How far is Seattle, WA from Federal Way, WA?
The driving distance from Seattle, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Washington
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Seattle and Federal Way.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seattle and Federal Way.
-
1
Start on the route
9 m · 8 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Madison Street
62 m · 11 sec · Madison Street
-
3
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
94 m · 15 sec · 4th Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto Spring Street
647 ft · 26 sec · Spring Street
-
5
Take the ramp right toward I 5 South: Portland
1151 ft · 28 sec
-
6
Continue straight
3180 ft · 1 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East, I 5 South: Bellevue, Portland
45 m · 2 sec
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 5 South: Tacoma, Portland
589 ft · 8 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Airport Way
93 m · 4 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
17.4 mi · 22 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward South 272nd Street
2018 ft · 55 sec
-
12
Turn right onto South 272nd Street
2875 ft · 1 min · South 272nd Street
-
13
Turn left onto Pacific Highway South
2.5 mi · 5 min · Pacific Highway South
-
14
Turn left onto South 312th Street
64 m · 9 sec · South 312th Street
-
15
Turn right
7 m · 2 sec
-
16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Seattle and Federal Way.
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.
I 5 South
Keep slight left to continue on I 5 South: Sea-Tac Airport
17.4 mi · 00h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Seattle 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 Seattle to Federal Way?
The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km) and usually takes 00h 29m 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?
Tukwila is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.1 miles from Seattle and 12.1 miles from Federal Way.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 7:30 PM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.29 one way or $8.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Seattle and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.
Stop Ideas Near Tukwila
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Tukwila Community Center
Auburn Building Permits
City of Auburn
Auburn Community & Event Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tukwila.
Tukwila station
King Street Station
Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington
Tacoma Dome Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Seattle and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 19.64 mi (31.6 km).
#1 Seattle
The eighteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Seattle metropolitan area.
| Population | 769,714 |
| Coordinates | 47.6062100, -122.3320700 |
| Altitude | 56 |
| 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: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $4.29 | $8.58 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $4.56 | $9.13 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $4.73 | $9.46 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $4.48 | $8.97 |
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 07, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.