Burbank to Federal Way is 236.4 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Fourth Avenue, West Maple Street, and Fifth Avenue, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington and covers ground across the Pacific Coast region. Since it's primarily surface roads with no highway driving, expect a more local feel and a slower pace compared to interstate travel. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling overly rushed.
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
118.2 miles from Burbank, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 97
85.7 mi
1h 35m
US 12
70.9 mi
1h 17m
I 82
31 mi
33m
State Route 18
24.2 mi
31m
I 182
11.8 mi
12m
Lewis and Clark Trail
6.6 mi
7m
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.8 mi
3m
South 320th Street
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 85.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 54 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,339 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,424
Quietest
2 AM
~114 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 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 Burbank, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on Fifth Avenue
413 ft·20 sec·Fifth Avenue
2
Turn right onto Fourth Avenue
281 ft·9 sec·Fourth Avenue
3
Turn right onto West Maple Street
320 ft·14 sec·West Maple Street
4
Turn left onto Fifth Avenue
0.3 mi·47 sec·Fifth Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto WA 124
113 ft·1 sec·State Route 124
6
Continue on WA 124
0.3 mi·22 sec·State Route 124
7
Keep slight left at fork
108 ft·2 sec
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
9
Merge onto US 12
6.6 mi·7 min·Lewis and Clark Trail
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
12 mi·12 min·I 182; US 12
Toward I 182, US 12Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
71 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 12
Toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
12
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi·33 min·I 82; US 97
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
86 mi·1 hr 35 min·US 97
Toward I 90 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
17
Continue on WA 18
24 mi·31 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, PuyallupUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward West Valley HighwayUse the straight / right lanes.
21
At end of road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Valley Highway North
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road
0.7 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
67 ft·1 sec·South Peasley Canyon Road
24
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on South 320th Street
1.4 mi·3 min·South 320th Street
26
Turn right onto WA 99
0.5 mi·55 sec·Pacific Highway South
27
Turn right onto South 312th Street
158 ft·5 sec·South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right
24 ft·1 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 236.4-mile trip, leaving in the morning is your best bet to make the most of the 4h 30m estimated drive time and the $46 fuel cost. Since the route is entirely on surface roads and doesn't include a significant longest stretch, you have flexibility with stops. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on local traffic patterns, especially as you pass through populated areas, as this can significantly impact your travel time on non-highway routes.
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 118.2 miles from Burbank, WA, or about 2h 10m 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.2 miles or 2h 10m 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 Burbank, 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 Burbank, WA
This is one driving day of about 236.4 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Burbank, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.6 and 232.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
7.6 mi into trip|~9m in|I 182; US 12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12 toward I 182, US 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 182, US 12
7
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 90 West
9
207.3 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
232.1 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
232.4 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
$50.57 one way
$101.15 round trip
$5.43/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$52.86
$105.73
premium
$5.89
$54.83
$109.66
diesel
$6.28
$58.41
$116.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.9
0
$24.82
$11.35
Efficient EV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
EV Truck/SUV
94.6
1
$33.10
$15.13
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Burbank, WA
Late night
in Burbank on Friday
Local time
4:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 1 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Late night
in Federal Way on Friday
Local time
4:26 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Cloudy
SE 1 mph3% chanceLive 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
3 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
4h 30m 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 236.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is entirely on surface roads, meaning you won't encounter any highway mileage. The route begins on Fourth Avenue, transitions to West Maple Street, and continues on Fifth Avenue, suggesting a path through local city streets. Given the 0% highway share, anticipate frequent intersections and traffic signals rather than high-speed cruising. The longest stretch without a specific data point indicates you'll likely be navigating urban or suburban environments with regular opportunities to adjust speed.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.7 mi on US 97.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and US 12. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.6 miles in near I 182; US 12.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 236.4 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 7.6 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,446 ft372 ft
Total Climb
2,800 ft
Total Descent
2,708 ft
Highest Point
2,446 ft
~162.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,073 ft
Notable High Points
2,191 ft at ~97.6 miles+676 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burbank, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, 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 30m. Total distance: 236.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m 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 85.7 miles on US 97. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.6 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.3 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.3 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Federal Way, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
