How far is Key Center, WA from Federal Way, WA?

The driving distance from Key Center, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 35.4 miles (57 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 20.3 miles (32.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m 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
35.42 mi
00h 47m
Flight
20.31 mi
32.68 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Key Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
20.31 mi
Kilometers
32.68 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.42 mi
Kilometers
57.01 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Thu, Oct 15, 12:19 PM PDT
Return by in Key Center
Thu, Oct 15, 1:06 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Key Center
2026-10-15T11:32
Arrive Federal Way
Thu, Oct 15, 12:19 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:56 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Key Center
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
Fircrest
WA

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

From Key Center
17.5 mi
00h 23m
To Federal Way
18 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 5:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph NE
Destination
72°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Key Center and Federal Way.

  1. 1

    Start on Key Peninsula Highway Northwest

    2.8 mi · 5 min · Key Peninsula Highway Northwest

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi · 6 min

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Goldman Drive Northwest

    1.1 km · 2 min · Goldman Drive Northwest

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.4 km · 2 min

  5. 5

    Turn straight

    145 m · 10 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Purdy Drive Northwest

    1.3 km · 1 min · Purdy Drive Northwest

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight toward WA 16 East

    1834 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    13.1 mi · 17 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    1.5 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    683 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    1356 ft · 19 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  13. 13

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

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
WA 16 East
14.4 mi · 41%
I 5 North
10.7 mi · 30%
Key Peninsula Highway Northwest
6.11 mi · 17%
South 320th Street
0.83 mi · 2%
Purdy Drive Northwest
0.78 mi · 2%
Goldman Drive Northwest
0.7 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

WA 16 East

Merge slight right

13.1 mi · 00h 17m

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
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
20.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fircrest
00h 23m from Key Center
Leave By
4:56 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Key Center 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 Key Center to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 35.4 miles (57 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Fircrest is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Key Center and 18 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 20.3 miles (32.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 4:56 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.79 one way or $13.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Key Center and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near Fircrest

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 Fircrest and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 4.6 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 14.8 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
City of Puyallup
Meeting point 12.4 mi away

City of Puyallup

Puyallup , WA
333 S Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
Rating 3.3/5 23 reviews City Hall
Tacoma City Hall
Nearby stop 4.5 mi away

Tacoma City Hall

Tacoma , WA
747 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 4.7/5 6 reviews Municipal administration office

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

7 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

32 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

Centennial Station

35 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

King Street Station

42 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Key Center and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 20.31 mi (32.68 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Key Center

Situated on the Key Peninsula within Pierce County, Washington, this unincorporated area rests at an elevation of 184 feet above sea level.

Population0
Coordinates47.3406500, -122.7454100
Altitude56
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: Key Peninsula Highway Key Peninsula North (-122.745317, 47.340617)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 57 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.25 gal
4.73 L · about $6.79
Round trip
$13.59
2.5 gal · 9.46 L
Estimated CO2
11.1 kg one way
Round trip: 22.2 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.44 $6.79 $13.59
Mid-grade $5.72 $7.15 $14.30
Premium $5.98 $7.47 $14.94
Diesel $7.29 $9.12 $18.23

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 Key Center and Federal Way. The current time is 11:32:09.

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.