This 184.6-mile drive from Chelan, WA to Federal Way, WA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day. Expect the trip to take about 3 hours and 54 minutes, with a fuel cost estimated around $39. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Pacific Coast region. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 60 miles on I-90, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
92.3 miles from Chelan, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
60 mi
1h 6m
US 97
35.3 mi
44m
West Woodin Avenue
33.1 mi
45m
State Route 18
24.2 mi
31m
US 2
14.8 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 Chelan, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on WA 150
419 ft·10 sec·East Johnson Avenue
2
Turn right onto WA 150
0.3 mi·42 sec·North Saunders Street
3
Continue on US 97 Alt
0.5 mi·1 min·Webster Avenue
4
Continue on US 97 Alt
33 mi·45 min·West Woodin Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto US 97 Alt
117 ft·1 sec·US 97 Alt
6
Continue on US 97 Alt
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 97 Alt
7
Take the exit onto US 97 Alt
0.5 mi·50 sec·US 97 Alt
8
Merge onto US 2; US 97
0.3 mi·30 sec·US 2; US 97
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
Given the manageable 3-hour and 54-minute duration for this 184.6-mile trip, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your day, especially since the longest stretch without a break is 60 miles on I-90. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $39, and plan your one recommended stop strategically. Navigating through US-97 and I-90 means you'll primarily be on well-maintained highways, so focus on staying aware of traffic patterns as you transition onto local roads like West Woodin Avenue near Chelan.
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 92.3 miles from Chelan, WA, or about 2h 2m 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 41 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.3 miles or 2h 2m 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 9m
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 Chelan, 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 Chelan, WA
This is one driving day of about 184.6 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Chelan, 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.
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 49.3 and 180.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
49.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m 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
155.2 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
155.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
180.6 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
$38.64 one way
$77.27 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$40.52
$81.04
premium
$5.77
$41.92
$83.84
diesel
$5.61
$40.76
$81.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.4
0
$19.38
$8.86
Efficient EV
46.2
0
$16.15
$7.38
EV Truck/SUV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Chelan, WA
Evening
in Chelan on Saturday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Evening
in Federal Way on Saturday
Local time
7:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
47°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
22 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 54m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this drive, 79% to be exact, is on highways, offering a consistent pace for much of the 184.6 miles. You'll experience a highway-focused profile, with a significant 60-mile segment on I-90 where you can maintain steady progress. While primarily on major roads like I-90 and US-97, you will also navigate local streets such as West Woodin Avenue, which will introduce some variation in speed and surroundings as you approach your destination. This mix means you'll encounter both efficient travel and moments of more localized navigation.
79% 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: 60 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 49.3 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 184.6 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 49.3 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 155.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,081 ft388 ft
Total Climb
3,072 ft
Total Descent
3,736 ft
Highest Point
3,081 ft
~65.9 mi in
Elevation Range
2,693 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chelan, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward Ellensburg, Seattle, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn and Tacoma.
Ellensburg
49.3 mi in|~1h 7m|via US 97
Seattle
49.3 mi in|~1h 7m|via US 97
Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn
155.5 mi in|~3h 13m
Tacoma
155.5 mi in|~3h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 184.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.3 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 155.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Federal Way, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
