Origin
Elk Plain, WA
Evening in Elk Plain on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elk Plain, WA to Kirkland, WA
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
52.6 mi
85 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 20m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 27m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elk Plain, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Kirkland, WA
Spencer Lee Eiseman
Trip Overview
Spanning 52.6 miles, this drive from Elk Plain to Kirkland is a straightforward journey through the Pacific Coast region of Washington. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $11, it is a cost-effective route for commuters or casual travelers. You will primarily utilize the Valley Freeway, I-405, and Canyon Road East to navigate between these two points. Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26.3 miles from Elk Plain, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a consistent flow as you transition between urban and suburban corridors. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Valley Freeway, covering 19.7 miles of the total distance. Because the majority of the route consists of high-speed highway driving, you should be prepared for a steady, focused pace rather than a winding backroad experience. The transition between these road types is designed for efficiency, helping you cover the distance quickly.
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.
Valley Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Valley Freeway and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near Canyon Road East.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 52.6 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 2.8 miles (Canyon Road East): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Canyon Road East
Turn left onto Canyon Road East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
14.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yaki...
6
35.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward I 405 North: Bellevue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 405 North: Bellevue
8
50.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
51.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
6th Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Elk Plain, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
Yakima
14.8 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Freeway | 19.7 mi | 24m |
| I 405 | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| Canyon Road East | 6.2 mi | 11m |
| WA 512 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| 224th Street East | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 208th Street East | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| 38th Avenue East | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Valley Freeway
— 19.7 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk Plain, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on 224th Street East
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
224th Street East
2
Turn left onto 38th Avenue East
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
38th Avenue East
3
Continue on Wright Road East
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Wright Road East
4
At end of road, turn right onto 208th Street East
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
208th Street East
5
Turn left onto Canyon Road East
6.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Canyon Road East
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 512 East: Puyallup
7
Merge onto WA 512
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
WA 512
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 167 North, WA 410 East: Seattle, Yakima
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto WA 167
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 405 North: Bellevue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 405
15 mi
·
18 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 1 hour and 15 minute duration, you can easily complete this drive in one go without the need for formal stops. If you want to avoid peak congestion, check traffic reports for the I-405 corridor before heading out. Since this is a highway-heavy route, ensure your vehicle is fueled up for the $11 trip before leaving Elk Plain to avoid unnecessary detours. Take advantage of the trip's short length to maintain a flexible schedule, allowing you to easily adjust your departure time to bypass the busiest commuting hours. Staying alert during your 19.7-mile stretch on the Valley Freeway will help you navigate the highest-traffic portion of your journey with ease.
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 26.3 miles from Elk Plain, WA, or about 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.7 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 52.6 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.3 miles or 40m 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 3m
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 Elk Plain, 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 Elk Plain, WA
This is one driving day of about 52.6 miles and 1h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elk Plain, WA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Valley Freeway for about 19.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.3 mi from Elk Plain, WA · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.3 miles from Elk Plain, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.04 one way
$22.08 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $11.53 | $23.06 |
| premium | $5.77 | $11.95 | $23.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.69 | $23.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.52 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.60 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.36 | $3.37 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 15m 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 Elk Plain, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 52.6 miles and takes about 1h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Valley Freeway, I 405, Canyon Road East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.3 miles from Elk Plain, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 52.6 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 2.8 miles (Canyon Road East): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Elk Plain, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Yakima along the way.
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