Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
55.8 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marysville, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Connecting Federal Way to Marysville, this 55.8-mile journey is a straightforward transit across the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Plan for a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $12, it is an economical route for commuters or weekend travelers. Because the drive is relatively short and manageable, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, you will find this transition between cities efficient and easy to navigate.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 51.7 mi | 1h 4m |
| Pacific Highway South | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| South 272nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 4th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| State Avenue | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Marysville, WA.
Start on this road
Turn left onto South 312th Street
Turn right onto WA 99
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Take the exit
Turn right onto WA 528
Turn right onto WA 529
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 27.9 miles from Federal Way, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 55.5 — 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 right onto South 272nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I-5 North: Seattle
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward WA 528 East: Marysville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto WA 528 / 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$11.68 one way
$23.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $12.25 | $24.49 |
| premium | $5.77 | $12.67 | $25.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.86 | $2.68 |
| Efficient EV | 14 | 0 | $4.88 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
9:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Rain
Destination
Morning in Marysville on Sunday
Local time
9:48 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 93% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on I-5, which accounts for the vast majority of your journey, including a single, uninterrupted stretch of 51.7 miles. The route begins with brief local navigation via South 272nd Street and Pacific Highway South before merging onto the interstate. While it lacks the winding character of rural backroads, the consistent highway pace helps you cover the distance quickly. Prepare for a steady, functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical turns.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Pacific Highway South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 312th Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 12m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South 312th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (South 272nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
449 ft
Total Descent
892 ft
Highest Point
475 ft
~43.9 mi in
Elevation Range
469 ft
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 12m. Total distance: 55.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, 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 Marysville, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.
