Origin
Fern Prairie, WA
Night in Fern Prairie on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fern Prairie, WA to Federal Way, WA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
154.1 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fern Prairie, WA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Fern Prairie, WA to Federal Way, WA is 154.1 miles and takes about 3h 4m via I 5, I 205, and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily sticks to major highways, making it a straightforward trip across Washington's Pacific Coast region. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a functional rather than a scenic journey. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this route is ideal for a quick transit, whether you're moving or just need to cover ground efficiently.
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
77 miles from Fern Prairie, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 135.5 mi | 2h 34m |
| I 205 | 6.1 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard | 4 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Ingle Road | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 28th Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| WA 500 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South 320th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Northeast Brunner Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 135.5 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fern Prairie, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on this road
9 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto WA 500
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Northeast 267th Avenue
3
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Brunner Road
4
Continue on WA 500
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northeast 25th Street
5
Continue on WA 500
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Northeast Dresser Road
6
Continue on Northeast 28th Street
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 28th Street
7
Continue on Northeast Goodwin Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northeast Goodwin Road
8
Turn right onto Northeast Ingle Road
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Ingle Road
9
Continue on Northeast 199th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Northeast 199th Avenue
10
At end of road, turn left onto WA 500
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
Northeast 58th Street
11
Continue on WA 500
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
12
Enter roundabout onto WA 500
103 ft
·
2 sec
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
13
Continue on WA 500
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
14
Turn left onto WA 500
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 500
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 205
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
I 205
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 5
126 mi
·
2 hr 21 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
10 mi
·
12 min
·
I 5
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 143
Toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto South 320th Street
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
South 320th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto WA 99
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Pacific Highway South
22
Turn right onto South 312th Street
158 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 4m duration and 154.1-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon will help you avoid the peak rush hour traffic often found on I 5. Plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 5, as services can sometimes be spaced out. The $32 fuel cost estimate suggests being mindful of gas prices along the 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 77 miles from Fern Prairie, WA, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.5 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 34 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
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 Fern Prairie, 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 Fern Prairie, WA
This is one driving day of about 154.1 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Fern Prairie, 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 135.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77 miles from Fern Prairie, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 152.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
WA 500 / Northeast 267th Avenue
Turn left onto WA 500 / Northeast 267th Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
10 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 205 North: Seattle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 205 North: Seattle
6
142.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
152.4 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
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 143
Toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
6
152.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
|
South 320th Street
Turn left onto South 320th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.25 one way
$64.50 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $33.82 | $67.65 |
| premium | $5.77 | $34.99 | $69.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.02 | $68.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.18 | $7.40 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.48 | $6.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.57 | $9.86 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Night in Federal Way on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
SW 6 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM 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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 4m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 5 and I 205. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 135.5 miles on I 5. While the majority of the journey is on fast-paced roads, there's a brief section on Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard that offers a slight change of pace before merging back into highway travel. Expect a predictable driving experience largely dominated by the efficiency of the interstate system.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.5 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 205. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near WA 500 / Northeast 267th Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 154.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 (WA 500 / Northeast 267th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 3h 4m. Total distance: 154.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.5 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (WA 500 / Northeast 267th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.3 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Federal Way, WA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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