How far is Federal Way, WA from Birch Bay, WA?

The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Birch Bay, WA is about 131.7 miles (212 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112 miles (180.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m 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
131.74 mi
02h 43m
Flight
112.03 mi
180.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Federal Way.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.03 mi
Kilometers
180.29 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.74 mi
Kilometers
212.02 km
Drive Time
02h 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 02h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Birch Bay
Fri, Apr 17, 6:23 PM PDT
Return by in Federal Way
Fri, Apr 17, 9:06 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Way
2026-04-17T15:39
Arrive Birch Bay
Fri, Apr 17, 6:23 PM PDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM PDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Federal Way
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
Smokey Point
WA

Census designated place

From Federal Way
65.8 mi
01h 21m
To Birch Bay
65.9 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph WSW
Destination
51°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way and Birch Bay.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    7 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 8 sec · South 312th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Pacific Highway South

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South 272nd Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · South 272nd Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward I-5 North: Seattle

    2172 ft · 55 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    122.7 mi · 2 hr 26 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Birch Bay, Lynden

    1514 ft · 43 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Birch Bay Lynden Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Birch Bay Lynden Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Blaine Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Blaine Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Alderson Road

    1.3 km · 2 min · Alderson Road

  11. 11

    Turn right

    14 m · 3 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-5 North
123 mi · 94%
Birch Bay Lynden Road
3 mi · 2%
Pacific Highway South
2.48 mi · 2%
Blaine Road
1.26 mi · 1%
Alderson Road
0.83 mi · 1%
South 272nd Street
0.69 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-5 North

Merge slight left

123 mi · 02h 26m

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
02h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.7 mi
112 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Smokey Point
01h 21m from Federal Way
Leave By
1:04 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Federal Way and Partly Sunny near Birch Bay.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Federal Way to Birch Bay?

The road trip is about 131.7 miles (212 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

Smokey Point is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.8 miles from Federal Way and 65.9 miles from Birch Bay.

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

The direct path is about 112 miles (180.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.7 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 1:04 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.33 one way or $48.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Federal Way and Partly Sunny near Birch Bay.

Stop Ideas Near Smokey Point

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Smokey Point, 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 Smokey Point.

RAIL

Stanwood station

16 mi away
27111 Florence Way
RAIL

Everett Station

19 mi away
3201 Smith Ave.
RAIL

Skagit Transportation Center

33 mi away
105 East Kincaid St.
BUS

Monroe, Washington

36 mi away
118 North Lewis St., Suite 112

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and Birch Bay. Straight-line distance: 112.03 mi (180.29 km).

Federal Way

#1 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Birch Bay

#2 Birch Bay

Census designated place

Population8,413
Coordinates48.9178900, -122.7446200
Altitude4
CountryUnited States
Start: Federal Way (-122.31262, 47.32232)
End: Birch Bay (-122.74462, 48.91789)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 212 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.65 gal
17.6 L · about $24.33
Round trip
$48.67
9.3 gal · 35.2 L
Estimated CO2
41.3 kg one way
Round trip: 82.6 kg / 182 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $24.33 $48.67
Mid-grade $5.57 $25.89 $51.77
Premium $5.77 $26.84 $53.67
Diesel $5.47 $25.42 $50.84

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Way and Birch Bay. The current time is 15:39:58.

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.