Origin
Kirkland, WA
Evening in Kirkland on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Fircrest, WA
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
44.6 mi
72 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Spencer Lee Eiseman
Fircrest, WA
Alex Stone
Trip Overview
Traveling from Kirkland to Fircrest is a straightforward 44.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 1 minute. This route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip, as it connects two Pacific Coast locations within Washington state without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the trip, making it a very affordable excursion. Because you will be navigating through high-traffic corridors, the drive is best viewed as a functional transit rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour. It is an ideal option if you need to move between these two areas efficiently while keeping your travel budget low.
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
22.3 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares including I-405, I-5, and WA-16. You will experience a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel as you transition between these interstate systems. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on I-5, where you will cover 21.6 miles of roadway. Given the reliance on these primary arteries, you should anticipate a standard interstate experience rather than technical or winding local roads. It is a no-frills, direct path that prioritizes speed and efficiency over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and I 405. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 44.6 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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
19.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 5 South: Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 5 South: Portland
6
39.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
41.2 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
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 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
7
41.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
8
43.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward Fircrest, Center Street
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 1C
Toward Fircrest, Center Street
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Kirkland, WA to Fircrest, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
Bremerton
41.2 mi in
|
~54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 21.6 mi | 27m |
| I 405 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| WA 16 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Regents Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Center Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 21.6 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Fircrest, 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
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 405
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 5 South: Portland
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
20 mi
·
25 min
·
I 5
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 5
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 132B
Toward WA 16 West: Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Toward WA 16 West: Union Avenue
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto WA 16
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
WA 16
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 1C
Toward Fircrest, Center Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
511 ft
·
25 sec
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Center Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Center Street
18
Continue on Regents Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Regents Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on Regents Boulevard
369 ft
·
24 sec
·
Regents Boulevard
20
Turn left onto Alameda Avenue
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
Alameda Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Alameda Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling, though it is wise to account for potential congestion on the interstate sections. With no mandatory stops required for a trip of this duration, you can easily complete the journey in one push. Keep in mind that traffic patterns on I-5 and I-405 can shift rapidly, so checking your navigation app before departing is a smart move. Because the entire route is covered by your $9 fuel estimate, you do not need to worry about planning complex refueling stops along the way. Your best strategy is to time your departure to avoid peak commute hours to ensure the drive stays close to that one-hour mark.
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 22.3 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.6 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 44.6 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.3 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fircrest, 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 44.6 miles and 1h 1m.
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 I 5 for about 21.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.3 mi from Kirkland, WA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 44.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.3 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fircrest, WA
The final approach into Fircrest, 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 Fircrest, 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
$9.36 one way
$18.72 round trip
$5.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $9.78 | $19.55 |
| premium | $5.77 | $10.13 | $20.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.91 | $19.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.68 | $2.14 |
| Efficient EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.90 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.24 | $2.85 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Fircrest, WA
Evening in Fircrest on Sunday
Local time
7:47 PM
PDT
Current temp
38°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
3 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 1m 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 Fircrest, WA covers 44.6 miles and takes about 1h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, WA 16. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.3 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 $9.36 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 16 significant decision points across 44.6 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 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.9 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Kirkland, WA to Fircrest, WA, road signs begin pointing toward Bremerton along the way.
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