Origin
Federal Way, WA
Late night in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
4:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Federal Way, WA to Tacoma, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
20m
Distance
12.3 mi
20 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward commute between Federal Way and Tacoma, this 12.3-mile trip is an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Expect to spend about 20 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate within the Pacific Coast region. You will primarily rely on a combination of I-5, Pacific Highway South, and 16th Avenue South to complete the journey. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, this is an incredibly budget-friendly drive that requires no overnight stops. Because the duration is so brief, you have total flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows. Whether you are running errands or heading to the city for a meeting, this route offers a practical and efficient connection between these two Washington hubs.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 7.4 mi | 9m |
| Pacific Highway South | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| 16th Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| I 705 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Tacoma Avenue South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 15th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| State Route 18 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 312th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 7.4 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way, WA and Tacoma, 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, Tacoma
Use 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
7.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 5
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 133
Toward WA 7 South, I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome
10
Keep slight right at fork
334 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 705 North: City Center
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 705
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 705
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward A Street, City Center
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on South 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
South 15th Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Tacoma Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Tacoma Avenue South
17
Turn right onto South 11th Street
43 ft
·
1 sec
·
South 11th Street
18
Arrive at destination
South 11th Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 11.5 — 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
7
10.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome Station
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 705 North: City Center, Tacoma Dome St...
7
10.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 705 North: City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 705 North: City Center
8
11.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward A Street, City Center
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward A Street, City Center
9
11.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight left at fork toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward South 15 Street, Pacific Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.57 one way
$5.15 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $2.70 | $5.40 |
| premium | $5.77 | $2.79 | $5.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.72 | $5.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.29 | $0.59 |
| Efficient EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.08 | $0.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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.
Destination
Tacoma, WA
Late night in Tacoma on Sunday
Local time
4:51 AM
PDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
12 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
20m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 12.3-mile journey is heavily highway-focused, with 64% of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a primary interstate feel, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 7.4 miles on I-5. The road personality transitions from local access roads like 16th Avenue South and Pacific Highway South into the more consistent, high-speed environment of the interstate. While it serves as a functional link rather than a scenic tour, the drive remains predictable and steady. Expect a standard interstate experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical turns or winding backroads, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination in Tacoma.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 7.4 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Pacific Highway South. 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 Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 12.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 20m.
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 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Federal Way, WA and Tacoma, WA, road signs point toward Tacoma Dome, Tacoma Dome Station and City Center.
Tacoma Dome
10.3 mi in
|
~15m
Tacoma Dome Station
10.5 mi in
|
~15m
City Center
11.2 mi in
|
~17m
About the Cities
Starting in Federal Way, WA
Full guide →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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 20m. Total distance: 12.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 7.4 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Tacoma, WA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tacoma, WA before heading back.
How this page is built
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
Continue From Tacoma, WA
More trips to Tacoma, WA
Explore more options from Federal Way, WA or browse trips ending in Tacoma, WA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse WA road trips.