shoreline, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 33.1-mile drive from Shoreline, WA, to Federal Way, WA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 45 minutes to complete. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-5 and Pacific Highway South. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, this trip is an economical option for a quick transit between two points within the Pacific Coast region. You'll find no designated overnight stops necessary, making it a convenient point-to-point excursion perfect for those seeking efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
16.6 miles from Shoreline, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 33.1-mile trip, as 87% of the route is on major thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.8 miles on I-5, offering a consistent pace. While primarily a highway drive, you will transition onto roads like Pacific Highway South and North 175th Street, which may offer a slight change in scenery and traffic patterns. The overall profile suggests a focus on getting you from point A to point B efficiently, rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 28.8 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 33.1 miles you will encounter 9 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
Turn right
Navigation decision point
7
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 South
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
29.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward South 272nd Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward South 272nd Street
6
30 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
South 272nd Street
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 28.8 mi | 36m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North 175th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 28.8 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shoreline, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on this road
111 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
448 ft
·
35 sec
3
Turn right onto North 175th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 175th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 5 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 5
29 mi
·
36 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 147
Toward South 272nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 272nd Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto WA 99; WA 509
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pacific Highway South
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto South 312th Street
209 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 312th Street
10
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
11
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 45-minute duration and 33.1-mile distance, this trip offers significant flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, but be mindful of potential I-5 traffic, especially during peak commute hours. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $7, so refueling isn't a major concern for this journey. Since there are no recommended stops and the longest stretch is on I-5, plan your restroom breaks and snacks before you begin or upon arrival in Federal Way. Consider using Pacific Highway South for a portion of the drive if you prefer slightly more local road conditions over continuous interstate travel.
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 16.6 miles from Shoreline, WA, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.8 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 33 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.6 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Federal Way, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Shoreline, WA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Shoreline, WA
This is one driving day of about 33.1 miles and 45m.
At 33.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 28.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.6 mi from Shoreline, WA · 22m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.6 miles from Shoreline, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Federal Way, WA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Federal Way, WA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.93 one way
$13.86 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $7.27 | $14.53 |
| premium | $5.77 | $7.52 | $15.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.31 | $14.62 |
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: 11.6 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 | 9.9 | 0 | $3.48 | $1.59 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Afternoon in Federal Way on Wednesday
Local time
4:38 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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
45m 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 Shoreline, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 33.1 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Pacific Highway South, North 175th 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 16.6 miles from Shoreline, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.93 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 33.1 miles you will encounter 9 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: Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Shoreline, WA to Federal Way, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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