How far is Federal Way, WA from Cle Elum, WA?

The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Cle Elum, WA is about 87.8 miles (141.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65 miles (104.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 37m 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
87.77 mi
01h 48m
Flight
65 mi
104.6 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
65 mi
Kilometers
104.6 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
87.77 mi
Kilometers
141.26 km
Drive Time
01h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cle Elum
Fri, Apr 24, 1:02 AM PDT
Return by in Federal Way
Fri, Apr 24, 2:51 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Way
2026-04-23T23:13
Arrive Cle Elum
Fri, Apr 24, 1:02 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:49 AM to 11:49 AM PDT

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

Leave by
2:52 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
Riverbend
WA

Census-designated place in King County, Washington (state), USA

From Federal Way
43.8 mi
00h 54m
To Cle Elum
44 mi
00h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NNW
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way and Cle Elum.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    7 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Pacific Highway South

    2669 ft · 1 min · Pacific Highway South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street

  5. 5

    Continue on South Peasley Canyon Road

    1 mi · 2 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Peasley Canyon Road

    29 m · 2 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Valley Highway North

    102 m · 11 sec · West Valley Highway North

  9. 9

    Take the ramp right toward WA 18 East, WA 167 North: Renton, North Bend

    1154 ft · 28 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 18 East

    1261 ft · 31 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto State Route 18

    24.4 mi · 31 min · State Route 18

  12. 12

    Continue on Snoqualmie Parkway

    656 ft · 8 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Spokane

    3019 ft · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    56.9 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Exit 84: Cle Elum, South Cle Elum

    2706 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Continue on West 1st Street

    993 ft · 38 sec · West 1st Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Pine Street

    149 m · 23 sec · North Pine Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West 2nd Street

    3243 ft · 1 min · West 2nd Street

  19. 19

    Turn right

    63 m · 15 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
57.5 mi · 66%
State Route 18
24.4 mi · 28%
South Peasley Canyon Road
1.79 mi · 2%
South 320th Street
1.41 mi · 2%
West 2nd Street
0.61 mi · 1%
Exit 84
0.51 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 90 East

Merge slight left

56.9 mi · 01h 04m

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 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.8 mi
65 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Riverbend
00h 54m from Federal Way
Leave By
2:52 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Federal Way and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Cle Elum.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Federal Way to Cle Elum?

The road trip is about 87.8 miles (141.3 km) and usually takes 01h 48m 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?

Riverbend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.8 miles from Federal Way and 44 miles from Cle Elum.

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

The direct path is about 65 miles (104.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 2:52 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.22 one way or $32.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Federal Way and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny near Cle Elum.

Stop Ideas Near Riverbend

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

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

RAIL

Tukwila station

37 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
BUS

Skykomish (Eastbound), WA

40 mi away
147 5th Street North
BUS

Skykomish, Washington

40 mi away
90000 Highway 2
BUS

Monroe (Eastbound), WA

46 mi away
19746 US Highway 2

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and Cle Elum. Straight-line distance: 65 mi (104.6 km).

Federal Way

#1 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Cle Elum

#2 Cle Elum

City in Kittitas County, Washington, United States

Population2,098
Coordinates47.1954000, -120.9392500
Altitude583
CountryUnited States
Start: Federal Way (-122.31262, 47.32232)
End: Cle Elum (-120.93925, 47.1954)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 141 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.1 gal
11.72 L · about $16.22
Round trip
$32.44
6.2 gal · 23.44 L
Estimated CO2
27.5 kg one way
Round trip: 55.1 kg / 121 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $16.22 $32.44
Mid-grade $5.57 $17.26 $34.52
Premium $5.77 $17.89 $35.78
Diesel $5.47 $16.95 $33.90

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Way and Cle Elum. The current time is 23:13:45.

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.