Trip from Kirkland, WA to Mead, WA

Data updated 46 minutes ago

Drive Time

5h 29m

Distance

290.6 mi

468 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$61

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 17m ★

6 AM

5h 30m

8 AM

5h 57m

10 AM

5h 39m

12 PM

5h 37m

3 PM

5h 41m

5 PM

5h 55m

8 PM

5h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in King County, Washington, United States

Kirkland, WA

Wikimedia Commons

Mead, WA

Dmytro Glazunov

Trip Overview

Embarking on this 290.6-mile journey from Kirkland, WA, to Mead, WA, will take approximately 5 hours and 29 minutes of driving time. This highway-focused route predominantly utilizes I-90, making it an entirely feasible day trip for most travelers. With a fuel cost estimated around $61, it’s a budget-friendly option for covering ground across Washington's Pacific Coast region. The drive is straightforward, designed for efficient travel, and your single recommended stop is well-placed to break up the longest stretch.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

145.3 miles from Kirkland, WA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highly efficient drive, with 96% of the route being on highways, primarily I-90. The character of this drive is overwhelmingly that of a steady interstate cruise. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch at 272.9 miles on I-90, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. While the North Spokane Corridor is also part of the main roads, the overwhelming majority of your time will be spent on the interstate, offering a predictable and fast-paced experience for covering distance.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 272.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 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 20 significant decision points across 290.6 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 0.1 miles (7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.5 miles (7th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 7th Avenue

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | 7th Avenue

Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | 7th Avenue

Enter roundabout onto 7th Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7.5 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle

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 11 Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle

8 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 90 East: Spokane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 90 East: Spokane

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	272.9 mi	4h 57m
I 405	6 mi	7m
North Spokane Corridor	3.3 mi	4m
North Freya Street	1.4 mi	3m
South Freya Street	1 mi	2m
North Market Street	0.6 mi	1m
North Greene Street	0.6 mi	1m
7th Avenue	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 272.9 mi, about 4h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kirkland, WA and Mead, WA.

Start on 1st Street

399 ft · 16 sec · 1st Street

Turn left onto 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · 7th Avenue

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.3 mi · 52 sec · 7th Avenue

Continue on 7th Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · 7th Avenue

Turn right onto 6th Street

449 ft · 14 sec · 6th Street

Turn left onto Northeast 85th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Northeast 85th Street

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 405 South: Renton Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 405

6.0 mi · 7 min · I 405

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 11 Toward I 90: Spokane, Seattle Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 90 East: Spokane Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 90

268 mi · 4 hr 51 min · I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 90; US 2; US 395

5.3 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 2; US 395

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward Freya Street, Thor Street

Continue on East 3rd Avenue

0.3 mi · 48 sec · East 3rd Avenue

Turn left onto South Freya Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Freya Street

Continue on North Freya Way

0.3 mi · 47 sec · North Freya Way

Continue on North Greene Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Greene Street

Turn right onto East Carlisle Avenue

0.3 mi · 55 sec · East Carlisle Avenue

Turn left onto North Freya Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · North Freya Street

Enter roundabout onto East Wellesley Avenue

234 ft · 13 sec · East Wellesley Avenue

Continue on East Wellesley Avenue

408 ft · 17 sec · East Wellesley Avenue

Enter roundabout

17 ft · 0 sec

Continue

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto Future US 395

3.3 mi · 4 min · North Spokane Corridor

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward East Parksmith Drive

Turn right onto East Parksmith Drive

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Parksmith Drive

Turn left onto North Market Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Market Street

Arrive at destination

North Market Street

Trip Plan

To maximize your time and enjoy a smooth drive, consider departing Kirkland early in the morning. This allows you to get a significant portion of the 290.6 miles completed before midday. With a total duration of just under 5.5 hours, planning for one stop around the halfway point is sufficient for stretching your legs and refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-90, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $61 is helpful for budgeting your expenses.

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 145.3 miles from Kirkland, WA, or about 2h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 272.9 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 145.3 miles or 2h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mead, 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 290.6 miles and 5h 29m.

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 90 for about 272.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 145.3 mi from Kirkland, WA · 2h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Yakima, WA

145 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.

Popular next leg

Yakima, WA to Mead, WA

213.6 mi · 4h 1m

Pacing Suggestions

Monroe, WA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Yakima, WA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.3 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 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 272.9 miles.

Arriving in Mead, WA

The final approach into Mead, 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 Mead, 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

$60.82 one way

$121.64 round trip

$5.32/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.58	$63.78	$127.57
premium	$5.77	$65.99	$131.98
diesel	$5.61	$64.16	$128.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$61

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$86–$111

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.2	1	$30.51	$13.95
Efficient EV	72.7	0	$25.43	$11.62
EV Truck/SUV	116.2	1	$40.68	$18.60

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Kirkland, WA

Night in Kirkland on Tuesday

Local time

11:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mead, WA

Night in Mead on Tuesday

Local time

11:52 PM

PDT

Current temp

54°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

13 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

5h 29m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Mead, WA covers 290.6 miles and takes about 5h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, I 405, North Spokane Corridor. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 145.3 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 $60.82 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.