Origin
Benton City, WA
Evening in Benton City on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benton City, WA to Kirkland, WA
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
207.1 mi
333 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benton City, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Kirkland, WA
Spencer Lee Eiseman
Trip Overview
Traveling from Benton City to Kirkland covers 207.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 54 minutes. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey, making it an efficient way to cross the state. You will primarily navigate via I-82, US 97, and I-405, keeping your travel time predictable. With an estimated fuel cost of $43, it is a straightforward trek that avoids the need for an overnight stay. Since both locations are situated within the Pacific Coast region of Washington, you can expect a familiar, consistent atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a practical route for those prioritizing a direct, highway-focused connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
103.6 miles from Benton City, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as this route is comprised of 98% highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time behind the wheel on major interstates and US routes, offering a very consistent driving experience. The longest uninterrupted section hits 101.4 miles on US 97, which requires you to settle into a steady rhythm for a significant portion of the journey. Because the profile is strictly highway-focused, the character of the road remains utilitarian and fast-paced. You will find that the transition between the segments is seamless, allowing you to maintain a steady speed as you move between the main road arteries.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 97 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 97 and I 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97 miles in near US 97.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 207.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
97 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
US 97
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97 toward I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 90 West
8
198.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
8
198.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
8
205.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
6
206.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
6th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 97 | 101.4 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 82 | 95.4 mi | 1h 43m |
| I 405 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Babs Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 1st Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 9th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 97
— 101.4 mi, about 1h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton City, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on WA 225
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
9th Street
2
Continue on WA 225
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Babs Avenue
3
Turn straight onto WA 225
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
1st Street
4
Enter roundabout
29 ft
·
0 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
6
Merge onto I 82; US 12
64 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 82; US 12
7
Continue on I 82; US 97
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 82; US 97
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 97
101 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
US 97
Toward I 90 West
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 10
Toward I 405: Renton, Everett
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 405 North: Everett, Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 405
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 405
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
182 ft
·
6 sec
14
Turn straight onto Northeast 85th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
7th Avenue
17
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
7th Avenue
18
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
7th Avenue
19
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft
·
11 sec
·
1st Street
20
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 54 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid peak traffic near Kirkland. While the trip is short enough to drive in one go, scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotonous highway stretches. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 101.4-mile stretch on US 97 to ensure you aren't caught off guard in remote sections. Since this is a high-speed, highway-heavy route, staying alert during the long, consistent stretches is your best strategy for a safe arrival. Use that single planned stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the lack of technical turns can lead to driver fatigue.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 103.6 miles from Benton City, WA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.6 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kirkland, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benton City, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Benton City, WA
This is one driving day of about 207.1 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benton City, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 97 for about 101.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.6 mi from Benton City, WA · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.6 miles from Benton City, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 97 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.4 miles.
Arriving in Kirkland, WA
The final approach into Kirkland, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kirkland, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.47 one way
$86.93 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $45.39 | $90.78 |
| premium | $5.77 | $47.05 | $94.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.01 | $92.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.75 | $9.94 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.12 | $8.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.8 | 1 | $28.99 | $13.25 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Evening in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
104 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 54m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Benton City, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 207.1 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 97, I 82, I 405. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 103.6 miles from Benton City, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 207.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 97 miles (US 97): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Benton City, WA to Kirkland, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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