Origin
Kirkland, WA
Late night in Kirkland on Wednesday
Local time
1:21 AM
PDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kirkland, WA to Lake Shore, WA
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
170.3 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirkland, WA
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Shore, WA
William Jacobs
Trip Overview
This 170.3-mile drive from Kirkland, WA, to Lake Shore, WA, will take you approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-5, I-405, and Northwest 99th Street, offering a straightforward journey within the Pacific Coast region. With a projected fuel cost of around $36, this highway-focused drive is efficient for reaching your destination. Plan for just one stop along the way, keeping the focus on covering ground. This trip is designed for those who appreciate a direct path through Washington.
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 .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 98% of the drive on major interstates. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 148.7 miles on I-5, so be prepared for long periods of consistent speed. While largely an interstate journey, the inclusion of Northwest 99th Street suggests a brief transition to a more localized road as you approach your destination. This route prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 148.7 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 0.1 miles in near 7th Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 170.3 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 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
7th Avenue
Turn left onto 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
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
168.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward Northeast 99th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward Northeast 99th Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 5 | 148.7 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 405 | 17.8 mi | 22m |
| Northwest 99th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 85th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Northeast 99th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Northwest 20th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 5
— 148.7 mi, about 2h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Lake Shore, 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 straight / slight right lanes.
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 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
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 5
Toward Northeast 99th Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Northeast 99th Street
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
Northeast 99th Street
15
Continue on Northwest 99th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest 99th Street
16
Turn left onto Northwest 18th Avenue
172 ft
·
9 sec
·
Northwest 18th Avenue
17
Turn right onto Northwest 98th Street
399 ft
·
17 sec
·
Northwest 98th Street
18
Continue on Northwest 20th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwest 20th Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Northwest 96th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, an early morning departure from Kirkland is advisable to maximize your day. The longest stretch on I-5 is nearly 150 miles, so plan your single stop strategically for fuel or a break. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, budgeting is straightforward. Keep an eye out for potential traffic on I-405 as you transition, as this is a common area for congestion. This route's direct nature means you have flexibility in how you pace your journey.
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 148.7 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 80 miles or 1h 37m 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 Lake Shore, 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 170.3 miles and 3h 22m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 148.7 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
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
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 checkTop up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.7 miles.
Arriving in Lake Shore, WA
The final approach into Lake Shore, 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 Lake Shore, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.64 one way
$71.28 round trip
$5.32/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.58 | $37.38 | $74.76 |
| premium | $5.77 | $38.67 | $77.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.60 | $75.20 |
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 | $17.88 | $8.17 |
| Efficient EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.90 | $6.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.84 | $10.90 |
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.
Destination
Lake Shore, WA
Late night in Lake Shore on Wednesday
Local time
1:21 AM
PDT
Current temp
44°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 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 22m 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 Lake Shore, WA covers 170.3 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, I 405, Northwest 99th Street. 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 $35.64 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 13 significant decision points across 170.3 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 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
The route from Kirkland, WA to Lake Shore, WA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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