How far is Bethel, WA from Federal Way, WA?

The driving distance from Bethel, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 35.3 miles (56.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 19 miles (30.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.32 mi
00h 43m
Flight
19.05 mi
30.65 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bethel.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
19.05 mi
Kilometers
30.65 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.32 mi
Kilometers
56.84 km
Drive Time
00h 43m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Wed, Apr 15, 11:24 AM PDT
Return by in Bethel
Wed, Apr 15, 12:08 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bethel
2026-04-15T10:40
Arrive Federal Way
Wed, Apr 15, 11:24 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:44 AM to 7:44 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:02 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Bethel
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
University Place
WA

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

From Bethel
17.6 mi
00h 21m
To Federal Way
17.6 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Wednesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SW
Destination
50°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bethel and Federal Way.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bethel and Federal Way.

  1. 1

    Start on Southeast Cedar Road

    39 m · 11 sec · Southeast Cedar Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Bethel Road Southeast

    1 km · 1 min · Bethel Road Southeast

  3. 3

    Continue on Bethel Burley Road Southeast

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Bethel Burley Road Southeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Southeast Mullenix Road

    1526 ft · 32 sec · Southeast Mullenix Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward WA 16 East: Tacoma

    2084 ft · 51 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    19.8 mi · 25 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    1.5 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    683 ft · 17 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1356 ft · 19 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Federal Way, South 320th Street

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bethel and Federal Way.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
WA 16 East
21.2 mi · 60%
I 5 North
10.7 mi · 30%
Bethel Burley Road Southeast
1.17 mi · 3%
South 320th Street
0.83 mi · 2%
Bethel Road Southeast
0.62 mi · 2%
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

WA 16 East

Merge slight left

19.8 mi · 00h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 43m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
19 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
University Place
00h 21m from Bethel
Leave By
7:02 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Bethel and Showers And Thunderstorms near Federal Way.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bethel to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 35.3 miles (56.8 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

University Place is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Bethel and 17.6 miles from Federal Way.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 19 miles (30.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.54 one way or $13.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Bethel and Showers And Thunderstorms near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near University Place

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around University Place and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 4.7 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
City of Puyallup
Meeting point 12.6 mi away

City of Puyallup

Puyallup , WA
333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
Rating 3.3/5 23 reviews City Hall
Tacoma City Hall
Nearby stop 4.6 mi away

Tacoma City Hall

Tacoma , WA
747 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.7/5 6 reviews Municipal administration office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to University Place.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

10 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

33 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tukwila station

34 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

44 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bethel and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 19.05 mi (30.65 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Bethel

Bethel is a place in Washington, United States.

Population0
Coordinates47.4939800, -122.6312500
Altitude96
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: Southeast Cedar Road (-122.63125, 47.49407)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 57 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.25 gal
4.72 L · about $6.54
Round trip
$13.08
2.5 gal · 9.44 L
Estimated CO2
11.1 kg one way
Round trip: 22.2 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $6.54 $13.08
Mid-grade $5.57 $6.96 $13.92
Premium $5.77 $7.21 $14.43
Diesel $5.47 $6.83 $13.67

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Washington · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Bethel and Federal Way. The current time is 10:40:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.