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

The driving distance from Federal Way, WA to Spanaway, WA is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.2 miles (26 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
23.15 mi
00h 36m
Flight
16.14 mi
25.97 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Federal Way.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.14 mi
Kilometers
25.97 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
23.15 mi
Kilometers
37.26 km
Drive Time
00h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Spanaway
Sun, May 3, 10:49 AM PDT
Return by in Federal Way
Sun, May 3, 11:26 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Way
2026-05-03T10:13
Arrive Spanaway
Sun, May 3, 10:49 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM PDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:18 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Federal Way
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Tacoma
WA

The third most populous city in Washington.

From Federal Way
11.6 mi
00h 18m
To Spanaway
11.6 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 12:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph NNE
Destination
52°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 12:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    6.2 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 512 East: South Tacoma Way, Puyallup

    2003 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on WA 512 East: Puyallup

    720 ft · 20 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 7: Parkland, Spanaway

    2037 ft · 54 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Pacific Avenue South

    3.8 mi · 9 min · Pacific Avenue South

  15. 15

    Continue on Pacific Avenue South

    52 m · 6 sec · Pacific Avenue South

  16. 16

    Turn right

    16 m · 4 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
17 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
73.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
14 mi · 60%
Pacific Avenue South
3.8 mi · 16%
Pacific Highway South
1.8 mi · 8%
WA 512 East
0.52 mi · 2%
16th Avenue South
0.49 mi · 2%
WA 7
0.39 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 36m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
16.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tacoma
00h 18m from Federal Way
Leave By
7:18 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Federal Way and Clear near Spanaway.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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 11.6 miles from Federal Way and 11.6 miles from Spanaway.

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

The direct path is about 16.2 miles (26 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 7:18 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.29 one way or $8.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Federal Way and Clear near Spanaway.

Stop Ideas Near Tacoma

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 Tacoma and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 1.9 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
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 11.6 mi away

Auburn Building Permits

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 4.5/5 2 reviews City government office,Professional services
Lakewood City Hall
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

Lakewood City Hall

Tacoma
6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Rating 3.8/5 19 reviews City Hall
Auburn Community & Event Center
Nearby stop 12 mi away

Auburn Community & Event Center

Auburn , WA
Parks, Arts & Recreation Administration Building, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
Rating 4.5/5 84 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

2 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

28 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

Centennial Station

39 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

King Street Station

39 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Federal Way and Spanaway. Straight-line distance: 16.14 mi (25.97 km).

Federal Way

#1 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

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

#2 Spanaway

Census designated place

Population27,227
Coordinates47.1039900, -122.4345700
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Start: Federal Way (-122.31262, 47.32232)
End: Spanaway (-122.43457, 47.10399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 37 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.82 gal
3.09 L · about $4.29
Round trip
$8.58
1.64 gal · 6.18 L
Estimated CO2
7.3 kg one way
Round trip: 14.6 kg / 32 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $4.29 $8.58
Mid-grade $5.57 $4.56 $9.13
Premium $5.77 $4.73 $9.46
Diesel $5.47 $4.48 $8.97

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Way and Spanaway. The current time is 10:13:29.

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.