Deer Park to Federal Way is 306.9 miles and takes about 5h 54m via I 90 and SR 18, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Washington State, connecting the Pacific Coast region from east to west. It's a primarily highway route, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, you can expect a consistent pace for most of the trip.
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
153.5 miles from Deer Park, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
252 mi
4h 32m
State Route 18
24.2 mi
31m
US 395
21.6 mi
34m
US 2
3 mi
3m
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.8 mi
3m
South 320th Street
1.4 mi
3m
West Crawford Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 252 mi, about 4h 32m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 94 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~977 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,772
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Deer Park, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on North Main Avenue
27 ft·4 sec·North Main Avenue
2
Turn right onto West Crawford Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·West Crawford Street
3
Enter roundabout onto US 395
270 ft·3 sec·US 395
4
Continue on US 395
0.9 mi·1 min·US 395
5
Enter roundabout onto US 395
90 ft·1 sec·US 395
6
Continue on US 395
12 mi·15 min·US 395
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395
8.5 mi·18 min·US 395
Toward US 395: SpokaneUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 2; US 395
0.5 mi·1 min·North Browne Street
9
Take the ramp onto US 2; US 395
3.0 mi·3 min·US 2; US 395
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90; US 395
57 mi·1 hr·I 90; US 395
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
195 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 25Toward WA 18 West: AuburnUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
448 ft·13 sec
Toward SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, TacomaUse the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Merge onto WA 18
0.3 mi·25 sec·Snoqualmie Parkway
15
Continue on WA 18
24 mi·31 min·State Route 18
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward WA 167: Renton, PuyallupUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward West Valley HighwayUse the straight / right lanes.
19
At end of road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North
0.1 mi·20 sec·West Valley Highway North
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road
0.7 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
67 ft·1 sec·South Peasley Canyon Road
22
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Peasley Canyon Road
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on South 320th Street
1.4 mi·3 min·South 320th Street
24
Turn right onto WA 99
0.5 mi·55 sec·Pacific Highway South
25
Turn right onto South 312th Street
158 ft·5 sec·South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn right
24 ft·1 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 306.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to comfortably complete it within daylight hours. Since it's a single-day trip, you'll want to pace yourself with one planned stop for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 252-mile stretch on I 90, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. The estimated fuel cost is $64, so budget accordingly. Your biggest consideration will be navigating the merging traffic as you transition from the interstate onto SR 18 and closer to Federal Way.
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 153.5 miles from Deer Park, WA, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 252 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 68 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.5 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
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 Deer Park, 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 Deer Park, WA
This is one driving day of about 306.9 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Deer Park, 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 252 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.5 and 302.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.5 mi into trip|~17m in|US 395
Keep slight right at fork onto US 395 toward US 395: Spokane
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 395: Spokane
7
277.6 mi into trip|~5h 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
277.8 mi into trip|~5h 14m 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
302.6 mi into trip|~5h 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
302.9 mi into trip|~5h 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
$65.66 one way
$131.31 round trip
$5.43/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.68
$68.63
$137.26
premium
$5.89
$71.18
$142.36
diesel
$6.28
$75.83
$151.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.1
1
$32.22
$14.73
Efficient EV
76.7
0
$26.85
$12.28
EV Truck/SUV
122.8
1
$42.97
$19.64
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 21, 2026
Origin
Deer Park, WA
Late night
in Deer Park on Friday
Local time
3:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
S 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 21 at 10:43AM PDT until October 23 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Late night
in Federal Way on Friday
Local time
3:11 AM
PDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
NW 2 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 21 at 10:43AM PDT until October 23 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
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
1 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
5h 54m 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 306.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 98% on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 252 miles on I 90, which means you'll be on high-speed, limited-access highways for the vast majority of your travel. The transition to surface roads will happen near the end of your drive, specifically when you exit the main interstate system and begin navigating on State Route 18. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 252 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.5 miles in near US 395.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 306.9 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 13.5 miles (US 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 277.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 277.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,448 ft465 ft
Total Climb
2,439 ft
Total Descent
4,094 ft
Highest Point
2,448 ft
~241.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,983 ft
Notable High Points
2,180 ft at ~175.7 miles+634 ft prominence
2,448 ft at ~241.6 miles+530 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Deer Park, WA and Federal Way, WA, road signs point toward 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 5h 54m. Total distance: 306.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 252 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 21 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.5 miles (US 395): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 277.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 277.8 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Federal Way, WA before the return drive.
