Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
170.7 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
The drive from Kirkland, WA to Ephrata, WA covers 170.7 miles and takes about 3h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 7th Avenue, 6th Street, Northeast 85th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.17 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
85.3 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 17m drive with frequent turns across 170.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 6th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast 85th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 405 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| WA 283 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Burke Spur | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Ephrata, WA.
Start on 1st Street
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto 7th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street
Take the ramp slight right toward I 405 South: Renton
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 East: Spokane
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward WA 283 North: Ephrata, Soap Lake
Continue on Burke Spur
Turn right
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.3 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ephrata, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Kirkland, 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 Kirkland, WA
This is one driving day of about 170.7 miles and 3h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.3 mi from Kirkland, WA · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85.3 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, WA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.17 one way
$70.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $37.41 | $74.83 |
| premium | $5.77 | $38.78 | $77.57 |
| diesel | $5.47 | $36.74 | $73.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.92 | $8.19 |
| Efficient EV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.94 | $6.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.3 | 0 | $23.90 | $10.92 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Kirkland on Saturday
Local time
4:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Ephrata on Saturday
Local time
4:35 AM
PDT
Current temp
34°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Monroe, WA
85 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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