How far is Mountlake Terrace, WA from Federal Way, WA?

The driving distance from Mountlake Terrace, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 23m 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
36.31 mi
00h 41m
Flight
32.19 mi
51.8 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mountlake Terrace.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.19 mi
Kilometers
51.8 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.31 mi
Kilometers
58.43 km
Drive Time
00h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Sun, Apr 19, 1:02 AM PDT
Return by in Mountlake Terrace
Sun, Apr 19, 1:44 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mountlake Terrace
2026-04-19T00:21
Arrive Federal Way
Sun, Apr 19, 1:02 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:42 AM to 7:42 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:06 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Mountlake Terrace
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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
White Center
WA

Census designated place

From Mountlake Terrace
17.6 mi
00h 20m
To Federal Way
18.7 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NNE
Destination
65°F
Sunday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
6 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mountlake Terrace and Federal Way.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    22 m · 8 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 56th Avenue West

    1209 ft · 39 sec · 56th Avenue West

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 236th Street Southwest

    2230 ft · 1 min · 236th Street Southwest

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 South: Seattle

    1490 ft · 36 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Seattle

    1 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    30.2 mi · 38 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward South 272nd Street

    2018 ft · 55 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto South 272nd Street

    2875 ft · 1 min · South 272nd Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Pacific Highway South

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Pacific Highway South

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South 312th Street

    64 m · 9 sec · South 312th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
31.1 mi · 86%
Pacific Highway South
2.49 mi · 7%
South 272nd Street
0.93 mi · 3%
236th Street Southwest
0.42 mi · 1%
56th Avenue West
0.23 mi · 1%
South 312th Street
0.04 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

30.2 mi · 00h 38m

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 41m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.1 mi
32.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
White Center
00h 20m from Mountlake Terrace
Leave By
7:06 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Mountlake Terrace and Chance Light Rain near Federal Way.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mountlake Terrace to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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?

White Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.6 miles from Mountlake Terrace and 18.7 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.70 one way or $13.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Mountlake Terrace and Chance Light Rain near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near White Center

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 White Center and the surrounding midpoint area.
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 4.4 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 7.3 mi away

Renton City Human Services

Renton , WA
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews Social services organization
Renton City Hall
Meeting point 7.3 mi away

Renton City Hall

Renton , WA
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Rating 2.1/5 14 reviews City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 7.3 mi away

Renton Police Department

Renton , WA
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Rating 2.8/5 25 reviews Police department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to White Center.

RAIL

King Street Station

9 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
RAIL

Tukwila station

10 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

11 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

31 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mountlake Terrace and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 32.19 mi (51.8 km).

Mountlake Terrace

#1 Mountlake Terrace

City in Snohomish County, Washington, United States

Population21,315
Coordinates47.7881500, -122.3087400
Altitude140
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: (-122.308737, 47.788086)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.28 gal
4.85 L · about $6.70
Round trip
$13.40
2.56 gal · 9.7 L
Estimated CO2
11.4 kg one way
Round trip: 22.8 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $6.70 $13.40
Mid-grade $5.57 $7.13 $14.25
Premium $5.77 $7.39 $14.77
Diesel $5.47 $7.00 $14.00

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Mountlake Terrace and Federal Way. The current time is 00:21:20.

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.