How far is Fall City, WA from Federal Way, WA?

The driving distance from Fall City, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 38.5 miles (62 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26 miles (41.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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
38.55 mi
00h 49m
Flight
26.05 mi
41.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fall City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.05 mi
Kilometers
41.93 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
38.55 mi
Kilometers
62.04 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Tue, May 12, 9:03 PM PDT
Return by in Fall City
Tue, May 12, 9:53 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fall City
2026-05-12T20:13
Arrive Federal Way
Tue, May 12, 9:03 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:50 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fall City
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
Maple Valley
WA

City in King County, Washington, United States

From Fall City
18.3 mi
00h 24m
To Federal Way
20.2 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 12:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 mph NW
Destination
81°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fall City and Federal Way.

  1. 1

    Start on 338th Place Southeast

    29 m · 6 sec · 338th Place Southeast

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Southeast Redmond-Fall City Road

    28 m · 3 sec · Southeast Redmond-Fall City Road

  3. 3

    Turn slight right

    48 m · 7 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Preston Fall City Road Southeast

    4 mi · 8 min · Preston Fall City Road Southeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Southeast High Point Way

    2484 ft · 1 min · Southeast High Point Way

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Preston-Fall City Road

    890 ft · 26 sec · Preston-Fall City Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 90 East: Spokane

    1826 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward SR 18 West, Snoqualmie Parkway: Snoqualmie, Aubern

    927 ft · 23 sec

  10. 10

    Turn slight right onto SR 18: Auburn, Tacoma

    716 ft · 20 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Snoqualmie Parkway

    860 ft · 11 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

  12. 12

    Continue on State Route 18

    24.2 mi · 31 min · State Route 18

  13. 13

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

    1109 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

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

    1523 ft · 26 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on West Valley Highway

    762 ft · 24 sec

  16. 16

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

    736 ft · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

  18. 18

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

    21 m · 2 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

    1 mi · 2 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

  20. 20

    Continue on South 320th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  22. 22

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  23. 23

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fall City 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
24 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
62.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Route 18
24.2 mi · 63%
Preston Fall City Road Southeast
3.97 mi · 10%
I 90 East
2.85 mi · 7%
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.78 mi · 5%
South 320th Street
1.39 mi · 4%
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Route 18

Continue on State Route 18

24.2 mi · 00h 31m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
26 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maple Valley
00h 24m from Fall City
Leave By
4:50 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving Fall City 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 Fall City to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 38.5 miles (62 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Maple Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.3 miles from Fall City and 20.2 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 26 miles (41.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 4:50 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.12 one way or $14.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Fall City and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near Maple Valley

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 Maple Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 12.9 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 11.7 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
City of Auburn
Meeting point 11.8 mi away

City of Auburn

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 3.9/5 15 reviews City Hall,City government office
City Hall Saloon & Eatery
Nearby stop 10 mi away

City Hall Saloon & Eatery

Enumclaw , WA
35317 314th Way SE, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Rating 4.5/5 315 reviews Bar

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maple Valley.

RAIL

Tukwila station

17 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

31 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

33 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

34 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fall City and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 26.05 mi (41.93 km).

Fall City

#1 Fall City

Census designated place

Population1,993
Coordinates47.5673200, -121.8887300
Altitude32
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: 338th Place Southeast (-121.888934, 47.567372)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 62 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.36 gal
5.15 L · about $7.12
Round trip
$14.23
2.72 gal · 10.3 L
Estimated CO2
12.1 kg one way
Round trip: 24.2 kg / 53 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $7.12 $14.23
Mid-grade $5.57 $7.57 $15.14
Premium $5.77 $7.85 $15.70
Diesel $5.47 $7.44 $14.87

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 · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Fall City and Federal Way. The current time is 20:13:37.

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.