How far is Waterville, WA from Federal Way, WA?
The driving distance from Waterville, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 174.9 miles (281.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.1 miles (172.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterville and Federal Way.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterville and Federal Way.
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1
Start on South Chelan Avenue
1888 ft · 40 sec · South Chelan Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Elm Street
2640 ft · 1 min · West Elm Street
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3
Continue on Sunset Highway
8.9 mi · 14 min · Sunset Highway
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4
At the end of the road, turn left
9 mi · 12 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Sunset Highway
15 m · 2 sec · Sunset Highway
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Sunset Highway
3 mi · 5 min · Sunset Highway
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7
Turn right onto US 2/97
1.2 km · 1 min · US 2/97
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8
Continue on Odabashian Bridge
1.1 mi · 2 min · Odabashian Bridge
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US2, US97
42 m · 6 sec · US 2
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10
Exit the rotary onto US 2
2365 ft · 45 sec · US 2
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11
Keep slight left to continue on US 2
43 m · 3 sec · US 2
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 2
13.7 mi · 17 min · US 2
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 97 South to I-90, Ellensburg, Seattle
1401 ft · 46 sec · US 2
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14
Turn left onto US 97
35.3 mi · 44 min · US 97
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15
Continue straight
9.8 mi · 13 min
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16
Turn left
827 ft · 18 sec
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17
Turn left onto Sunset Highway
804 ft · 11 sec · Sunset Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 West
1648 ft · 35 sec
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19
Merge slight left
60 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward WA 18 West: Auburn
1248 ft · 30 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on SR 18 west, Snoqualmie Parkway: Auburn, Tacoma
137 m · 13 sec
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22
Merge slight right onto Snoqualmie Parkway
1780 ft · 25 sec · Snoqualmie Parkway
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23
Continue on State Route 18
24.2 mi · 31 min · State Route 18
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24
Take the exit slight right toward WA 167: Renton, Puyallup
1109 ft · 19 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on WA 167 South: Puyallup, West Valley Highway
1523 ft · 26 sec
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26
Keep slight left to continue on West Valley Highway
762 ft · 24 sec
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27
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Valley Highway North
736 ft · 20 sec · West Valley Highway North
-
28
Turn right onto South Peasley Canyon Road
1.2 km · 1 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
-
29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Peasley Canyon Road
21 m · 2 sec · South Peasley Canyon Road
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30
Exit the roundabout onto South Peasley Canyon Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Peasley Canyon Road
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31
Continue on South 320th Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South 320th Street
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32
Turn right onto Pacific Highway South
2617 ft · 55 sec · Pacific Highway South
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33
Turn right onto South 312th Street
48 m · 6 sec · South 312th Street
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34
Turn right
7 m · 2 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterville 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 90 West
Merge slight left
60 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Waterville 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 Waterville to Federal Way?
The road trip is about 174.9 miles (281.4 km) and usually takes 03h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
South Cle Elum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.4 miles from Waterville and 88.4 miles from Federal Way.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.1 miles (172.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 67.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM PDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:42 AM PDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.29 one way or $64.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Waterville and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.
Stop Ideas Near South Cle Elum
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to South Cle Elum.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth
Columbia Station
Stevens Pass, Washington
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterville and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 107.03 mi (172.25 km).
#1 Waterville
Town in Douglas County, Washington
| Population | 1,197 |
| Coordinates | 47.6470800, -120.0711800 |
| Altitude | 800 |
| 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: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $5.23 | $32.29 | $64.58 |
| Mid-grade | $5.57 | $34.35 | $68.70 |
| Premium | $5.77 | $35.61 | $71.21 |
| Diesel | $5.47 | $33.73 | $67.46 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.