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Trip from Waterville, WA to Federal Way, WA

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

173 mi

278 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 28m ★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 47m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 33m

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 Waterville, WA, WA

Waterville, WA

Frank Cone

Trip Overview

The drive from Waterville, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 173 miles and takes about 3h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, US 97, State Route 18 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.31 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

86.5 miles from Waterville, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 3h 40m highway drive covering 173 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US 97. The longest continuous stretch is about 60 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 60 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 97. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 37.7 miles in near US 97 / US 2.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 173 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 37.7 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

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

7
37.7 mi into trip | ~53m in | US 97 / US 2

Take the exit onto US 97 / US 2 toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
7
143.7 mi into trip | ~2h 59m 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
143.9 mi into trip | ~2h 59m 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
168.8 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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
169.1 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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 Waterville, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

Ellensburg

37.7 mi in | ~53m | via US 97

Seattle

37.7 mi in | ~53m | via US 97

Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn

143.9 mi in | ~2h 59m

Tacoma

143.9 mi in | ~2h 59m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 60 mi 1h 6m
US 97 35.3 mi 44m
State Route 18 24.2 mi 31m
US 2 23.5 mi 30m
Sunset Highway 12 mi 19m
WA 970 9.9 mi 12m
South Peasley Canyon Road 1.8 mi 3m
South 320th Street 1.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 60 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Chelan Avenue

0.4 mi · 39 sec · South Chelan Avenue
2

Turn right onto West Elm Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Elm Street
3

Continue on US 2

8.9 mi · 14 min · Sunset Highway
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 97

9.0 mi · 11 min · US 2; US 97
5

Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97

48 ft · 1 sec · Sunset Highway
6

Continue on US 2; US 97

3.0 mi · 4 min · Sunset Highway
7

Turn right onto US 2; US 97

0.8 mi · 1 min · US 2/97
8

Continue on US 2; US 97

1.1 mi · 1 min · Odabashian Bridge
9

Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 97

137 ft · 5 sec · US 2; US 97
10

Continue on US 2; US 97

0.4 mi · 44 sec · US 2; US 97
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 2; US 97

140 ft · 2 sec · US 2; US 97
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 2; US 97

14 mi · 17 min · US 2; US 97
13

Take the exit onto US 97

0.3 mi · 46 sec · US 2
Toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn left onto US 97

35 mi · 44 min · US 97
15

Continue on WA 970

9.8 mi · 12 min · WA 970
16

Turn left onto WA 970

0.2 mi · 18 sec · WA 970
17

Turn left onto WA 970

0.2 mi · 11 sec · Sunset Highway
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 90 West
19

Merge onto I 90

60 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 25 Toward WA 18 West: Auburn Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

448 ft · 13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22

Merge onto WA 18

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
23

Continue on WA 18

24 mi · 31 min · State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup Use the slight right lane.
25

Keep slight left at fork

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

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward West Valley Highway Use the straight / right lanes.
27

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

0.1 mi · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North
Use the straight lane.
28

Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
29

Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

67 ft · 1 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road
30

Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
31

Continue on South 320th Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street
32

Turn right onto WA 99

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South
33

Turn right onto South 312th Street

158 ft · 5 sec · South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
34

Turn right

24 ft · 1 sec
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 86.5 miles from Waterville, WA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.5 miles or 1h 55m 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 57m

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 Waterville, 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 Waterville, WA

This is one driving day of about 173 miles and 3h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waterville, 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 90 for about 60 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86.5 mi from Waterville, WA · 1h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

87 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.

Popular next leg

Yakima, WA to Federal Way, WA

147.4 mi · 2h 54m

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 86.5 miles from Waterville, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 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 155.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.31 one way

$72.62 round trip

$5.33/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.57 $37.92 $75.83
premium $5.77 $39.31 $78.61
diesel $5.64 $38.43 $76.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.9 0 $18.17 $8.30
Efficient EV 43.3 0 $15.14 $6.92
EV Truck/SUV 69.2 0 $24.22 $11.07

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 4 days ago

Origin

Waterville, WA

Afternoon in Waterville on Monday

Local time

12:13 PM

PDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Federal Way, WA

Afternoon in Federal Way on Monday

Local time

12:13 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

5 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

3h 40m 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 Waterville, WA to Federal Way, WA covers 173 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 97, 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 86.5 miles from Waterville, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.31 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 25 significant decision points across 173 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 37.7 miles (US 97 / US 2): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Waterville, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.

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Return Trip

Federal Way, WA to Waterville, WA

Plan the drive back the other way.

173.3 mi 3h 41m

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