This 210.8-mile journey from Brewster, WA, to Federal Way, WA, is designed as a single-day trip, typically taking around 4 hours and 25 minutes to complete. You'll be spending about 95% of your time on highways, making it a predominantly highway-focused drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, it's a budget-friendly option for crossing Washington state. The route offers a straightforward path, ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Since it's a manageable distance, you'll have flexibility in your timing and stop schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.4 miles from Brewster, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
91.1 mi
1h 55m
I 90
60 mi
1h 6m
State Route 18
24.2 mi
31m
US 2
14.5 mi
19m
WA 970
9.9 mi
12m
Sunset Highway
3.1 mi
4m
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.8 mi
3m
South 320th Street
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 27 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,355
Quietest
2 AM
~108 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brewster, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on East Griggs Avenue
74 ft·5 sec·East Griggs Avenue
2
Turn right onto WA 173
0.2 mi·27 sec·Bridge Street South
3
Turn left onto West Main Avenue
0.4 mi·52 sec·West Main Avenue
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 97
56 mi·1 hr 11 min·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, SeattleUse 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 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse 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, PuyallupUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward West Valley HighwayUse 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
For this 4-hour and 25-minute drive, starting early can help you avoid any potential traffic as you approach the Seattle metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 91.1-mile stretch on US 97, to ensure you're topped up before hitting longer segments. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or price variations. Pacing yourself with one well-timed break will make the 210.8 miles feel manageable.
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 105.4 miles from Brewster, WA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 46 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.4 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 34m
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 Brewster, 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 Brewster, WA
This is one driving day of about 210.8 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Brewster, 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 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 75.5 and 206.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
206.5 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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
206.8 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.06 one way
$82.13 round trip
$4.95/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.18
$43.02
$86.05
premium
$5.39
$44.74
$89.48
diesel
$4.80
$39.80
$79.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.13
$10.12
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.45
$8.43
EV Truck/SUV
84.3
1
$29.51
$13.49
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Brewster, WA
Late night
in Brewster on Sunday
Local time
2:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
NW 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Late night
in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
2:25 AM
PDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued July 18 at 11:42AM PDT until July 18 at 9:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA
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
14 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
4h 25m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 210.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 210.8-mile route, with 95% of your travel on major roads like US 97, I 90, and State Route 18. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 91.1 miles on US 97, meaning you'll have significant periods of consistent driving. While primarily highway, the shift between these major arteries will provide some variation in the driving experience as you progress toward Federal Way. This profile suggests a focus on covering distance rather than intricate scenic exploration.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.5 miles in near US 97 / US 2.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 210.8 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 75.5 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 181.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,824 ft393 ft
Total Climb
2,960 ft
Total Descent
3,301 ft
Highest Point
2,824 ft
~90.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,431 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brewster, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
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.
Top landmarks
•Wild Waves Theme Park — amusement park and water park in Federal Way, Washington, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 25m. Total distance: 210.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Federal Way, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.5 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 181.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Federal Way, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
