How far is North Yelm, WA from Federal Way, WA?
The driving distance from North Yelm, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 44.3 miles (71.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 05m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in Pierce County, Washington.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Rain Likely
Light Rain Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Yelm and Federal Way.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Yelm and Federal Way.
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1
Start on Joyce Court Southeast
105 m · 19 sec · Joyce Court Southeast
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2
Turn right onto Ordway Drive Southeast
1.1 km · 1 min · Ordway Drive Southeast
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3
Continue on Wilkenson Road Southeast
2619 ft · 1 min · Wilkenson Road Southeast
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4
Continue on Canal Road Southeast
1495 ft · 38 sec · Canal Road Southeast
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5
Turn right onto Railway Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Railway Road Southeast
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6
Turn left onto 1st Street Northeast
1933 ft · 56 sec · 1st Street Northeast
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7
Turn right onto West Yelm Avenue
1.1 km · 2 min · West Yelm Avenue
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8
Turn right onto Killion Road Southeast
1 km · 1 min · Killion Road Southeast
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9
Turn left onto WA 510 Alternate
1.4 km · 2 min · WA 510 Alternate
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Yelm Highway Southeast
39 m · 2 sec · Yelm Highway Southeast
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Yelm Highway Southeast
4.2 mi · 8 min · Yelm Highway Southeast
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
30 m · 2 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
1106 ft · 21 sec · Saint Clair Cutoff Road Southeast
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Reservation Road Southeast
7 m · 1 sec · Reservation Road Southeast
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Reservation Road Southeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · Reservation Road Southeast
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Old Pacific Highway Southeast
1.7 mi · 4 min · Old Pacific Highway Southeast
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17
Continue on Nisqually Road Southwest
2.1 mi · 4 min · Nisqually Road Southwest
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18
Take the ramp right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle
1558 ft · 38 sec
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19
Merge slight left
16.4 mi · 21 min
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20
Keep slight right
10 mi · 13 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Federal Way, South 320th Street
1774 ft · 51 sec
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22
Turn left onto South 320th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street
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23
Turn right onto Pacific Highway South
2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South
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24
Turn right onto South 312th Street
48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street
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25
Turn right
7 m · 2 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Yelm and Federal Way.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 5 North
Merge slight left
16.4 mi · 00h 21m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Light Rain Likely leaving North Yelm and Light Rain Likely near Federal Way.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Yelm to Federal Way?
The road trip is about 44.3 miles (71.3 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Lakewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.1 miles from North Yelm and 22.2 miles from Federal Way.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 4:18 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.16 one way or $16.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around North Yelm and Light Rain Likely near Federal Way.
Stop Ideas Near Lakewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Lakewood City Hall
Lacey Community Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lakewood.
Tacoma Dome Station
Centennial Station
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Yelm and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 28.32 mi (45.57 km).
#1 North Yelm
Census designated place
| Population | 2,906 |
| Coordinates | 46.9631500, -122.6029000 |
| Altitude | 89 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Federal Way
A city in King County, Washington.
| Population | 96,307 |
| Coordinates | 47.3223200, -122.3126200 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 71 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $8.16 | $16.33 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $8.68 | $17.37 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $9.00 | $18.01 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $8.53 | $17.06 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.