Kirkland, WA to Graham, WA is 48.5 miles and takes about 1h 10m via Valley Freeway and I-405, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Washington state, traversing the Pacific Coast region. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. It’s a straightforward trip, ideal for a quick drive when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss. You’ll spend most of your time on well-maintained freeways, making it a predictable and efficient commute.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 48.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 77% of it on major roadways like the Valley Freeway and I-405. You'll experience a longest stretch of 19.9 miles on the Valley Freeway, offering a period of uninterrupted travel. While primarily freeway, Meridian Avenue East introduces a change of pace, offering a more surface-street feel. The character is one of efficient transit, designed for covering distance rather than sightseeing. Be prepared for typical freeway conditions, including varying traffic speeds.
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.
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.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 13 key points
These 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
40.4 mi into trip|~54m in|WA 161
Take the exit onto WA 161 toward WA 161 South: South Hill, Eatonville
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 161 South: South Hill, Eatonville
7
40.9 mi into trip|~55m in|WA 161 / 31st Avenue Southwest
At end of road, turn left onto WA 161 / 31st Avenue Southwest
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.
Between Kirkland, WA and Graham, WA, road signs point toward Rainier Avenue South, Olympia and Eatonville.
Rainier Avenue South
16.2 mi in|~22m
Olympia
37 mi in|~49m
Eatonville
40.4 mi in|~54m|via WA 161
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Valley Freeway
19.9 mi
24m
I 405
14.7 mi
18m
Meridian Avenue East
5.8 mi
11m
WA 161
2.9 mi
4m
South Meridian
0.9 mi
2m
Meridian East
0.7 mi
1m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
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 Graham, 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: RentonUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 405
15 mi·18 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 2Toward WA 167 South: Auburn, Rainier Avenue SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward WA 167 South: AuburnUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto WA 167
20 mi·24 min·Valley Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward WA 512 West, WA 161 South: Puyallup, OlympiaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on WA 161; WA 512
2.5 mi·3 min·WA 161; WA 512
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto WA 161
0.4 mi·1 min·WA 161
Toward WA 161 South: South Hill, EatonvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto WA 161
0.2 mi·24 sec·31st Avenue Southwest
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on WA 161
0.9 mi·2 min·South Meridian
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on WA 161
4.0 mi·7 min·Meridian Avenue East
18
Continue on WA 161
0.7 mi·1 min·Meridian East
19
Continue on WA 161
1.8 mi·3 min·Meridian Avenue East
20
Turn left onto 224th Street East
129 ft·3 sec·224th Street East
21
Arrive at destination
224th Street East
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.3 mi from Kirkland, WA
· 33m into the drive
The midpoint is around 24.3 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Graham, WA
The final approach into Graham, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.15 one way
$20.30 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg17 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$10.65
$21.29
premium
$5.77
$11.01
$22.03
diesel
$5.61
$10.71
$21.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
14.5
0
$5.09
$2.33
Efficient EV
12.1
0
$4.24
$1.94
EV Truck/SUV
19.4
0
$6.79
$3.10
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kirkland, WA
Night
in Kirkland on Friday
Local time
9:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
SSW 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 16 at 6:46AM PDT until April 17 at 9:00AM PDT by NWS Pendleton OR
Destination
Graham, WA
Night
in Graham on Friday
Local time
9:20 PM
PDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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 10m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Graham, WA covers 48.5 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Valley Freeway, I 405, Meridian Avenue 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 24.3 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 $10.15 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 Graham, WA, road signs point toward Rainier Avenue South, Olympia and Eatonville.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical 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.
