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

The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Lacey, WA is about 36.7 miles (59 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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
36.65 mi
00h 50m
Flight
31.16 mi
50.15 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
31.16 mi
Kilometers
50.15 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.65 mi
Kilometers
58.98 km
Drive Time
00h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lacey
Wed, Apr 22, 11:35 PM PDT
Return by in Federal Way
Thu, Apr 23, 12:25 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Way
2026-04-22T22:45
Arrive Lacey
Wed, Apr 22, 11:35 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 50m
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 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
Lakewood
WA

The most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.

From Federal Way
18.3 mi
00h 25m
To Lacey
18.3 mi
00h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
10 mph SW
Destination
58°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Pacific Highway South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 16th Avenue South

    2572 ft · 1 min · 16th Avenue South

  5. 5

    Turn left onto State Route 18

    152 m · 14 sec · State Route 18

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North, I 5 South: Seattle, Tacoma

    633 ft · 16 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma

    1763 ft · 45 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    7.5 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    24.8 mi · 31 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Martin Way, College Street, Sleater-Kinney Road North

    1241 ft · 33 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Martin Way East

    722 ft · 19 sec · Martin Way East

  12. 12

    Turn left onto College Street Southeast

    1 mi · 3 min · College Street Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on College Street Southeast

    76 m · 6 sec · College Street Southeast

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · College Street Southeast

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
38.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
32.6 mi · 89%
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi · 5%
College Street Southeast
1.09 mi · 3%
16th Avenue South
0.49 mi · 1%
Martin Way
0.23 mi · 1%
Martin Way East
0.14 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Keep slight right

24.8 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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
31.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lakewood
00h 25m from Federal Way
Leave By
4:50 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Federal Way and Light Rain Likely near Lacey.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 36.7 miles (59 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?

Lakewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.3 miles from Federal Way and 18.3 miles from Lacey.

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

The direct path is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 $6.75 one way or $13.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Federal Way and Light Rain Likely near Lacey.

Stop Ideas Near Lakewood

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 Lakewood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 7.9 mi away

Old City Hall Tacoma

Tacoma , WA
625 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.8/5 5 reviews Coworking space,Restaurant,Retail space rental agency
City of Puyallup
Meeting point 10.1 mi away

City of Puyallup

Puyallup , WA
333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
Rating 3.3/5 23 reviews City Hall
Tacoma City Hall
Nearby stop 7.8 mi away

Tacoma City Hall

Tacoma , WA
747 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.7/5 6 reviews Municipal administration office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

11 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Centennial Station

29 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tukwila station

38 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

50 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and Lacey. Straight-line distance: 31.16 mi (50.15 km).

Federal Way

#1 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Lacey

#2 Lacey

The most populous city in Thurston County, Washington.

Population54,178
Coordinates47.0342600, -122.8231900
Altitude62
CountryUnited States
Start: Federal Way (-122.31262, 47.32232)
End: Lacey (-122.82319, 47.03426)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 59 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.29 gal
4.9 L · about $6.75
Round trip
$13.50
2.58 gal · 9.8 L
Estimated CO2
11.5 kg one way
Round trip: 22.9 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $6.75 $13.50
Mid-grade $5.57 $7.18 $14.36
Premium $5.77 $7.44 $14.89
Diesel $5.47 $7.05 $14.10

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Way and Lacey. The current time is 22:45:41.

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.