The drive from Forks, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 170.2 miles and takes about 4h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 3 Northeast for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.4 miles on South Forks Avenue.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.62 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
85.1 miles from Forks, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 170.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 44m drive with frequent turns across 170.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Forks Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 55.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 101.6 miles in near WA 104 / State Route 104.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 170.2 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 101.6 miles (WA 104 / State Route 104): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 137.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.2 miles (WA 520): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
101.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|WA 104 / State Route 104
Enter roundabout onto WA 104 / State Route 104
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
137.3 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth Ferry
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.
Toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth F...
8
161.2 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|WA 520
Take the exit onto WA 520 toward WA 520: Bellevue, 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 168B
Toward WA 520: Bellevue, Kirkland
8
167.3 mi into trip|~4h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
7
167.3 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|Bellevue Way Northeast
Turn left onto Bellevue Way Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Forks, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Southworth Ferry along the way.
Southworth Ferry
137.3 mi in|~3h 20m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Forks Avenue
55.4 mi
1h 21m
East 1st Street
35.9 mi
53m
State Highway 3 Northeast
23.2 mi
31m
Southeast Sedgwick Road
7.3 mi
13m
WA 520
5.8 mi
7m
State Route 104
5.2 mi
6m
Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry
4.8 mi
29m
I 5
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
South Forks Avenue
— 55.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forks, WA and Kirkland, WA.
1
Start on US 101
55 mi·1 hr 21 min·South Forks Avenue
2
Take the exit onto Lauridsen Boulevard
0.8 mi·2 min·Lauridsen Boulevard
3
Turn left onto South Race Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Race Street
4
Turn right onto US 101
36 mi·53 min·East 1st Street
5
Take the exit
8.7 mi·11 min
6
Keep slight left at fork onto WA 104
0.1 mi·9 sec·State Route 104
7
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
101 ft·1 sec·State Route 104
8
Continue on WA 104
4.9 mi·6 min·State Route 104
9
Enter roundabout onto WA 104
117 ft·1 sec·State Route 104
10
Continue on WA 104
0.1 mi·16 sec·State Route 104
11
Continue on WA 104
1.6 mi·2 min·Hood Canal Floating Bridge
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto WA 3
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 3 Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on WA 3
2.1 mi·3 min·State Highway 3 West
15
Continue on WA 16
0.2 mi·19 sec·West State Route 16
16
Continue on WA 16
3.5 mi·4 min·State Highway 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward WA 160 East: Sedgwick Road, Southworth FerryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto WA 160
232 ft·5 sec·Southwest Sedgwick Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Continue on WA 160
7.3 mi·13 min·Southeast Sedgwick Road
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto WA 160
171 ft·4 sec·Southeast Sedgwick Road
21
Continue on WA 160
0.2 mi·1 min·Southworth Ferry
22
Turn straight onto WA 160
4.8 mi·29 min·Fauntleroy - Southworth Ferry
23
Continue on Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
0.2 mi·19 sec·Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal
24
At end of road, turn left onto Fauntleroy Way Southwest
3.7 mi·10 min·Fauntleroy Way Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
25
Continue on West Seattle Bridge
2.4 mi·4 min·West Seattle Bridge
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 5 North: Vancouver British ColumbiaUse the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 5
4.5 mi·5 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto WA 520
5.8 mi·7 min·WA 520
Exit 168BToward WA 520: Bellevue, KirklandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast, Bellevue Way
30
Keep slight left at fork
162 ft·12 sec
Toward Lake Washington Boulevard NortheastUse the left lane.
31
Turn left onto Bellevue Way Northeast
0.1 mi·21 sec·Bellevue Way Northeast
Use the left lane.
32
Continue on Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
1.7 mi·3 min·Lake Washington Boulevard Northeast
33
Continue on Lake Street South
0.6 mi·1 min·Lake Street South
34
At end of road, turn left onto Central Way
312 ft·19 sec·Central Way
Use the left lane.
35
Turn right onto 1st Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·1st Street
36
Arrive at destination
1st Street
Trip Plan
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 85.1 miles from Forks, WA, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.4 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 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.1 miles or 2h 7m 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 24m
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 Forks, 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 Forks, WA
This is one driving day of about 170.2 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Forks, 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 South Forks Avenue for about 55.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.1 mi from Forks, WA
· 2h 7m into the drive
The midpoint is around 85.1 miles from Forks, 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.
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...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 158.4
With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of yea...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$30
near mile 35.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.62 one way
$71.24 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$37.36
$74.71
premium
$5.77
$38.65
$77.30
diesel
$5.61
$37.58
$75.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.1
0
$17.87
$8.17
Efficient EV
42.6
0
$14.89
$6.81
EV Truck/SUV
68.1
0
$23.83
$10.89
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Forks, WA
Evening
in Forks on Friday
Local time
8:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kirkland, WA
Evening
in Kirkland on Friday
Local time
8:26 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°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
4h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Forks, WA to Kirkland, WA covers 170.2 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Forks Avenue, East 1st Street, State Highway 3 Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.1 miles from Forks, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.62 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 170.2 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 101.6 miles (WA 104 / State Route 104): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 137.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.2 miles (WA 520): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Forks, WA to Kirkland, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Southworth Ferry along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park and Olympic National Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
