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

The driving distance from Poulsbo, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m 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
59.26 mi
01h 09m
Flight
32.55 mi
52.38 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Poulsbo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.55 mi
Kilometers
52.38 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.26 mi
Kilometers
95.37 km
Drive Time
01h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Sun, May 17, 9:58 AM PDT
Return by in Poulsbo
Sun, May 17, 11:07 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Poulsbo
2026-05-17T08:48
Arrive Federal Way
Sun, May 17, 9:58 AM PDT
Route Timing
01h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM PDT

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

Leave by
4:10 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Poulsbo
9:30 PM PDT
Morning start is best

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
Gig Harbor
WA

City in Pierce County, Washington, United States

From Poulsbo
29.6 mi
00h 34m
To Federal Way
29.7 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Sun, May 17 1:00 AM PDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
63°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 17 8:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    21 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Jensen Way Northeast

    3162 ft · 2 min · Jensen Way Northeast

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Front Street Northeast

    1651 ft · 58 sec · Front Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on Northwest Lindvig Way

    1043 ft · 38 sec · Northwest Lindvig Way

  5. 5

    Continue on Northwest Finn Hill Road

    3144 ft · 2 min · Northwest Finn Hill Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward WA 3 South: Bremerton

    1583 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 3 Northwest

    15.4 mi · 20 min · State Highway 3 Northwest

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 3 West

    2.1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 3 West

  9. 9

    Continue on West State Route 16

    915 ft · 20 sec · West State Route 16

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 16

    26.5 mi · 34 min · State Highway 16

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    1.5 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 5 North: Seattle

    683 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1356 ft · 19 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  15. 15

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

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  18. 18

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Poulsbo 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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 16
27.5 mi · 46%
State Highway 3 Northwest
15.4 mi · 26%
I 5 North
10.7 mi · 18%
State Highway 3 West
2.06 mi · 3%
South 320th Street
0.83 mi · 1%
Jensen Way Northeast
0.6 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 16

Continue on State Highway 16

26.5 mi · 00h 34m

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
01h 09m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.7 mi
32.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gig Harbor
00h 34m from Poulsbo
Leave By
4:10 PM PDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Poulsbo 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 Poulsbo to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 59.3 miles (95.4 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?

Gig Harbor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.6 miles from Poulsbo and 29.7 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 32.6 miles (52.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:10 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.94 one way or $21.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Gig Harbor

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 Gig Harbor and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 13.9 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
City Hall Park
Scenic stop 13.1 mi away

City Hall Park

Normandy Park , WA
801 SW 174th St, Normandy Park, WA 98166
Rating 4.6/5 78 reviews Tourist attraction,Playground,Park
Burien City Hall
Meeting point 13.7 mi away

Burien City Hall

Burien , WA
400 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166
Rating 3.3/5 7 reviews City Hall,City government office
Tacoma Municipal Court
Nearby stop 14 mi away

Tacoma Municipal Court

Tacoma , WA
930 Tacoma Ave S #841, Tacoma, WA 98402
Rating 2.1/5 48 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gig Harbor.

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

16 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

29 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

35 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

36 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Poulsbo and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 32.55 mi (52.38 km).

Poulsbo

#1 Poulsbo

City in Kitsap County, Washington, United States

Population11,211
Coordinates47.7359300, -122.6465400
Altitude10
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: (-122.646538, 47.735963)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 95 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.09 gal
7.92 L · about $10.94
Round trip
$21.87
4.18 gal · 15.84 L
Estimated CO2
18.6 kg one way
Round trip: 37.1 kg / 82 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $10.94 $21.87
Mid-grade $5.57 $11.64 $23.27
Premium $5.77 $12.06 $24.12
Diesel $5.47 $11.43 $22.85

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Poulsbo and Federal Way. The current time is 08:48:28.

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.