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

The driving distance from Forks, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 105.8 miles (170.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
173.26 mi
03h 23m
Flight
105.81 mi
170.28 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
105.81 mi
Kilometers
170.28 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.26 mi
Kilometers
278.84 km
Drive Time
03h 23m

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 03h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Fri, Apr 17, 7:53 PM PDT
Return by in Forks
Fri, Apr 17, 11:16 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forks
2026-04-17T16:30
Arrive Federal Way
Fri, Apr 17, 7:53 PM PDT
Route Timing
03h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM PDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:14 AM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forks
9:00 PM PDT
Early departure recommended

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
Port Townsend
WA

City in and county seat of Jefferson County, Washington

From Forks
86.6 mi
01h 41m
To Federal Way
86.7 mi
01h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 mph W
Destination
57°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Forks Avenue

    55.4 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South Forks Avenue

  2. 2

    Take the exit slight right toward Lauridsen Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · Lauridsen Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South Race Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · South Race Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East 1st Street

    35.9 mi · 54 min · East 1st Street

  5. 5

    Take the exit right

    8.7 mi · 11 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on State Route 104

    700 ft · 10 sec · State Route 104

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Route 104

    31 m · 1 sec · State Route 104

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto State Route 104

    4.9 mi · 6 min · State Route 104

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 104

    36 m · 2 sec · State Route 104

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto State Route 104

    791 ft · 17 sec · State Route 104

  11. 11

    Continue on Hood Canal Floating Bridge

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Hood Canal Floating Bridge

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    617 ft · 13 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 3 Northeast

    23.2 mi · 31 min · State Highway 3 Northeast

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 3 West

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West

  15. 15

    Continue on West State Route 16

    915 ft · 20 sec · West State Route 16

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 16

    26.5 mi · 34 min · State Highway 16

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    1.5 km · 2 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    683 ft · 17 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    1356 ft · 19 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Federal Way, South 320th Street

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  24. 24

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  25. 25

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Forks Avenue
55.4 mi · 32%
East 1st Street
44.6 mi · 26%
State Highway 16
27.5 mi · 16%
State Highway 3 Northeast
23.2 mi · 13%
I 5 North
10.7 mi · 6%
State Route 104
5.21 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

South Forks Avenue

Start on South Forks Avenue

55.4 mi · 01h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+67.4 mi
105.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Port Townsend
01h 41m from Forks
Leave By
10:14 AM PDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Forks and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.8 km) and usually takes 03h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Port Townsend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Forks and 86.7 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 105.8 miles (170.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:14 AM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.97 one way or $63.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Forks and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near Port Townsend

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Port Townsend, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Port Townsend.

RAIL

Stanwood station

33 mi away
27111 Florence Way
RAIL

Everett Station

43 mi away
3201 Smith Ave.
RAIL

Edmonds station

44 mi away
211 Railroad Ave.
RAIL

Skagit Transportation Center

48 mi away
105 East Kincaid St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forks and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 105.81 mi (170.28 km).

Forks

#1 Forks

City in Clallam County, Washington

Population3,914
Coordinates47.9503600, -124.3854900
Altitude93
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: South Forks Avenue (-124.385417, 47.950359)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.14 L · about $31.97
Round trip
$63.95
12.22 gal · 46.28 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $31.97 $63.95
Mid-grade $5.57 $34.01 $68.03
Premium $5.77 $35.26 $70.52
Diesel $5.47 $33.40 $66.81

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Forks and Federal Way. The current time is 16:30:47.

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.