Origin
Sudden Valley, WA
Evening in Sudden Valley on Friday
Local time
5:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sudden Valley, WA to Federal Way, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
107.8 mi
173 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sudden Valley, WA
Ken Cheatham
Trip Overview
This 107.8-mile drive from Sudden Valley, WA, to Federal Way, WA, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-5, this highway-focused route will likely cost around $23 in fuel. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's perfectly suited for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop. The journey stays within the Pacific Coast region, offering a straightforward transit between two Washington State locations. Plan for a focused drive with minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.9 miles from Sudden Valley, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 107.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 87% of the drive on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 93.6 miles on I-5, indicating a significant period of consistent speed and traffic flow. While Lake Whatcom Boulevard and Alger Cain Lake Road offer brief diversions, the core of this journey is defined by its interstate character. This means you'll encounter the typical on-and-off-ramp sequences and steady cruising associated with long-haul highway driving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 93.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Lake Whatcom Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Sudden Valley Drive.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Sudden Valley Drive): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Sudden Valley Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Sudden Valley Drive
Navigation decision point
5
10.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
104.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
104.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
South 272nd Street
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
107.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 93.6 mi | 1h 52m |
| Lake Whatcom Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Alger Cain Lake Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Cain Lake Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Sudden Valley Drive | 1 mi | 4m |
| Lake Samish Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 93.6 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sudden Valley, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on Tawny Circle
280 ft
·
11 sec
·
Tawny Circle
2
Turn left onto Lost Fork Lane
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Lost Fork Lane
3
At end of road, turn right onto Sudden Valley Drive
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Sudden Valley Drive
4
Continue on Sudden Valley Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Sudden Valley Drive
5
Continue on Sudden Valley Drive
169 ft
·
8 sec
·
Sudden Valley Drive
6
Turn right onto Lake Whatcom Boulevard
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Lake Whatcom Boulevard
7
Turn right onto Cain Lake Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Cain Lake Road
8
Continue on Alger Cain Lake Road
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Alger Cain Lake Road
9
Continue on Lake Samish Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Samish Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
11
Merge onto I 5
94 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 147
Toward South 272nd Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 272nd Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto WA 99; WA 509
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Pacific Highway South
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto South 312th Street
209 ft
·
9 sec
·
South 312th Street
16
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 21-minute trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and potentially avoid peak traffic. With only 0 designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. The longest stretch on I-5 is substantial, so ensure you're comfortable with sustained driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and plan your refueling accordingly. Since this is a day trip, you can adapt your schedule easily, but remember to factor in potential I-5 slowdowns, especially closer to Federal Way.
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 53.9 miles from Sudden Valley, WA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.6 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 24 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.9 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
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 Sudden Valley, 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 Sudden Valley, WA
This is one driving day of about 107.8 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Sudden Valley, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 93.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.9 mi from Sudden Valley, WA · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.9 miles from Sudden Valley, 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 93.6 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.56 one way
$45.12 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $23.66 | $47.32 |
| premium | $5.77 | $24.48 | $48.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.80 | $47.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.32 | $5.17 |
| Efficient EV | 27 | 0 | $9.43 | $4.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.09 | $6.90 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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 Friday
Local time
5:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
SW 6 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
4 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
2h 21m 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 Sudden Valley, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 107.8 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Lake Whatcom Boulevard, Alger Cain Lake Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.9 miles from Sudden Valley, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.56 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 straightforward 2h 21m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Sudden Valley Drive): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 104.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sudden Valley, WA to Federal Way, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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