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Trip from Sunnyside, WA to Federal Way, WA

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

182 mi

293 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 22m ★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Sunnyside, WA, WA

Sunnyside, WA

Joshua Lim

Trip Overview

Traveling from Sunnyside to Federal Way covers 182 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan for approximately $38 in fuel costs to complete the journey. You will primarily utilize US 97, I-82, and State Route 18 to navigate between these two points in Washington. It is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that serves as a reliable connection between the eastern and western parts of the state. Whether you are heading to the coast for business or a quick getaway, this itinerary offers a practical timeline for your travel planning.

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

91 miles from Sunnyside, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, with 95% of your travel occurring on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 85.7 miles along US 97. The drive balances the open, steady feel of interstate travel with the transition onto State Route 18 as you approach your destination. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can anticipate consistent speeds and a very predictable driving experience throughout the 3-hour and 34-minute duration. It is less about winding backroads and more about maintaining a steady pace to reach Federal Way efficiently.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.7 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,518 ft 384 ft

Total Climb

1,852 ft

Total Descent

2,134 ft

Highest Point

2,518 ft

~117 mi in

Elevation Range

2,134 ft

Notable High Points

2,518 ft at ~117 miles +536 ft prominence

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.9 miles in near US 97.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 182 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 66.9 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
66.9 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | US 97

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 90 West
7
152.6 mi into trip | ~2h 52m in

Take the exit toward WA 18 West: Auburn

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn
9
152.9 mi into trip | ~2h 53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / left / right lanes. Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn,...
9
177.7 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley High...
8
178 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward West Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward West Valley Highway

Towns Along This Route

Between Sunnyside, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

152.9 mi in | ~2h 53m

Tacoma

152.9 mi in | ~2h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 97 85.7 mi 1h 35m
I 82 62.6 mi 1h 8m
State Route 18 24.2 mi 31m
Yakima Valley Highway 3.1 mi 5m
South Peasley Canyon Road 1.8 mi 3m
South 320th Street 1.4 mi 3m
Pacific Highway South 0.5 mi <1m
South 6th Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 97 — 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sunnyside, WA and Federal Way, WA.

1

Start on South 9th Street

468 ft · 22 sec · South 9th Street
2

Turn right onto Franklin Avenue

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Franklin Avenue
3

Turn right onto South 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South 6th Street
4

Turn left onto Yakima Valley Highway

3.1 mi · 5 min · Yakima Valley Highway
5

Turn left onto West Sunnyside Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · West Sunnyside Road
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
7

Merge onto I 82; US 12

32 mi · 35 min · I 82; US 12
8

Continue on I 82; US 97

31 mi · 33 min · I 82; US 97
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 97

86 mi · 1 hr 35 min · US 97
Toward I 90 West Use the none lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12

Merge onto WA 18

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
13

Continue on WA 18

24 mi · 31 min · State Route 18
Use the none lane.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup Use the slight right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward West Valley Highway Use the straight / right lanes.
17

At end of road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North
Use the straight lane.
18

Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

67 ft · 1 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road
20

Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the left / none lanes.
21

Continue on South 320th Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street
Use the none lane.
22

Turn right onto WA 99

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South
23

Turn right onto South 312th Street

158 ft · 5 sec · South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
24

Turn right

24 ft · 1 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though checking traffic patterns on the highway sections is always a smart move. You should plan for one dedicated stop to break up the 182-mile journey and keep your focus sharp behind the wheel. Keep your $38 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling intervals, as highway driving can impact your vehicle's consumption. Given the reliance on I-82 and US 97, pay close attention to real-time traffic updates for the final leg on State Route 18 to avoid potential delays near the finish. By pacing your drive with a single, well-timed break, you will arrive in Federal Way feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 91 miles from Sunnyside, WA, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91 miles or 1h 44m 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 49m

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 Sunnyside, 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 Sunnyside, WA

This is one driving day of about 182 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sunnyside, 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 US 97 for about 85.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 91 mi from Sunnyside, WA · 1h 44m into the drive

Downtown Monroe, WA, WA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Monroe, WA

91 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

Yakima, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91 miles from Sunnyside, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.7 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 182
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.20 one way

$76.40 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $39.89 $79.78
premium $5.77 $41.35 $82.70
diesel $5.64 $40.43 $80.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.6 0 $19.11 $8.74
Efficient EV 45.5 0 $15.92 $7.28
EV Truck/SUV 72.8 0 $25.48 $11.65

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Forecast data refreshed 6 hours ago

Origin

Sunnyside, WA

Evening in Sunnyside on Sunday

Local time

7:43 PM

PDT

Current temp

69°F

Chance Light Rain

SW 2 to 7 mph 36% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 12:36PM PDT until April 13 at 5:30AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

Winter Storm Watch

Winter Storm Watch issued April 12 at 12:32PM PDT until April 16 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Portland OR

Destination

Federal Way, WA

Evening in Federal Way on Sunday

Local time

7:43 PM

PDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

52°F

Monroe, WA

91 mi in

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

31 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

3h 34m 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 Sunnyside, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 182 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, I 82, State Route 18. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91 miles from Sunnyside, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 182 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 66.9 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Sunnyside, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

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Return Trip

Federal Way, WA to Sunnyside, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

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