Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 18m
Distance
281.4 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Airway Heights, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Federal Way, WA to Airway Heights, WA is 281.4 miles and takes about 5h 18m via I 90 and State Route 18, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across Washington State, moving from the Pacific Coast region inland. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's well-suited for a single day of travel. Expect mostly interstate driving with a brief transition to local roads near the end. This route is practical for getting from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
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
140.7 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 246.2 mi | 4h 26m |
| State Route 18 | 24.4 mi | 31m |
| South Hayford Road | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Peasley Canyon Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| West Sunset Highway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| South 320th Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Pacific Highway South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Aero Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Airway Heights, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Turn left onto WA 99
Turn left onto South 320th Street
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
Enter roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road
Turn left onto West Valley Highway North
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto WA 18
Continue on WA 18
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Enter roundabout onto WA 902
Continue on WA 902
Enter roundabout onto WA 902
Continue on WA 902
Enter roundabout onto West Geiger Boulevard
Continue on West Geiger Boulevard
Turn left onto South Hayford Road
Turn straight
Turn left onto US 2
Enter roundabout onto West Sunset Highway
Continue on West Sunset Highway
Turn right onto South Lundstrom Street
Turn left onto West 12th Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 18m estimated drive time, leaving Federal Way in the morning will allow you to reach Airway Heights well before evening. You'll be on the road for a significant duration, so consider one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch on I 90 means you can cover a lot of ground before needing to exit. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you approach the 246-mile mark on I 90, as services can be more spread out in some sections before the final turn off onto South Hayford Road.
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.
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 62 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 42m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Airway Heights, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Federal Way, 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 Federal Way, WA
This is one driving day of about 281.4 miles and 5h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 140.7 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 4.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto West Valley Highway North
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North Bend
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 18 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto WA 18 / State Route 18
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$58.89 one way
$117.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $61.76 | $123.53 |
| premium | $5.77 | $63.90 | $127.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.13 | $124.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.55 | $13.51 |
| Efficient EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.62 | $11.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.40 | $18.01 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Federal Way on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
Destination
Evening in Airway Heights on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
PDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the route utilizing major highways like I 90. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch on I 90 for 246.2 miles. The initial part of the journey will feel like a typical interstate cruise. As you progress, the landscape will shift, and you'll eventually transition onto South Hayford Road for the final approach to Airway Heights. The overall character is one of steady progress on well-maintained roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Route 18. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 312th Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 281.4 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (West Valley Highway North): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 281.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Federal Way, WA or browse trips ending in Airway Heights, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
