How far is Federal Way, WA from Elk Plain, WA?
The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Elk Plain, WA is about 27 miles (43.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19 miles (30.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The third most populous city in Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Federal Way and Elk Plain.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way and Elk Plain.
-
1
Start on the route
7 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn left onto South 312th Street
48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street
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3
Turn left onto Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi · 3 min · Pacific Highway South
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4
Turn left onto 16th Avenue South
2572 ft · 1 min · 16th Avenue South
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5
Turn left onto State Route 18
152 m · 14 sec · State Route 18
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma
633 ft · 16 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma
1763 ft · 45 sec
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8
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
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9
Keep slight right
6.2 mi · 8 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward WA 512 East: South Tacoma Way, Puyallup
2003 ft · 49 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on WA 512 East: Puyallup
720 ft · 20 sec
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12
Turn left
1 km · 48 sec
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Steele Street
1276 ft · 39 sec
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14
Turn left onto Steele Street South
2390 ft · 1 min · Steele Street South
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15
Continue on 116th Street South
1810 ft · 46 sec · 116th Street South
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16
Continue on Spanaway Loop Road South
3.9 mi · 8 min · Spanaway Loop Road South
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17
Continue on Cross Base Highway
3118 ft · 1 min · Cross Base Highway
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18
Turn right onto Pacific Avenue South
1.6 km · 2 min · Pacific Avenue South
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19
Continue on Mountain Highway East
2.7 mi · 5 min · Mountain Highway East
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20
Turn left onto 224th Street East
11 m · 1 sec · 224th Street East
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 224th Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Federal Way and Elk Plain.
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.
I 5 South
Merge slight left
7.47 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Federal Way and Mostly Sunny near Elk Plain.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Federal Way to Elk Plain?
The road trip is about 27 miles (43.4 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Tacoma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Federal Way and 13.5 miles from Elk Plain.
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 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.97 one way or $9.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Federal Way and Mostly Sunny near Elk Plain.
Stop Ideas Near Tacoma
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Auburn Building Permits
Lakewood City Hall
Auburn Community & Event Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tacoma.
Tacoma Dome Station
Tukwila station
Centennial Station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and Elk Plain. Straight-line distance: 19.02 mi (30.61 km).
#1 Federal Way
A city in King County, Washington.
| Population | 96,307 |
| Coordinates | 47.3223200, -122.3126200 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elk Plain
Census designated place
| Population | 14,205 |
| Coordinates | 47.0531600, -122.3976200 |
| Altitude | 132 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elk Plain (-122.39762, 47.05316)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $4.97 | $9.94 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $5.48 | $10.96 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $5.19 | $10.39 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.