Federal Way, WA Road Trips
Federal Way, WA serves as a quiet starting point in the Pacific Coast, connecting drivers to 7 outbound routes across the area. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 23-mile quick runs to 275-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Federal Way, WA head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
9
Longest Drive
364 mi
Kettle Falls, WA
Quickest Drive
35m
Norwood Village, WA
Plan Around Federal Way, WA
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Federal Way, WA is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Federal Way, WA
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Federal Way, WA
Federal Way, WA to Dayton, WA
Federal Way, WA to Omak, WA
Federal Way, WA to Finley, WA
Federal Way, WA to Highland, WA
Federal Way, WA to West Pasco, WA
Federal Way, WA to Prosser, WA
Federal Way, WA to Norwood Village, WA
Driving from Federal Way, WA
The typical drive from Federal Way, WA covers about 205 miles and takes around 4h 7m. There is a healthy spread of short hops, medium drives, and longer road trips to pick from. The longest mapped route runs 275 miles (5h 55m), while the shortest is just 23 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Federal Way, WA most often head toward Dayton, WA (274.7 mi, 5h 55m), Omak, WA (242.3 mi, 5h 7m), Finley, WA (236.2 mi, 4h 34m), Highland, WA (233.9 mi, 4h 28m), and West Pasco, WA (228 mi, 4h 22m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in WA currently averages around $5.23 per gallon. For the typical 205-mile trip from Federal Way, WA, budget about $42 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring. Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 7 mapped routes leaving Federal Way, WA and 2 routes heading into Federal Way, WA, covering 9 total connections. Distances range from 23 to 275 miles.
The longest mapped route from Federal Way, WA covers 275 miles and takes approximately 5h 55m. Shorter options start at just 23 miles.
The average route from Federal Way, WA runs about 205 miles with a drive time of roughly 4h 7m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $5.23/gallon for regular), the average 205-mile trip from Federal Way, WA costs roughly $42 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Federal Way, WA include Dayton, WA, Omak, WA, Finley, WA and Highland, WA. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Federal Way, WA by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
99,232
Median Income
$82,144
Median Home Value
$499,600
Median Age
37.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Federal Way, WA at a Glance
Founded
1929
Elevation
515 ft
Area
1 mi²
Sister Cities
Notable People from Federal Way, WA
A sampling of people born in Federal Way, WA.
Jaden McDaniels
2000
American basketball player (born 2000)
Kelyn Rowe
1991
American soccer player
Ariana Kukors
1989
American swimmer, Olympic athlete, world champion, world record-holder
Sam Kim
1998
American singer-songwriter, producer, and guitarist
Michael McGrady
1960
American actor
Andre Fili
1990
American mixed martial arts fighter
C. J. Elleby
2000
American basketball player
Hank Conger
1988
Korean-American baseball player
Sean Okoli
1993
American soccer player
Landmarks & Historic Sites
Attractions and heritage-registered places located in Federal Way, WA.
Wild Waves Theme Park
amusement park and water park in Federal Way, Washington, United States
City data from Wikidata (Q821112), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Federal Way, WA
Federal Way is a city in King County on the Puget Sound of Washington State. It is the home of the Pacific Bonsai Museum and Rhododendron Species Botanical Gardens. With a population of 96,000 (2016), Federal Way is one of Seattle's largest suburbs.
Federal Way is home to the world headquarters of Weyerhaeuser and World Vision. The City of Federal Way has a huge population of Korean Americans and used to host the annual Hanwoori Korean Festival, which was a huge event sponsored by the City of Federal Way, Washington State, and various business organizations. Visit Federal Way website
1 Pacific Bonsai Museum, 2515 S 336th St. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. An outdoor museum of living art with more than 50 outstanding bonsai trees elegantly displayed in a beautiful woodland setting. Free tours Sunday at 1PM. donation suggested. (updated Jul 2019) 2 Rhododendron Species Botanical Gardens, 2525 S 336th St, ☏ +1 253-838-4646, [email protected]. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Over 10,000 rhododendrons grow in a beautiful woodland setting covering 22 acres. The garden displays over 700 species native to four continents. $8/adult, $5/concession, free for children/military. (updated Jul 2019)
1 Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, 36201 Enchanted Parkway S, ☏ +1 253 661-8000, [email protected]. It is the main attraction in Federal Way, being the only existing water amusement park in Western Washington. 2 Redondo Beach. A place to enjoy Puget Sound. (updated Jun 2023) 3 Dash Point State Park, 5700 SW Dash Point Rd, ☏ +1 253-661-4955. 8AM-dusk. (updated May 2021)
1 East India Grill, 31845 Gateway Center Blvd S, ☏ +1 253 529-9292. M-Th 11AM-10PM; F-Sa 11AM-11PM; Su 11AM-9PM. Atmospheric restaurant with an Indic menu. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Legendary Doughnuts, 32085 Pacific Hwy S, ☏ +1 206 460-5942. Daily 5AM-6PM. Western Washington chain of doughnut bakeries. (updated Aug 2018) 3 New Peking Wok, 32921 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 253 838-2688. Daily 11AM-8PM. Chinese restaurant available for banquets and catering. (updated Aug 2018) 4 Pizza Pizazz, 32925 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 253 661-6161. Independent pizza joint with a rock music theme. (updated Aug 2018) 5 Señor Taco, 33120 Pacific Hwy S, ☏ +1 253 661-9915. M-Sa 11AM-8PM. Authentic, family-owned taqueria. (updated Aug 2018) 6 Akasaka, 31246 Pacific Hwy S. Japanese restaurant. (updated Feb 2025) 7 Koharu, 31840 Pacific Hwy S Suite C. Japanese restaurant. (updated Feb 2025) Federal Way is best known for its Korean cuisine, thanks to the high concentration of Korean Americans living in the city. 8 Mirak Korean BBQ, 31260 Pacific Hwy S #1. (updated Feb 2025) 9 Shin Sung, 1805 S 316th St #106. (updated Feb 2025)
1 Poverty Bay Cafe & Coffee Company, 1108 S 322nd Pl, ☏ +1 253 945-0012. W-Su 7AM-2PM. Cafe that also serves light diner fare. (updated Aug 2018)
1 La Quinta Inn, 31611 Pete von Reichbaur Way S (Pete von Reichbaur/20th Ave S & S 316th St), ☏ +1 253 941-6000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. 2 Courtyard Seattle Federal Way, 31910 Gateway Center Blvd. South, ☏ +1 253 529-0200, fax: +1 253 529-0220. 3 Staybridge Suites Federal Way - Seattle South, 32124 25th Ave S, ☏ +1 253-945-9833. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. 4 Hampton Inn & Suites, 31720 Gateway Center Blvd S, ☏ +1 253 946-6000. (updated Feb 2022) 5 Days Inn, 34827 Pacific Hwy S. (SW of intersection of Pacific & S 348th St), ☏ +1 253 237-6374. 6 Quality Inn, 1400 S 348th St, ☏ +1 253 835-4145. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Feb 2022)
Federal Way is just north of Tacoma, and is less than 10 miles south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Interstate 5 (I-5) runs along the east edge of the city. There are four exits into town: Exit #142 A & B ("SR 18/S 348th St") Exit #143 ("S 320th St") goes to Federal Way Commons, the closest thing to a 'downtown' The S 317th St exit and merge lanes (accessed from the left lanes of both directions) are restricted to carpools (2 or more) and buses. Exit #147 ("S 272nd St") Pacific Highway S (SR-99) passes through town as Pacific Hwy from Kent/Des Moines in the north and Fife in the south. It runs parallel to I-5 with multiple stores, restaurants, malls and motels along the road. SR-99 provides direct connection between Federal Way and the airport in Sea-Tac where it becomes International Blvd. State Route (SR) 18 into S 348th St Connects Federal Way and I-5 corridor to the I-90 corridor near Snoqualmie (Exit 25 of I-90) through Auburn, Covington, Maple Valley and Issaquah. SR-18 ends at its junction with I-5 and becomes S 348th west of the I-5 corridor in Federal Way. It is the shortest way to reach Snoqualmie Pass and anywhere east via I-90 from Federal Way, Tacoma and anywhere south along I-5 WITHOUT going into Seattle or Bellevue. Enchanted Pkwy S Connects Federal Way to Mount Rainier via Edgewood, Puyallup, South Hill and Graham in Pierce County. It goes through town as Enchanted Pkwy S which becomes 16th Ave S north of its intersection with S 348th. It ends at its intersection with SR-99 at S 340th Pl.
Federal Way lies approximately between S 272nd St (27200 block) and S 373rd St (37300 block), which run east and west. 1st Ave S (goes north-south) divides 'South' (east of 1st) from 'Southwest' (west of 1st) as it goes from S 291st St (29100) at Redondo Beach to S 368th St (36800) as a major throughfare. Federal Way's street designation is a continuation of King County's street designation system in South Seattle (S) and West Seattle (SW). The house numbers decrease from south to north; and from the east and from the west towards 1st Ave S. Roads south of the King-Pierce County line, south of Federal Way, change to a Northeast (NE) directional (in the suffix) which is based on Tacoma's directional system as that part of town is in Tacoma but is closer and more connected to Federal Way then it is to Tacoma. 2 Federal Way Downtown Station on 23rd Ave S between S 317 & 319th is the transportation hub (bus station). The Federal Station offers routes with service to Sea-Tac Intl. Airport (A, 574); Downtown Seattle (177,577,578); First Hill (193); Univ of Washington in the U-District (586); Tacoma (500,501,586,574); Puyallup (402,578); Auburn (181, 578). King County Metro, ☏ +1 206-553-3000. Runs bus, streetcar and monorail routes within King County. Serves Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, North Bend, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila, Vashon Island, White Center, and Woodinville. $3 for 2 hours ($1 seniors 65+, Free youth 0-18).
Travel tips adapted from Federal Way on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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