This 189.5-mile drive from Federal Way, WA to Carson, WA takes approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate primarily on I-5, with sections of Evergreen Highway and Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway adding variety. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $40. The route stays within the Pacific Coast region, traversing through Washington state. It offers a straightforward path with a focus on highway travel, suitable for those looking for an efficient journey.
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
94.7 miles from Federal Way, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
133.7 mi
2h 31m
Evergreen Highway
22.3 mi
31m
Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
10.1 mi
13m
I 205
10.1 mi
13m
Lewis and Clark Highway
4.9 mi
6m
Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
2.8 mi
4m
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi
3m
Wind River Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 133.7 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Carson, WA.
1
Start on this road
24 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
158 ft·5 sec·South 312th Street
3
Turn left onto WA 99
1.8 mi·3 min·Pacific Highway South
4
Turn left onto 16th Avenue South
0.5 mi·1 min·16th Avenue South
5
Turn left onto WA 18
497 ft·13 sec·State Route 18
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, TacomaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 5 South: Tacoma
8
Merge onto I 5
7.5 mi·9 min·I 5
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205
10 mi·13 min·I 205
Toward I 205 South: SalemUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 27Toward WA 14: Camas, City CenterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward WA 14 East: CamasUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto WA 14
5.6 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on WA 14
3.9 mi·5 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
85 ft·1 sec·Lewis and Clark Highway
16
Continue on WA 14
0.9 mi·1 min·Lewis and Clark Highway
17
Enter roundabout onto WA 14
102 ft·1 sec·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
18
Continue on WA 14
4.5 mi·6 min·Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway
19
Continue on WA 14
22 mi·31 min·Evergreen Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on WA 14
0.7 mi·2 min·2nd Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on WA 14
2.8 mi·4 min·Lewis and Clark Trail Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto Wind River Road
196 ft·8 sec·Wind River Road
Toward Carson
23
Continue on Wind River Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Wind River Road
Toward Carson
24
Turn right onto Hot Springs Avenue
270 ft·9 sec·Hot Springs Avenue
25
Turn right onto 1st Street
196 ft·8 sec·1st Street
26
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the under four-hour duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving Federal Way in the morning to maximize daylight for your drive to Carson. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 130 miles, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before you transition off I-5. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, as the $40 estimate is based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency.
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 94.7 miles from Federal Way, WA, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.7 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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.7 miles or 1h 50m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carson, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 189.5 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Federal Way, 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 5 for about 133.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 146.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the exit toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
6
10.3 mi into trip|~15m in|I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|I 205
Keep slight right at fork onto I 205 toward I 205 South: Salem
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 South: Salem
8
146.6 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward WA 14: Camas, City Center
7
146.7 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 14 East: Camas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward WA 14 East: Camas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.66 one way
$79.32 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$41.59
$83.19
premium
$5.77
$43.03
$86.07
diesel
$5.61
$41.84
$83.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.9
0
$19.90
$9.10
Efficient EV
47.4
0
$16.58
$7.58
EV Truck/SUV
75.8
0
$26.53
$12.13
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Federal Way, WA
Night
in Federal Way on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
SW 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Carson, WA
Night
in Carson on Saturday
Local time
9:18 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Ridgefield, WA
95 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 76% of the journey on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 133.7 miles along I-5, offering a consistent pace. While much of the route utilizes high-speed highways, you'll experience a shift as you transition onto Evergreen Highway and Southeast Lewis and Clark Highway, which may offer a different driving feel. This blend provides a mix of efficient travel and potentially more localized road experiences.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.7 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Evergreen Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 189.5 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Federal Way, WA to Carson, WA, road signs begin pointing toward City Center along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 189.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.7 miles on I 5. 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 Carson, 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 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles (I 205): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Carson, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
