Origin
Kirkland, WA
Evening in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Elk Plain, WA
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
52.8 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 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Spencer Lee Eiseman
Elk Plain, WA
JOHN CALLERY
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kirkland to Elk Plain covers 52.8 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Since this route is well within the Pacific Coast region, it serves as a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stop. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly transit. By utilizing a mix of the Valley Freeway, I-405, and Canyon Road East, you get a direct path between these two Washington locations. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently without unnecessary detours.
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
26.4 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused trek spends 76% of its duration on major roads, giving it a fast-paced and functional feel. You will spend your time navigating through a mix of arterial interstates and regional thoroughfares rather than rural backroads. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Valley Freeway, which spans 19.9 miles of the journey. As you transition from the interstate segments onto Canyon Road East, the driving environment shifts from high-speed highway lanes to more localized traffic patterns. Expect a predictable experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding, scenic overlooks.
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 19.9 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 16.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 52.8 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 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
16.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South
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 2
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue Sou...
7
16.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
7
37 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward WA 512 West, WA 161 South: Puyallup, Olympia
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 512 West, WA 161 South: Puyallup, Oly...
7
43.4 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward Canyon Road, Summit
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 Canyon Road, Summit
6
43.7 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
Canyon Road East
Turn left onto Canyon Road East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Kirkland, WA and Elk Plain, WA, road signs point toward Rainier Avenue South, Olympia and Summit.
Rainier Avenue South
16.2 mi in
|
~22m
Olympia
37 mi in
|
~49m
Summit
43.4 mi in
|
~57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Valley Freeway | 19.9 mi | 24m |
| I 405 | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| Canyon Road East | 6.3 mi | 11m |
| WA 161 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| 224th Street East | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 208th Street East | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| 38th Avenue East | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Valley Freeway
— 19.9 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Elk Plain, WA.
1
Start on 1st Street
399 ft
·
16 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
7th Avenue
3
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
7th Avenue
4
Continue on 7th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
7th Avenue
5
Turn right onto 6th Street
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
6th Street
6
Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast 85th Street
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 405 South: Renton
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 405
15 mi
·
18 min
·
I 405
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 2
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue South
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
Toward WA 167 South: Auburn
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 167
20 mi
·
24 min
·
Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward WA 512 West, WA 161 South: Puyallup, Olympia
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WA 161; WA 512
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
WA 161; WA 512
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward Canyon Road, Summit
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Canyon Road East
6.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Canyon Road East
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto 208th Street East
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
208th Street East
17
Turn left onto Wright Road East
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Wright Road East
18
Continue on 38th Avenue East
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
38th Avenue East
19
Turn right onto 224th Street East
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
224th Street East
20
Arrive at destination
224th Street East
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short 1 hour and 16-minute trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no mandatory stops required, you can power through the entire 52.8-mile distance without needing to plan for breaks or overnight accommodations. Keep in mind that the $11 fuel estimate is based on standard driving conditions, so adjust your budget if you anticipate heavy traffic congestion. A helpful tip for this route is to monitor traffic reports specifically for the I-405 segment, as this portion is the most likely to experience delays during peak hours. Staying aware of these flow patterns will help you maintain your estimated arrival time in Elk Plain.
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 26.4 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 52.8 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.4 miles or 35m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elk Plain, WA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 52.8 miles and 1h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kirkland, 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 19.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.4 mi from Kirkland, WA · 35m 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 52.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.4 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elk Plain, WA
The final approach into Elk Plain, 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 Elk Plain, 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
$11.08 one way
$22.16 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $11.57 | $23.14 |
| premium | $5.77 | $12.00 | $23.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.73 | $23.46 |
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: 18.5 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 | $5.54 | $2.53 |
| Efficient EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.62 | $2.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
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
Elk Plain, WA
Evening in Elk Plain on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
PDT
Current temp
37°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 16m 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 Kirkland, WA to Elk Plain, WA covers 52.8 miles and takes about 1h 16m 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 26.4 miles from Kirkland, WA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.08 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 15 significant decision points across 52.8 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 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kirkland, WA and Elk Plain, WA, road signs point toward Rainier Avenue South, Olympia and Summit.
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