EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Road Genius makes it easy to find great rental car deals in Federal Way, WA. Compare prices and make bookings in one place. Simple. Pick up at Sea-Tac Airport for the widest selection or choose a lower-fee rental from Enterprise, Budget and other brands right in town, then hop on I-5 for quick drives to Seattle, Tacoma and Mount Rainier.
| Location | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) | Wide selection, 24/7 service, major brands | Higher airport taxes/fees, 15 miles (24 km) north of Federal Way |
| Federal Way Local Offices | Lower rates possible, avoid airport surcharges | Limited hours (often closed by 6pm and on Sundays) |
Additional Location Notes:
On average, car rentals in Federal Way cost around $79 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $32 per day.
Compare SEA vs Federal Way pick-up: Airport desks run 24/7 but tack on hefty concession fees. If you're already south of Seattle, local offices in Federal Way can shave off $10–$15 a day.
Play with dates, not just times: Rates spike in peak summer and holidays. Swap pickup or return by a day in spring or fall and watch the total drop when you refresh the comparison.
Grab the weekly rate trick: For 5–6 day trips, a 7-day booking often costs less than separate daily rates. Many suppliers let you return early without penalty, so lock in the cheaper week price.
Stick to a compact: A small car handles I-5 traffic, slides into Seattle street parking and sips fuel on the 70-mile (113 km) run to Mount Rainier. Bigger vehicles only pay off if you need the cargo space.
Park-and-rides: Several transit centers offer free parking (fills early on weekdays)
I-5 speed limit through Federal Way: 60 mph
Book a car rental so you can drive to:
Seattle – Pike Place Market, waterfront
Tacoma – Museum District, Point Defiance Zoo
Mount Rainier National Park – Nisqually entrance, Paradise
Olympic Peninsula – Port Angeles
Dash Point State Park – beach, hiking trails
Wild Waves Theme Park – rides, water park
Is Federal Way a good base location for visiting both Seattle and Tacoma?
Yes, Federal Way is an excellent base for exploring both cities. It's about 25 miles (40 km) south of Seattle and 10 miles (16 km) north of Tacoma and has direct I-5 access to both. You can find more affordable places to stay here than in either city and still easily get to the major attractions.
What's the best time to drive to Seattle from Federal Way to avoid traffic?
To avoid the worst traffic, leave Federal Way for Seattle after 9:00 AM on weekdays. For your return trip, head back to Federal Way before 3:00 PM or after 7:00 PM. Weekend traffic is usually lighter, though Saturday afternoons can be busy. On Sunday evenings, you'll often see more traffic heading north as people return to the Seattle area.
Do I need an SUV, or is a standard car sufficient for Federal Way and surroundings?
A standard car is fine for visiting Federal Way and traveling around the Puget Sound area. You'll find the main roads and highways are in good shape. But if you plan to visit Mount Rainier or other mountain spots, especially in winter, an SUV will give you better clearance and stability. For driving in the city and on the highway, a car that gets better gas mileage is a practical choice.
Are there any toll roads around Federal Way I should know about?
Federal Way itself doesn't have toll roads, but you'll find them on some nearby routes. If you're heading to the Olympic Peninsula, you only pay a toll on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge when you drive east. If you travel north toward Bellevue or Kirkland, I-405 has express toll lanes. You also have to pay a toll for the SR-99 tunnel through downtown Seattle. You can avoid all these tolls by using different routes or staying in the free lanes.
Where's the best place to park if I'm visiting Wild Waves Theme Park?
Wild Waves Theme Park has a large parking lot on-site, and you'll pay a daily fee when the park is open. You won't find any real free parking nearby that lets you park all day. For an easier time, get there early (30–45 minutes before the park opens) to get a spot closer to the entrance. This is especially true on hot summer weekends when lots of people go to the water park.
How reliable is public transportation if I decide not to rent a car some days?
Sound Transit and King County Metro run buses all over Federal Way that connect to Seattle and Tacoma. The buses are pretty reliable, but they don't run as often on weekends and in the evenings. The Federal Way Transit Center is a main hub for these routes. Public transit is a good option for trips to downtown Seattle or Tacoma. But it can take a long time to get to other attractions or suburbs since you might need to change buses a few times.
Are there any driving restrictions or rules unique to this area?
In Federal Way, you follow the standard Washington driving laws. The city uses red-light cameras at some intersections, so it's important to make a complete stop. Police strictly enforce the 20 mph speed limit in school zones when the lights are flashing. To use the HOV lanes on I-5, you need to have 2 or more people in your car during the posted hours. Other than that, driving in Federal Way is simple because its streets are set up in an easy-to-navigate grid.
What's the best route to Mount Rainier National Park from Federal Way?
To take the most direct route, you should drive south on SR-161 (Enchanted Parkway/Meridian) through Puyallup to Eatonville. Then you'll follow SR-7 and SR-706 to get to the Nisqually entrance on the southwest side of the park. This trip usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. Make sure you fill your gas tank before you leave the Eatonville area, since there are very few services inside the park.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support