How far is Federal Way, WA from North Yelm, WA?
The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to North Yelm, WA is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in the state of Washington
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Federal Way and North Yelm.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Federal Way and North Yelm.
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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
16.9 mi · 21 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually
2790 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn left onto Mounts Road Southwest
64 m · 7 sec · Mounts Road Southwest
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12
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest
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13
Continue on Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast
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14
Turn left onto Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
61 m · 3 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
1091 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast
35 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast
4.2 mi · 7 min · Yelm Highway Southeast
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19
Continue on Yelm Highway Southeast
122 m · 10 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward WA 510 Alternate
35 m · 2 sec · WA 510 Alternate
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21
Exit the roundabout onto WA 510 Alternate
1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate
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22
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
1 km · 2 min · Killion Road Southeast
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23
Turn left onto West Yelm Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West Yelm Avenue
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24
Turn left onto North 1st Street
100 m · 9 sec · North 1st Street
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25
Continue on 1st Street Northeast
1606 ft · 46 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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26
Turn right onto Railway Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Railway Road Southeast
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27
Turn left onto Canal Road Southeast
1495 ft · 37 sec · Canal Road Southeast
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28
Continue on Wilkenson Road Southeast
2619 ft · 1 min · Wilkenson Road Southeast
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29
Continue on Ordway Drive Southeast
1.1 km · 2 min · Ordway Drive Southeast
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30
Turn left onto Joyce Court Southeast
105 m · 15 sec · Joyce Court Southeast
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Joyce Court Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Federal Way and North Yelm.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 South
Keep slight right
16.9 mi · 00h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving Federal Way and Light Rain Likely near North Yelm.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Federal Way to North Yelm?
The road trip is about 43.6 miles (70.2 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?
DuPont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.7 miles from Federal Way and 21.8 miles from North Yelm.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 4:12 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.06 one way or $16.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Federal Way and Light Rain Likely near North Yelm.
Stop Ideas Near DuPont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Lakewood City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to DuPont.
Centennial Station
Tacoma Dome Station
Centralia station
Tukwila station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and North Yelm. Straight-line distance: 28.32 mi (45.57 km).
#1 Federal Way
A city in King County, Washington.
| Population | 96,307 |
| Coordinates | 47.3223200, -122.3126200 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North Yelm
Census designated place
| Population | 2,906 |
| Coordinates | 46.9631500, -122.6029000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Yelm (-122.6029, 46.96315)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 70 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $8.06 | $16.12 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $8.57 | $17.15 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $8.89 | $17.77 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.