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

The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Rochester, WA is about 60.8 miles (97.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 50.6 miles (81.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m 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
60.82 mi
01h 17m
Flight
50.55 mi
81.36 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
50.55 mi
Kilometers
81.36 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
60.82 mi
Kilometers
97.88 km
Drive Time
01h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rochester
Thu, Oct 15, 6:46 PM PDT
Return by in Federal Way
Thu, Oct 15, 8:04 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Way
2026-10-15T17:29
Arrive Rochester
Thu, Oct 15, 6:46 PM PDT
Route Timing
01h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM PDT

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

Leave by
3:54 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
30.4 mi
00h 38m
To Rochester
30.4 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 12:00 PM PDT
Wind
6 mph NNW
Destination
71°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 12:00 PM PDT
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    45.4 mi · 54 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West: Aberdeen, Tenino

    2279 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    2378 ft · 47 sec

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    44 m · 3 sec

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · US Highway 12

Car Route Details

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

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
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
53.2 mi · 87%
US 12 West
4.63 mi · 8%
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi · 3%
16th Avenue South
0.49 mi · 1%
I 5 North
0.12 mi
State Route 18
0.09 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Keep slight right

45.4 mi · 00h 54m

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 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.2 mi
50.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
DuPont
00h 38m from Federal Way
Leave By
3:54 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Federal Way and Sunny near Rochester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 60.8 miles (97.9 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 30.4 miles from Federal Way and 30.4 miles from Rochester.

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

The direct path is about 50.6 miles (81.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 3:54 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.69 one way or $23.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

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.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 9.2 mi away

Steilacoom Town Of Firsts

Steilacoom , WA
1030 Roe St, Steilacoom, WA 98388
City Hall,Park
Lakewood City Hall
Meeting point 11.6 mi away

Lakewood City Hall

DuPont
6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Rating 3.8/5 19 reviews City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Nearby stop 4 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 Rochester. Straight-line distance: 50.55 mi (81.36 km).

Federal Way

#1 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Rochester

Situated within the Chehalis River basin in Thurston County at an elevation of 144 feet, this unincorporated community lies southwest of Olympia.

Population0
Coordinates46.8217700, -123.0962500
Altitude44
CountryUnited States
Start: Federal Way (-122.31262, 47.32232)
End: Rochester (-123.09625, 46.82177)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 98 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 45m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.15 gal
8.12 L · about $11.69
Round trip
$23.37
4.3 gal · 16.24 L
Estimated CO2
19.1 kg one way
Round trip: 38.2 kg / 84 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.44 $11.69 $23.37
Mid-grade $5.72 $12.30 $24.59
Premium $5.98 $12.85 $25.70
Diesel $7.29 $15.68 $31.36

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Way and Rochester. The current time is 17:29:04.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.