Kirkland to Hazel Dell is 170.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m via I 5 and I 405, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive connecting two points within Washington state, both in the Pacific Coast region. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, making it a manageable one-day trip. This route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency and a predictable drive without extensive detours.
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
85.2 miles from Kirkland, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 170.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the journey on major roads like I 5 and I 405. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 149.7 miles on I 5. The character of the drive remains largely the same throughout, offering a smooth and predictable experience for drivers. While there are brief transitions onto local roads like 7th Avenue, the vast majority is interstate travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 149.7 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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 170.4 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 166.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These 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 straight / slight right lanes.
6
166.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
169.3 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 78th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward Northeast 78th Street
6
169.7 mi into trip|~3h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 5
149.7 mi
2h 52m
I 405
17.8 mi
22m
7th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast Highway 99
0.5 mi
1m
Northeast 85th Street
0.5 mi
1m
6th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Northeast 78th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
1st Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 149.7 mi, about 2h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Hazel Dell, 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
18 mi·22 min·I 405
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward I 5 South: PortlandUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 5
20 mi·25 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5
126 mi·2 hr 22 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
3.2 mi·4 min·I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 4Toward Northeast 78th StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
401 ft·11 sec
Use the left / right lanes.
15
Continue on Northeast 78th Street
442 ft·15 sec·Northeast 78th Street
16
Turn right onto Northeast Highway 99
0.5 mi·1 min·Northeast Highway 99
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Northeast 68th Street
136 ft·3 sec·Northeast 68th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Northeast 68th Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day. Consider departing Kirkland in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on I 405. Since the longest stretch on I 5 is nearly 150 miles, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. The estimated fuel cost of $36 makes budgeting straightforward for this relatively short journey within Washington.
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 85.2 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.7 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.2 miles or 1h 43m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hazel Dell, 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 170.4 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Kirkland, 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 I 5 for about 149.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.2 mi from Kirkland, WA
· 1h 43m into the drive
The midpoint is around 85.2 miles from Kirkland, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.7 miles.
Arriving in Hazel Dell, WA
The final approach into Hazel Dell, 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 Hazel Dell, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.66 one way
$71.33 round trip
$5.32/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.58
$37.40
$74.80
premium
$5.77
$38.70
$77.39
diesel
$5.61
$37.62
$75.24
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: 59.6 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
$17.89
$8.18
Efficient EV
42.6
0
$14.91
$6.82
EV Truck/SUV
68.2
0
$23.86
$10.91
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
Kirkland, WA
Afternoon
in Kirkland on Friday
Local time
4:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hazel Dell, WA
Afternoon
in Hazel Dell on Friday
Local time
4:06 PM
PDT
Current temp
61°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
12 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
3h 21m 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 Hazel Dell, WA covers 170.4 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, 7th Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.2 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 $35.66 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 170.4 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 166.1 miles (I 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Kirkland, WA to Hazel Dell, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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.
