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

The driving distance from Steilacoom, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 25.8 miles (41.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17.2 miles (27.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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
25.81 mi
00h 39m
Flight
17.21 mi
27.69 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Steilacoom.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.21 mi
Kilometers
27.69 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
25.81 mi
Kilometers
41.53 km
Drive Time
00h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Sat, May 30, 10:09 PM PDT
Return by in Steilacoom
Sat, May 30, 10:49 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Steilacoom
2026-05-30T21:29
Arrive Federal Way
Sat, May 30, 10:09 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:40 AM to 7:40 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:10 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Steilacoom
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
Tacoma
WA

The third most populous city in Washington.

From Steilacoom
11.7 mi
00h 19m
To Federal Way
14.1 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
This Afternoon

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 1:00 PM PDT
Wind
3 mph NNW
Destination
64°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 9:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Rainier Street

    10 m · 1 sec · Rainier Street

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Rainier Street

    68 m · 5 sec · Rainier Street

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto Rainier Street

    2776 ft · 2 min · Rainier Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Steilacoom Boulevard

    3 mi · 6 min · Steilacoom Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South Tacoma Way

    1640 ft · 46 sec · South Tacoma Way

  7. 7

    Turn right onto South 84th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 84th Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Tacoma Mall Boulevard

    1.1 km · 1 min · Tacoma Mall Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn right onto South 74th Street

    99 m · 8 sec · South 74th Street

  10. 10

    Continue on South 72nd Street

    581 ft · 20 sec · South 72nd Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp left toward I 5 North: Seattle

    1410 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    3.5 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    10 mi · 13 min

  14. 14

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

    1774 ft · 51 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South 320th Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South 320th Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Pacific Highway South

    2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South 312th Street

    48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Steilacoom 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
19 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
73.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 North
14.2 mi · 55%
Steilacoom Boulevard
3.01 mi · 12%
Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest
2.36 mi · 9%
South 320th Street
0.83 mi · 3%
South 84th Street
0.81 mi · 3%
Tacoma Mall Boulevard
0.65 mi · 3%
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 39m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.6 mi
17.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tacoma
00h 19m from Steilacoom
Leave By
7:10 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Steilacoom 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 Steilacoom to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 25.8 miles (41.5 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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 11.7 miles from Steilacoom and 14.1 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 17.2 miles (27.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 7:10 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.76 one way or $9.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Steilacoom and Mostly Sunny 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 1.7 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 11.1 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 6.1 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 11.4 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 Steilacoom and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 17.21 mi (27.69 km).

Steilacoom

#1 Steilacoom

Town in Washington, United States

Population6,416
Coordinates47.1698200, -122.6026300
Altitude20
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: Rainier Street (-122.602521, 47.169704)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 42 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.91 gal
3.45 L · about $4.76
Round trip
$9.52
1.82 gal · 6.9 L
Estimated CO2
8.1 kg one way
Round trip: 16.2 kg / 36 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $4.76 $9.52
Mid-grade $5.57 $5.07 $10.13
Premium $5.77 $5.25 $10.50
Diesel $5.47 $4.97 $9.95

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Steilacoom and Federal Way. The current time is 21:29:40.

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.