SR 167 is pretty bad as well.
Actually, probably the best way coming north is to avoid BOTH I-5 and I-405. Take SR-18 from Federal Way to Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Parkway to SR-202, SR-202 west or north from Snoqualmie to Fall City, SR-203 north from Fall City to Monroe, and finally US 2 west from Monroe to I-5 in Everett. If you want to avoid Everett too (sometimes a good idea), pick up SR 9 north at Snohomish from US 2, and pop out onto i-5 at Arlington. The SR 9 route slides around to the east of most of the congested urban traffic. Even though there are a few traffic signals, most times of day it is a very good option.