This 92.4-mile drive from Hoquiam, WA to Federal Way, WA takes approximately 2 hours and 6 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey perfect for a single day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $19. You'll primarily travel on I 5 and WA 8, experiencing a mix of road types as you move from the Pacific Coast region towards the Puget Sound area. Given its manageable length and duration, this route is ideal for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.2 miles from Hoquiam, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
38.8 mi
48m
WA 8
21.1 mi
26m
Olympic Highway
19.1 mi
25m
US 101
5.4 mi
7m
Simpson Avenue
2.9 mi
7m
East Wishkah Street
1.4 mi
2m
South 320th Street
0.8 mi
2m
West Market Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 38.8 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoquiam, WA and Federal Way, WA.
1
Start on WA 109
2.9 mi·7 min·Simpson Avenue
2
Turn slight right onto US 101
0.4 mi·1 min·North Park Street
3
Turn left onto West Market Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Market Street
4
Enter roundabout onto South F Street
21 ft·0 sec·South F Street
5
Continue on South F Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·South F Street
6
Turn left onto US 12
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Heron Street
7
Continue on US 12
474 ft·13 sec·Hornsby Way
8
Turn right onto US 12
1.4 mi·2 min·East Wishkah Street
9
Continue on US 12
19 mi·25 min·Olympic Highway
10
Continue on WA 8
21 mi·26 min·WA 8
11
Merge onto US 101
5.4 mi·7 min·US 101
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
13
Merge onto I 5
29 mi·36 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
10 mi·12 min·I 5
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·51 sec
Exit 143Toward Federal Way, South 320th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto South 320th Street
0.8 mi·2 min·South 320th Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto WA 99
0.5 mi·55 sec·Pacific Highway South
18
Turn right onto South 312th Street
158 ft·5 sec·South 312th Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right
24 ft·1 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over two hours, this route offers flexibility for when you depart. Consider an early morning start to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Federal Way. There are no designated stops, but you'll find plenty of services along I 5 if you need to refuel or take a break. The longest stretch without services is 38.8 miles on I 5, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering that segment. This trip is easily accomplished in one day, allowing you to be spontaneous with your schedule.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.2 miles from Hoquiam, WA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.8 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 20 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.2 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 Hoquiam, 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 Hoquiam, WA
This is one driving day of about 92.4 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Hoquiam, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 38.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.9 and 92.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
51.9 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|I 5
Merge onto I 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
80.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m 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
90.7 mi into trip|~2h 2m 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
91 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|South 320th Street
Turn left onto South 320th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
92.4 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|South 312th Street
Turn right onto South 312th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.34 one way
$38.68 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$20.28
$40.56
premium
$5.77
$20.98
$41.97
diesel
$5.61
$20.40
$40.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.7
0
$9.70
$4.44
Efficient EV
23.1
0
$8.09
$3.70
EV Truck/SUV
37
0
$12.94
$5.91
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 Jun 22, 2022
Origin
Hoquiam, WA
Morning
in Hoquiam on Sunday
Local time
9:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Federal Way, WA
Morning
in Federal Way on Sunday
Local time
9:31 AM
PDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 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
2h 6m 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.
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 92.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway-focused, with 71% of it being on major roadways like I 5 and WA 8. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 38.8 miles on I 5, offering a consistent pace. While much of the drive is on faster roads, the inclusion of Olympic Highway provides some variation. Expect a driving experience that balances efficiency with moments of more local road engagement as you progress toward Federal Way.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.8 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and WA 8. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.9 miles in near I 5.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 92.4 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 51.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 6m. Total distance: 92.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.8 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.9 miles (I 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.7 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Federal Way, WA before heading back.
