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

The driving distance from Spanaway, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 23.9 miles (38.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 16.2 miles (26 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m 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
23.84 mi
00h 36m
Flight
16.14 mi
25.97 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Spanaway.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
16.14 mi
Kilometers
25.97 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
23.84 mi
Kilometers
38.37 km
Drive Time
00h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Sun, May 3, 9:35 AM PDT
Return by in Spanaway
Sun, May 3, 10:11 AM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Spanaway
2026-05-03T08:59
Arrive Federal Way
Sun, May 3, 9:35 AM PDT
Route Timing
00h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:18 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Spanaway
10:00 PM PDT
Flexible departure

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
Tacoma
WA

The third most populous city in Washington.

From Spanaway
11.9 mi
00h 18m
To Federal Way
11.9 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 12:00 AM PDT
Wind
2 mph ENE
Destination
54°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 12:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    16 m · 6 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Pacific Avenue South

    3.8 mi · 8 min · Pacific Avenue South

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 108th Street South

    110 m · 6 sec · 108th Street South

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward WA 512 West

    1044 ft · 27 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 North: Tacoma, Seattle

    1.2 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    5.4 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  9. 9

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

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Spanaway 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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
58.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
16.5 mi · 69%
Pacific Avenue South
3.84 mi · 16%
WA 512 West
2.09 mi · 9%
South 320th Street
0.83 mi · 3%
Pacific Highway South
0.5 mi · 2%
108th Street South
0.07 mi
Longest Stretch

I 5 North

Keep slight right

10 mi · 00h 13m

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 36m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.7 mi
16.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tacoma
00h 18m from Spanaway
Leave By
7:18 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Spanaway and Clear near Federal Way.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Spanaway to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 23.9 miles (38.4 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?

Tacoma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.9 miles from Spanaway and 11.9 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 16.2 miles (26 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:18 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.40 one way or $8.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Spanaway and Clear near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near Tacoma

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 Tacoma and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall Tacoma
Food stop 1.8 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 11.3 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
Lakewood City Hall
Meeting point 5.9 mi away

Lakewood City Hall

Tacoma
6000 Main St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Rating 3.8/5 19 reviews City Hall
Auburn Community & Event Center
Nearby stop 11.6 mi away

Auburn Community & Event Center

Auburn , WA
Parks, Arts & Recreation Administration Building, 910 9th St SE, Auburn, WA 98002
Rating 4.5/5 84 reviews Event venue

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

2 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue
RAIL

Tukwila station

28 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

Centennial Station

39 mi away
6600 Yelm Highway S.E.
RAIL

King Street Station

39 mi away
303 South Jackson Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Spanaway and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 16.14 mi (25.97 km).

Spanaway

#1 Spanaway

Census designated place

Population27,227
Coordinates47.1039900, -122.4345700
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: (-122.43459, 47.104044)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 38 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.84 gal
3.18 L · about $4.40
Round trip
$8.79
1.68 gal · 6.36 L
Estimated CO2
7.5 kg one way
Round trip: 14.9 kg / 33 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $4.40 $8.79
Mid-grade $5.57 $4.68 $9.35
Premium $5.77 $4.85 $9.70
Diesel $5.47 $4.59 $9.18

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Spanaway and Federal Way. The current time is 08:59:11.

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.