Blaine, WA to Kirkland, WA is 107.3 miles and takes about 2h 9m via I 5 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Washington and travels along the Pacific Coast region. It's a straightforward drive that primarily utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option for a day trip. Expect a consistent highway experience for most of the journey. This route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and minimal hassle getting from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.7 miles from Blaine, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
92.9 mi
1h 47m
I 405
11.2 mi
14m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
1m
H Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Peace Portal Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 92.9 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on H Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·H Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto WA 548
0.2 mi·38 sec·Peace Portal Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 5 South
4
Merge onto I 5
93 mi·1 hr 47 min·I 5
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 182Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, RentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 405
0.9 mi·1 min·I 405
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
10 mi·12 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 18Toward Northeast 85th Street, KirklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Northeast 85th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft·17 sec·6th Street
11
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·7th Avenue
12
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi·50 sec·7th Avenue
13
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi·18 sec·7th Avenue
14
Turn right onto 1st Street
399 ft·11 sec·1st Street
15
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 2 hours, this is a perfect same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll have plenty of daylight to complete the 107.3-mile journey. Given the $22 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to fill up before you leave Blaine, as the longest stretch without a significant town is on I 5. While there are no designated stops in the data, you'll find ample services along I 5 and I 405 if needed. Pay attention to the transition from I 405 to 7th Avenue as you approach Kirkland to ensure you follow the most direct path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.7 miles from Blaine, WA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.9 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 Blaine, 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 Blaine, WA
This is one driving day of about 107.3 miles and 2h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Blaine, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 92.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 105.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive
At end of road, turn right onto WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 5 South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 5 South
8
93.5 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
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 182
Toward I 405 South: Bellevue, Renton
6
95.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 405
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
105.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward Northeast 85th Street, Kirkland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.46 one way
$44.91 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$23.55
$47.10
premium
$5.77
$24.37
$48.73
diesel
$5.61
$23.69
$47.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.2
0
$11.27
$5.15
Efficient EV
26.8
0
$9.39
$4.29
EV Truck/SUV
42.9
0
$15.02
$6.87
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Blaine, WA
Afternoon
in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Afternoon
in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
1:39 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Burlington, WA
54 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
1 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
2h 9m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from around the world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure in the Yukon Territory...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 107.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I 5 and I 405. You'll experience a long stretch of 92.9 miles primarily on I 5, which provides a consistent, high-speed driving environment. While much of the route is on these main arteries, you'll transition to 7th Avenue closer to your destination in Kirkland. This highway-centric profile means you can expect smooth sailing and predictable travel times for the vast majority of the trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.9 mi on I 5.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 107.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Blaine, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Renton along the way.
Renton
93.5 mi in|~1h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 107.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.9 miles on I 5. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (WA 548 / Peace Portal Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 93.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Kirkland, WA before heading back.
