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

The driving distance from Ellensburg, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 114 miles (183.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
113.98 mi
01h 59m
Flight
85.91 mi
138.26 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ellensburg.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.91 mi
Kilometers
138.26 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
113.98 mi
Kilometers
183.43 km
Drive Time
01h 59m

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 01h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Tue, Jun 2, 12:39 AM PDT
Return by in Ellensburg
Tue, Jun 2, 2:38 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ellensburg
2026-06-01T22:39
Arrive Federal Way
Tue, Jun 2, 12:39 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:59 AM to 11:59 AM PDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:32 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ellensburg
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Tanner
WA

Town in Washington

From Ellensburg
56.1 mi
00h 59m
To Federal Way
57.9 mi
00h 59m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Tonight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 PM PDT
Wind
0 to 6 mph N
Destination
75°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 9:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph N

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 5th Avenue

    66 m · 12 sec · West 5th Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1142 ft · 43 sec · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West University Way

    2.1 mi · 5 min · West University Way

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    33 m · 6 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    528 ft · 15 sec

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West

    2230 ft · 54 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    80.1 mi · 1 hr 28 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Auburn

    1248 ft · 30 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma

    137 m · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Snoqualmie Parkway

    1780 ft · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

  11. 11

    Continue on State Route 18

    24.2 mi · 31 min · State Route 18

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup

    1109 ft · 19 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway

    1523 ft · 26 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on West Valley Highway

    762 ft · 24 sec

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North

    736 ft · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Peasley Canyon Road

    21 m · 2 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

    1 mi · 2 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

  19. 19

    Continue on South 320th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
80.5 mi · 71%
State Route 18
24.2 mi · 21%
West University Way
2.27 mi · 2%
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.78 mi · 2%
South 320th Street
1.39 mi · 1%
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left

80.1 mi · 01h 28m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.1 mi
85.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tanner
00h 59m from Ellensburg
Leave By
2:32 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Ellensburg and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 114 miles (183.4 km) and usually takes 01h 59m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Tanner is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.1 miles from Ellensburg and 57.9 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 85.9 miles (138.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:32 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.04 one way or $42.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Ellensburg and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near Tanner

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Tanner, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tanner.

RAIL

Tukwila station

37 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
BUS

Skykomish (Eastbound), WA

39 mi away
147 5th Street North
BUS

Skykomish, Washington

39 mi away
90000 Highway 2
BUS

Monroe, Washington

46 mi away
118 North Lewis St., Suite 112

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ellensburg and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 85.91 mi (138.26 km).

Ellensburg

#1 Ellensburg

City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States

Population21,576
Coordinates46.9965100, -120.5478500
Altitude470
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: West 5th Avenue (-120.547851, 46.996526)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 183 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 16m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.02 gal
15.22 L · about $21.04
Round trip
$42.07
8.04 gal · 30.44 L
Estimated CO2
35.7 kg one way
Round trip: 71.5 kg / 158 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $21.04 $42.07
Mid-grade $5.57 $22.38 $44.76
Premium $5.77 $23.20 $46.40
Diesel $5.47 $21.98 $43.95

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Ellensburg and Federal Way. The current time is 22:39:46.

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.