How far is White Center, WA from Federal Way, WA?

The driving distance from White Center, WA to Federal Way, WA is about 20.1 miles (32.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.6 miles (21.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 55m 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
20.13 mi
00h 27m
Flight
13.61 mi
21.91 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from White Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.61 mi
Kilometers
21.91 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
20.13 mi
Kilometers
32.39 km
Drive Time
00h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Federal Way
Sat, May 30, 12:12 PM PDT
Return by in White Center
Sat, May 30, 12:39 PM PDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave White Center
2026-05-30T11:44
Arrive Federal Way
Sat, May 30, 12:12 PM PDT
Route Timing
00h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM PDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:28 AM to 7:28 PM PDT

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

Leave by
7:34 PM PDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in White Center
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
SeaTac
WA

Airport in SeaTac, Washington, USA

From White Center
9.5 mi
00h 13m
To Federal Way
10.6 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM PDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SSW
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 White Center and Federal Way.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between White Center and Federal Way.

  1. 1

    Start on Southwest Roxbury Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Southwest Roxbury Street

  2. 2

    Turn slight left onto Olson Place Southwest

    2680 ft · 2 min · Olson Place Southwest

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward WA 509 North: Seattle

    1894 ft · 36 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    1539 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward WA 99 South: West Marginal Way

    151 m · 12 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on WA 99 South: West Marginal Way, Transfer Station

    615 ft · 17 sec

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Marginal Way South

    3.1 mi · 4 min · West Marginal Way South

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 5 South: Portland

    2225 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    8.5 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward South 272nd Street

    2018 ft · 55 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South 272nd Street

    2875 ft · 1 min · South 272nd Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Pacific Highway South

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Pacific Highway South

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South 312th Street

    64 m · 9 sec · South 312th Street

  15. 15

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between White Center 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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
79.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 5 South
8.87 mi · 44%
West Marginal Way South
4.61 mi · 23%
Pacific Highway South
2.49 mi · 12%
South 272nd Street
0.93 mi · 5%
Southwest Roxbury Street
0.68 mi · 3%
WA 509 North
0.65 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 5 South

Merge slight left

8.45 mi · 00h 11m

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 27m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.5 mi
13.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
SeaTac
00h 13m from White Center
Leave By
7:34 PM PDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving White Center 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 White Center to Federal Way?

The road trip is about 20.1 miles (32.4 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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?

SeaTac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.5 miles from White Center and 10.6 miles from Federal Way.

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

The direct path is about 13.6 miles (21.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 7:34 PM PDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.72 one way or $7.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around White Center and Mostly Sunny near Federal Way.

Stop Ideas Near SeaTac

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 SeaTac and the surrounding midpoint area.
Tukwila Community Center
Scenic stop 3.2 mi away

Tukwila Community Center

Tukwila , WA
12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
Rating 4.5/5 633 reviews City park,Community center
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 9.7 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
City of Auburn
Meeting point 9.6 mi away

City of Auburn

Auburn , WA
25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001
Rating 3.9/5 15 reviews City Hall,City government office
Auburn Community & Event Center
Nearby stop 10.3 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 SeaTac.

RAIL

Tukwila station

4 mi away
7301 South 158th St.
RAIL

King Street Station

17 mi away
303 South Jackson Street
OTHER

Seattle (Ferry - Pier 69), Washington

19 mi away
2701 Alaskan Way
RAIL

Tacoma Dome Station

25 mi away
1001 Puyallup Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between White Center and Federal Way. Straight-line distance: 13.61 mi (21.91 km).

White Center

#1 White Center

Census designated place

Population13,495
Coordinates47.5173200, -122.3548500
Altitude116
CountryUnited States
Federal Way

#2 Federal Way

A city in King County, Washington.

Population96,307
Coordinates47.3223200, -122.3126200
Altitude141
CountryUnited States
Start: Southwest Roxbury Street (-122.354849, 47.517387)
End: (-122.312612, 47.32232)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 32 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.71 gal
2.69 L · about $3.72
Round trip
$7.43
1.42 gal · 5.38 L
Estimated CO2
6.3 kg one way
Round trip: 12.6 kg / 28 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $5.23 $3.72 $7.43
Mid-grade $5.57 $3.95 $7.91
Premium $5.77 $4.10 $8.19
Diesel $5.47 $3.88 $7.76

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between White Center and Federal Way. The current time is 11:44:38.

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.