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

The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Rainier, WA is about 46.6 miles (75 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.8 miles (56 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m 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
46.59 mi
01h 11m
Flight
34.82 mi
56.03 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
34.82 mi
Kilometers
56.03 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.59 mi
Kilometers
74.98 km
Drive Time
01h 11m

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 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rainier
Tue, May 5, 6:40 AM PDT
Return by in Federal Way
Tue, May 5, 7:52 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Way
2026-05-05T05:28
Arrive Rainier
Tue, May 5, 6:40 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:06 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
DuPont
WA

City in the state of Washington

From Federal Way
23.2 mi
00h 35m
To Rainier
23.3 mi
00h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    16.9 mi · 21 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Mounts Road, Old Nisqually

    2790 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Mounts Road Southwest

    64 m · 7 sec · Mounts Road Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest

    2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest

  13. 13

    Continue on Old Pacific Highway Southeast

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Reservation Road Southeast

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

    61 m · 3 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

    1091 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast

    35 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast

    4.2 mi · 7 min · Yelm Highway Southeast

  19. 19

    Continue on Yelm Highway Southeast

    122 m · 10 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward WA 510 Alternate

    35 m · 2 sec · WA 510 Alternate

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto WA 510 Alternate

    1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast

    1 km · 2 min · Killion Road Southeast

  23. 23

    Turn left onto West Yelm Avenue

    1384 ft · 41 sec · West Yelm Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Longmire Street Southeast

    1092 ft · 36 sec · Longmire Street Southeast

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Southwest Mosman Avenue

    1514 ft · 42 sec · Southwest Mosman Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on Southeast Mosman Avenue

    130 m · 18 sec · Southeast Mosman Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 1st Street South

    687 ft · 23 sec · 1st Street South

  28. 28

    Continue on State Route 507

    5.2 mi · 8 min · State Route 507

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Centre Street South

    38 m · 4 sec · Centre Street South

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Centre Street South

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
1 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
64.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
24.7 mi · 53%
State Route 507
5.19 mi · 11%
Yelm Highway Southeast
4.27 mi · 9%
Reservation Road Southeast
2.74 mi · 6%
Nisqually Road Southwest
2.15 mi · 5%
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

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.

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 11m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.8 mi
34.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
DuPont
00h 35m from Federal Way
Leave By
4:06 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Federal Way and Sunny near Rainier.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 46.6 miles (75 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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 23.2 miles from Federal Way and 23.3 miles from Rainier.

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

The direct path is about 34.8 miles (56 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 4:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.58 one way or $17.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Federal Way and Sunny near Rainier.

Stop Ideas Near DuPont

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 DuPont and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 12.4 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 14.8 mi away

City of Puyallup

Puyallup , WA
333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
Rating 3.3/5 23 reviews City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Nearby stop 10.9 mi away

Lacey Community Center

Olympia , WA
6729 Pacific Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98503
Rating 4.5/5 280 reviews Community center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Centennial Station

17 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

23 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Centralia station

49 mi away
210 Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

50 mi away
7301 South 158th St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and Rainier. Straight-line distance: 34.82 mi (56.03 km).

Federal Way

#1 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

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

#2 Rainier

City in Thurston County, Washington, United States

Population2,350
Coordinates46.8881500, -122.6884600
Altitude132
CountryUnited States
Start: Federal Way (-122.31262, 47.32232)
End: Rainier (-122.68846, 46.88815)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 75 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.64 gal
6.22 L · about $8.58
Round trip
$17.16
3.28 gal · 12.44 L
Estimated CO2
14.6 kg one way
Round trip: 29.1 kg / 64 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $8.58 $17.16
Mid-grade $5.57 $9.13 $18.26
Premium $5.77 $9.46 $18.93
Diesel $5.47 $8.97 $17.93

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Way and Rainier. The current time is 05:28:32.

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.